FIT ANNUAL GALA
APR | 14 | 26
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Power of FIT
FIT helped define New York City as the fashion capital of the U.S.
We created a talent pipeline for 7th Avenue’s garment district, and then for the contemporary luxury, streetwear, and creative tech industries.
The Museum at FIT influences fashion scholarships worldwide through exhibitions that reinterpret style, identity, and culture.
FIT is one of the few institutions that treats fashion as both
art form and industry.
Through the Foundation:
$1.5 MILLION
Awarded in
scholarships in 2026
350+
Scholarships awarded
in 2026
90,000
Total alumni
FIT is a major economic engine for both NYC and the fashion and creative industries, and graduates feed every sector:
Animation & Game Design
Apparel manufacturing
Beauty & Fragrance
Fashion Design
Footwear & Accessories Design
Illustration
Interior Design
Retail leadership
Textile innovation
Toy Design
Trend forecasting
Employers from LVMH to Macy’s actively recruit with FIT—our students are powerhouses of vibrant creative expression, global impact, and predictors whose influence moves markets.
The opportunity to partner with our FIT Annual Gala is one of legacy, ingenuity, and support for a creative class who deserves the tools to continue to drive the cutting edge of the fashion industry and beyond.
“
FIT is the heartbeat of New York’s fashion ecosystem—an engine of talent, innovation, and cultural relevance. I serve on its board because the future of our industry is being built in those classrooms, and I want to help ensure that every brilliant, diverse creative has the chance to shape what comes next.
”
— FERN MALLIS
Supporting the FIT Annual Gala
Supporting the FIT Annual Gala helps:
Funds scholarships that allow diverse, talented students to attend and thrive at FIT.
Strengthens the Museum at FIT, preserving fashion history and producing world-class exhibitions.
Supports a top public fashion institution with cutting-edge labs, technology, and faculty.
Powers NYC’s creative economy by developing the next generation of designers, artists, and industry leaders.
Fuels innovation in sustainability, materials research, digital fashion, and beauty.
Expands access, equity, and industry opportunities for underrepresented creatives.
A Measure of Our Threads of Impact
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Calvin Klein
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Michael Kors
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Norma Kamali
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Nina García
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Laverne Cox
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David Chu
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Ralph Rucci
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Bibhu Mohapatra
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Tony Chi
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Leslie Blodgett
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Suzanne Tick
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Daniel Roseberry
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Randy Fenoli
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Ivy Ross
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Dorothy Cosonas
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Zaldy Goco
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Jesse Carrier & Mara Miller
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William Frake
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Stephen A. Smith
Together, these FIT alumni have shaped global fashion, beauty, media, and design industries—building multibillion-dollar brands, driving cultural trends, and powering major segments of the creative economy.
By supporting the FIT Annual Gala,
you are building tomorrow’s important leaders.
Previous FIT Annual Gala Honorees:
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Dr. Joyce F. Brown
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Rebecca Hessel Cohen
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Kenneth Cole
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Norma Kamali
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Victor Glemaud
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Karlie Kloss
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Ashley Graham
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Debra Martin Chase
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Brandice Daniel
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Serena Williams
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Eileen Fisher
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Nadja Swarovski
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Aerin Lauder
ABOUT THE NIGHT
The Venue
The Cathedral of
St. John the Divine
Chosen for its breathtaking scale and profound sense of inclusivity, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is more than a venue—it is a living testament to creativity, culture, and community.
Its soaring architecture and longstanding tradition of hosting transformative art, fashion, and humanitarian events mirror the very essence of the FIT Foundation’s mission: where design carries purpose, innovation uplifts humanity, and creativity becomes a force for change.
Beneath its iconic vaulted ceilings, we gather in a space that honors vision, celebrates diversity, and reflects the boundless possibility of the future we are shaping together.
The Guest List:
The guest list brings together leading designers, fashion executives, creatives, and cultural influencers who shape the industry’s direction.
Past attendees reflect a mix of top talent and decision-makers, making the room a powerful hub of innovation.
The event will include:
A live auction of rare, bespoke experiences from top fashion houses and luxury brands
Opportunities to connect with influential leaders and innovators
Exclusive gifts for attendees
Moving tributes that celebrate creativity and purpose
Engaging brand experiences
Access to FIT’s dynamic, emerging student creators
A deeper look into the college’s mission, vision, and plans
Gala Co-Chairs
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Is a seasoned brand and retail leader known for building high-performing teams and driving strong, customer-focused growth across both global corporations and emerging brands.
As a Senior Strategic Advisor for Multimedia Plus, she develops digital training and communication strategies that elevate employee engagement and enhance the customer experience, while also supporting Apple’s brand standards and volunteer initiatives throughout New York City.
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Creative director, designer, and curator celebrated for her immersive approach to design, hospitality, and cultural programming. She began her career in contemporary art before evolving into a distinctive interior design and hospitality visionary. As the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Palm Heights and Creative Director at WSA, she has built brands blending design, art, fashion, food, wellness, and community into spaces that feel both elevated and deeply connected.
Today, she continues to shape the future of hospitality and design with projects that merge beauty, cultural resonance, and human connection.
Creative Partnership Opportunities
Haute Luminary Partner
$150,000 – $300,000
An immersive, all-access partnership that puts your brand at the center of FIT’s creative future.
Includes:
Curated session with FIT’s top student innovators
Private salon with a fashion luminary and the Gala co-chairs
Exclusive forecasting briefing with a leading FIT trend and culture professor
Premier seating, stage recognition, and custom brand visibility throughout the Gala and afterparty
Runway Advocate
$25,000–$50,000
A celebratory partnership connecting you to FIT talent and Gala leadership.
Includes:
Meet-and-greet with rising FIT creatives
Small-group Q&A with a forecasting professor
A warm introduction to the Gala co-chairs
Premier table, afterparty access, and brand acknowledgment
After Party Sponsor
$75,000 - $100,000
Sole afterparty Sponsor of the FIT Annual Gala
Brand recognized as the presenting partner of the official post-gala celebration
Opportunity to align the afterparty experience with the sponsor’s brand DNA (music, ambiance, and activations)
Prominent logo placement at the afterparty entrance and within the celebration space
Branded moment or activation (e.g., signature bar, lounge area, DJ booth, photo moment, or immersive experience)
Opportunity for step-and-repeat or branded photo opportunity during the afterparty
Verbal recognition during the gala program and/or transition to the afterparty
One premier table of 10 with prime placement
Style Icon Champion
$50,000–$150,000
A high-touch experience designed for brands who want deep engagement across the FIT community.
Includes:
Roundtable with select FIT students
Cocktail-style conversation with Fern Mallis
Priority access to trend insights from an FIT forecasting expert
Preferred seating, recognition during the program, and curated brand touchpoints
Lounge Experience Partner
$15,000
Bring your brand to life inside an immersive hospitality space at the Gala.
Includes:
Interactive lounge activation
Optional brief mentoring moment with FIT student ambassadors
Brand presence across the event zone