FIT ANNUAL GALA
APR | 14 | 26
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
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
Official After-Party Experience Partner
Snapchat becomes the primary platform powering how the after party is experienced, captured, and shared—both in the room and beyond.
This partnership positions Snapchat at the intersection of culture, creativity, and the future of fashion.
Signature Snapchat Activations
All gala guests are invited to continue the evening at the after party, taking place from 6–11 p.m.
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Custom FIT Gala AR Lens (Hero Activation)
Bespoke Snapchat AR Lens designed in collaboration with FIT students
Lens incorporates Gala creative, event theme, and subtle co‑branding
Accessible via QR codes throughout the after party
Generates organic sharing, discovery, and measurable engagement
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Snapchat Content Lounge
Elevated, design‑driven capture space (not a traditional photo booth)
Optimized lighting and digital moments for Snapchat Stories & Spotlight
Encourages authentic, spontaneous content creation
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Creator & Behind‑the‑Scenes Coverage
2–3 Snap‑native fashion/beauty/culture creators
Exclusive behind‑the‑scenes after‑party storytelling on Snapchat
Highlights fashion, music, art, and student moments
Student & Talent Integration
Snapchat access to emerging FIT creatives through AR, content, or live experiences
Opportunity to underwrite a Snapchat Student Creative Prize or Scholarship
Students credited and celebrated across FIT and Snapchat channels
What Snapchat Receives
Naming rights:
FIT Gala Afterparty, Powered by SnapchatRecognized as an official after-party sponsor, with category exclusivity with Snapchat receiving visibility across the entire event.
Custom AR Lens with post‑event performance metrics
Prominent on‑site branding (premium placement)
Exclusive content capture & creator storytelling rights
Access to a high‑value audience across fashion, beauty, retail, and tech
Strong PR narrative centered on creativity, innovation, and emerging talent
VIP After Party access for Snapchat’s leadership
Let’s design a custom opportunity that builds an ongoing bridge between your objectives and FIT’s mission.
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.
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.
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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.