September 27th, 2023

September 6, 2023

Wednesday September 6, 2023 began Fashion Week with the 2023 Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Couture Council’s annual luncheon at 11:30 AM at the David H. Koch Theater at 20 Lincoln Center Plaza.  90 degrees couldn’t deter 350+ fashionistas paying $2,000-2,500 per ticket. Guests helped raise a staggering $1 million for the FIT Museum.

Presenting sponsor Nordstrom joined Co-Chairs Lara Meiland Shaw and Melissa Mafrige Mithoff along with FIT President and Director Joyce F. Brown and Valerie Steele honoring Gabriela Hearst the Creative Director of Gabriela Hearst and Chloe.

Past honorees have included Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta, Alber Elbaz, Thom Browne, Ralph Rucci, Valentino, and Dries Van Noten.

The crowd included: Martha Stewart, Audrey Gruss, Simone Levinson, Tara Ross, Eleanora Kennedy, Kathy Prounis, Danielle Rollins, Liz Peek, Hilary Geary Ross, Jean Shafiroff, Indre Rockefeller, Karen Klopp, Ali Wentworth, Glenda Bailey, Sharon Jacob, Nicole Miller, Janna Bullock, Susan Fales-Hill, Yaz Hernandez, Rebecca Seawright, Dayssi Kanavos, Fern Mallis, Candace Bushnell, Mark Gilbertson, Ramona Singer, Hal Rubinstein, Zani Gugelmann, Muffie Potter Aston, Meredith Marks, Bronson Van Wyck to name a few.

Hearst received her award and shared the greatest advice she received 20 years ago when someone told her “don’t believe your own hype.” On that humble note guests headed home with a much desired $75 gift card from Nordstrom.

Photos by Annie Watt