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Parsons Honors Diane von Furstenberg and Howard Socol
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| Howard Socol and Diane von Furstenberg |
NEW YORK, April 29, 2008—Parsons The New School for Design honored Diane von Furstenberg, designer and President of CFDA, and Howard Socol, the chairman and CEO of Barneys New York, at its 60th Annual Benefit and Fashion Show at the Grand Hyatt New York last evening. At the event, Diane von Furstenberg announced a gift of $250,000 to fund a new scholarship in the fashion school at Parsons. The event raised nearly $2 million for scholarships and academic programs at Parsons, a leader in design education in disciplines ranging from fashion design to communication design and technology, product design, interior design, architecture, photography, fine art and more. Designer Alber Elbaz and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper will present the honors to Howard Socol and Diane von Furstenberg, respectively.
Each year, the event celebrates visionaries who have significantly contributed to the field of fashion design, as well as showcasing graduating students of Parsons acclaimed fashion design program through a show of the top thesis collections. “Diane von Furstenberg is a true American fashion icon and Howard Socol has led Barneys to enormous success,” said New School President Bob Kerrey. “We strive to prepare our students to be both designers and entrepreneurs, so it is fitting that we honor two people who embody this balance of creativity and business savvy. In addition to the overwhelming support of both Howard and Diane in helping us achieve such success this evening, we are truly grateful to Diane for her generous gift to fund a scholarship at Parsons.”
In addition to being a celebrated fashion designer and businesswoman, Ms. von Furstenberg currently serves as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “I am grateful to be recognized by Parsons, a school that sets the bar for fashion design education,” said Ms. von Furstenberg, whose eponymous clothing line is sold in retail boutiques throughout the world. “The CFDA has long recognized the promise of Parsons students and recent alumni through our scholarship and award programs, and these designers have gone on to make important contributions to the world of fashion.”
Since taking the top job at Barneys in 2001, Mr. Socol has overseen the company’s extraordinary growth and renewed its support of fledgling designers. “Since launching Proenza Schouler’s line in 2002, Barneys has been committed to promoting and nurturing Parsons talent,” said Mr. Socol. “I’m grateful for the recognition, and I look forward to seeing what this next class of designers can do.”
With the launch of the first fashion design program in America in 1906, Parsons is credited with giving birth to Seventh Avenue, the epicenter of American fashion. Parsons offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and Associate Degrees in Fashion Studies and Fashion Marketing, and is developing a Master of Fine Arts Program in Fashion Design and Society that was initiated through an endowed professorship by Parsons alumna Donna Karan. Other notable alumni of the program include the design legends Adrian, Claire McCardell and Norman Norell; industry leaders Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Isaac Mizrahi, Narciso Rodriguez and Anna Sui; and rising talents Chris Benz, Doo.Ri, Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler, Behnaz Sarafpour, Peter Som, Vena Cava, and Ashleigh Verrier.
A highlight of the benefit is a fashion show featuring the best of the graduating student collections, including the much-anticipated Designers of the Year in Womenswear, Menswear, and Childrenswear. “The fashion show is an opportunity for the students to put their talents on display for some of the most influential people in the fashion design industry,” said Parsons Dean Tim Marshall. “It gives students a platform to promote their creative visions while showcasing the unparalleled design education that Parsons offers.”
The runway show has helped launch the careers of some of Parsons’ most talented alumni, including 2004 honoree Marc Jacobs '84; Jack McCollough ’02 and Lazaro Hernandez ’02 of Proenza Schouler, co-winner of the CFDA 2007 Womenswear Designer of the Year Award; and Doo-Ri Chung ’95, winner of the 2006 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and the CFDA 2006 Swarovski’s Perry Ellis Award for Emerging Talent. As in the past several years running, Saks Fifth Avenue will once again present selections from the award-winning collections in the windows of its flagship store, starting May 14.
This year's Designers of the Year are: Womenswear Designer of the Year Stephanie Suberville, 22, of Monterrey, Mexico, who designed a dark and romantic collection inspired by the life of the artist Frida Kahlo; Menswear Designer of the Year Aiden Yoo, 24, of Korea, who created a collection inspired by the idea of a young boy wearing his father's suit; and Childrenswear Designer of the Year Nayeon Lee, 21, of San Diego, California, whose bright and playful collection was inspired by the forms and colors of poisonous frogs.
About the Honorees
Diane von Furstenberg came on the fashion scene in 1972, and quickly established herself with her signature piece—the Wrap dress. In the ensuing years, Ms. Von Furstenberg has solidified her place as a fashion icon, becoming one of the world’s most revered. In 1997, she established DVF Studio, a designer atelier in New York’s Meatpacking district. Today, DVF has expanded to a full, comprehensive line of ready-to-wear, swimwear, accessories, Diane von Furstenberg by H.Stern fine jewelry, and luggage as well as a partnership with the Rug Company. The collection is sold in 22 freestanding DVF boutiques worldwide and in specialty stores in over 56 countries. In 2005, Ms. Von Furstenberg was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and in 2006 she was elected CFDA’s president. Ms. Von Furstenberg serves on the board of directors of the IAC, Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Houseatonic Valley Association and played a major role in saving New York City’s historic High Line.
Howard Socol has been the chairman and chief executive officer of Barneys New York since 2001. He is credited with guiding Barneys New York back to prosperity after the company emerged from bankruptcy in 1999, initiating and overseeing a national expansion which has doubled the company sales volume. Since joining Barneys New York, Mr. Socol has overseen a number of creative campaigns and philanthropic causes ranging from the arts to the environment. In 2007 Barneys New York became the first luxury retailer to embrace the green movement with a company-wide “Have a Green Holiday!” campaign. Back in 2006 Barneys New York’s windows celebrated the genius of Andy Warhol during the successful “Happy Andy Warholidays!” campaign in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation. Under Mr. Socol’s leadership, Barneys New York has supported a long list of emerging designers by co-sponsoring the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund awards since they were established in 2003. As part of this program, Mr. Socol has recently been tapped to serve as a business mentor to one of the 2007 award winners.
Benefit Committees
Lead supporters to date include Executive Committee: Arnold Aronson; Jane Elfers; Ronald Frasch; Joseph Gromek; Donna Karan; Reed Krakoff; Steven Sadove; Denise V. Seegal; Marvin Traub; Chair: Sheila C. Johnson; Dinner Chairs: Cordell Spencer and Elizabeth Canino; David B. Ford; High Fashion Garments Inc.; Istithmar World; Jones Apparel Group, Inc.; Benefit Chairs: A|X Armani Exchange; Allen & Company Incorporated; Barneys New York; Dominique Bluhdorn; Condé Nast, Diane von Furstenberg; The Esteé Lauder Companies Inc.; General Growth Properties, Inc. and Las Vegas Sands Corporation; GUCCI; Hugo Boss; Liz Claiborne Inc.; Lord & Taylor; Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s; Net-A-Porter.Com; Susan D. Plagemann, Marie Claire; Polo Ralph Lauren; Robert C. Skinner, Jr., Kellwood Company; VF Corporation; Warnaco Inc.; Benefit Steering Committee: Arnold H. Aronson, Managing Director of Retail Strategies, Kurt Salmon Associates; Joseph R. Gromek, President and CEO, Warnaco Inc.; Paul F. Rosengard, Group President, Premium Brands, Perry Ellis International, Inc.; Denise V. Seegal, President & CEO, Nautica; Carmela Spinelli, Chief Creative Officer, Three Wildcats LLC; and Marvin Traub, President, Marvin Traub Associates, Inc.
About Parsons The New School for Design
Located in the heart of New York City, Parsons The New School for Design is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive institutions of art and design in the world. Parsons has been a pioneer in the field of art and design since its founding in 1896, establishing the first programs in Interior Design, Advertising and Graphic Design, and Fashion Design in the nation and being an early pioneer in Design and Technology. This visionary leadership has led to five generations of graduates who are some of the most highly recognized individuals in their fields. Today, Parsons focuses on creating engaged citizens and exceptional artists, designers, scholars, and business leaders through a design-based education. Parsons students learn to rise to the challenges of living, working, and creative decision-making in a world where human experience is increasingly designed. As a vital part of The New School, Parsons is forging new ground at the intersection of design and the social sciences. Embracing the principles of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and social responsibility, the Parsons curriculum engages students with a critical awareness of complex social issues such as sustainability and globalization. For more information, please contact www.parsons.newschool.edu.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: For a printable, downloadable press release, please CLICK HERE.
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