Parsons 2013 fashion benefit to Honor BONNIE BROOKS and PROENZA SCHOULER's JACK MCCOLLOUGH and LAZARO HERNANDEZ |
NEW YORK, February 4, 2013—Parsons The New School for Design has announced that it will honor Bonnie Brooks, President of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and Parsons alumni Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler at the 2013 Parsons Fashion Benefit, taking place May 22 at Chelsea Piers. The Parsons Fashion Benefit, now in its 65th year, raises funds for scholarships at Parsons, a global leader in art and design education with programs that span the disciplines. Brooks, McCollough and Hernandez are being recognized for their significant contributions to the field. Past honorees include Donna Karan, Reed Krakoff, Francisco Costa, Diane von Furstenberg, and Marc Jacobs. A highlight of the Fashion Benefit is the runway show of select collections by graduating students, and the naming of the Designers of the Year. In 2002, McCollough and Hernandez received this honor for their collection—which was purchased off the runway by Barneys New York—as Marc Jacobs did in his graduating year. "Bonnie sets an example for our students of a fashion industry leader who has risen to the top of her field, revitalizing major retailers from North America to Asia. Her deep commitment to design and creativity reflect the core values of our school,” said Parsons Executive Dean Joel Towers. "Jack and Lazaro’s ability to transform their thesis collection into one of today’s most successful fashion labels is an unparalleled success story. It demonstrates the keen design talent and entrepreneurial instincts we strive to foster in our curriculum.” Brooks serves as President of the Hudson’s Bay Company, where she oversees Lord & Taylor in the U.S. and The Bay in Canada, two of North America’s most iconic department stores. Prior to her current role, she was President and CEO of The Bay. She has spent her career building high-end retail names across the world, and previously spearheaded the turnaround and revitalization of Asia’s Lane Crawford as president of the Lane Crawford Joyce Group. In this role, Brooks brought many of the world’s leading brands into Greater China and Southeast Asia. Since joining the Hudson’s Bay Company, Ms. Brooks has collectively raised more than $17 million for charitable organizations. Monocle magazine has recognized her as one of the top 25 retailers in the world; and Fast Company has named her one of the world’s 100 Most Creative People in Business. “I am incredibly impressed by the talent at Parsons, and honored to be part of this event to help raise scholarship funds,” said Brooks. “Cultivating and supporting emerging designers is a passion of mine, and this event will offer opportunities for generations to come.” Proenza Schouler is a New York-based womenswear and accessories brand founded in 2002 by designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The duo met while studying at Parsons, eventually collaborating on an award-winning thesis that became their first collection as Proenza Schouler. Awarded with the inaugural CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2004, the emerging brand was established as a leading talent in the industry. Three years later, Proenza Schouler was honored with the 2007 CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, which was awarded to the label again in 2011. In September 2012, Proenza Schouler opened its first store in one of the most significant retail destinations in the world, New York’s Madison Avenue, in a space designed by architect David Adjaye. Proenza Schouler is sold in over 100 of the most exclusive retail outlets worldwide, including Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Harvey Nichols, Colette and Joyce. Said McCollough and Hernandez: "Parsons gave us our start in the industry, and to be able to help future designers is incredibly important to us. We are particularly excited to be honored with Bonnie, who has been such a support to us in our career, as well as to a number of young designers.” Since their time as students at Parsons, McCollough and Hernandez have remained connected to the school, meeting with students and participating in a conversation series with Simon Collins, dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons. Said Collins: “It is terrific to honor Jack and Lazaro at the Parsons Fashion Benefit, which will serve as a full circle in many ways. For our students to see what they have been able to achieve in such as short time is inspirational. At the same time, Jack and Lazaro will view the next generation, as we debut 2013 thesis collections on the very same stage that launched their careers.” For more information, please visit www.newschool.edu/parsonsbenefit. Parsons The New School for Design is a global leader in design education, with programs that span the disciplines of design and the fine arts. With the launch of its fashion design program in 1906, Parsons is credited with the rise of Seventh Avenue, the epicenter of American fashion. Parsons offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design, Associate degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing, and a Master of Fine Arts Program in Fashion Design and Society initiated through the support of Parsons alumna Donna Karan. Parsons has educated generations of leading American fashion designers, including Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Isaac Mizrahi, Tracy Reese, Narciso Rodriguez, Anna Sui, Prabal Gurung, Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler, Vena Cava, Alexander Wang, and Jason Wu. For more information, visit www.newschool.edu/parsons. # # # |
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Media Contacts: Deborah Kirschner
Chris Chafin |
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