The Design for Disability Gala is the culmination of a five-month competition with FIT students designing clothing for women with disabilities, ultimately transforming their fashion experience. The Gala will be a true fashion fête, beginning with a cocktail reception and moving into a seated runway presentation and live auction.
Thom Browne acted as mentor to the students and serves as lead juror along with Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge at The Costume Institute, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ann Roth, Academy, Emmy, TONY award winning CostumeDesigner, Dr. Danielle Sheypuk, Psychologist, Media Commentator Disability-Rights Advocate and Model, and Dr. Alette Coble-Temple, Ms. Wheelchair America 2016.
In the first round of the competition, 35 Fashion Design students presented designs to the Jury. Five finalists were chosen to produce two outfits from their collection. Each finalist is working with two women with disabilities as models and will unveil theirdesigns at the Gala’s runway show. Designs were critiqued on overall design, originality and responsiveness to addressing the needs of women with physicaldisabilities.
Competition Prizes include The Genise Goldenson Prize/First Place Winner: $5,000, Second Place: $2,500, Third Place: $1,500; Two Honorable Mentions: $500. The Genise Goldenson Prize and other financial awards for the Design for Disabilitycompetition have been provided by the Loreen Arbus Foundation.
Additional guests to include: Richard Ellenson, CEO of CPF, Alina Cho, Actor Micah Fowler, Jill Stuart, Kelly Bensimon, Malan Breton, Michael Hainey and Brooke Cundiff, Mo Rocca, Dominico DeSole, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Jean Shafiroff, Countess Nathalie von Bismarck, Donna Hanover, and Randle Doss.
Event Details:
Monday, May 16, 2016
6:30 pm VIP Champagne/ Pre-Reception
7:00 pm Reception
8:00 pm Runway Show
