Saturday, May 4, 2013

FIT Cocktail Party: Celebrating FIT's 2013 Gala Honorees George Kaufman, Kay Krill and Stefano Tonchi

Hamish Bowles, International Editor at Large of Vogue and me
Photo Credit:
 © Grayson Dantzic 

The FIT Cocktail Party was an Upper East Side affair to remember. The soiree took place at Liz and Jeff Peek’s breathtaking palatial apartment on Park Avenue in celebration of the 2013 FIT Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner Honorees George KaufmanKay Krill and Stefano Tonchi.

Liz Peek, chairwoman of FIT's board of trustees hosted the event alongside Pamela Baxter, Joy Herfel Cronin, Julie Greiner, Yaz Hernandez and Jane Hudis. It was a very intimate reception with only 100 invited guests that ranged from the crème de la crème of top designers, editors, photographers and socialites. 

Guests included: Teri Agins, Yigal Azrouel, Hamish Bowles, Dennis Basso, Mario Buatta, Judy Byrd, Maria Cornejo, Amy Fine Collins, Carole Divet Harting, Chris Del Gatto, Joel Frank, Linda Fargo, Michele Gerber Klein, Eleanora Kennedy, Chiu-Ti Jansen, Richard Lambertson, Alexandra Lebenthal, Larry Leeds, Julie Macklowe, Tamara & Minty Mellon, Jonathan Pomerantz, Darcy Rigas, Pete Scotese, Angel Sanchez. Jean Shafiroff, Michael Stanley, Jill Stuart, Daniel Silver & Steven Cox, Carlo Tunioli, Elizabeth and Albert Watson and Veronica Webb.

Special guests Stefano Tonchi and Catherine Fisher, VP Corporate Communications at Ann Inc. also attended the reception.

The FIT Foundation was started in 1944, when apparel industry leaders obtained a charter to establish a “fashion institute of design and technology.” The Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation was born, to nurture and educate the future leaders of the fashion industry.

The FIT Foundation still serves as an advisory and fundraising body to FIT. The special relationship between the college and foundation creates valuable opportunities to share knowledge and experience. Board members, who include today's leaders and innovators, serve on panels and appear as special lecturers, enabling students to meet outstanding representatives from the fields of industrial production, labor, design, merchandising, and the arts.

Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

A permanent smile illuminated my face as soon as I walked into the event. It was a very special experience for me to be invited as press and even more so as an alumni of FIT. It was only a few years ago that I sitting in an FIT classroom among many other talented peers; day dreaming of where my career would lead me after fashion school. As I looked around the room at all of the noted fashion guests and socialites I couldn't help feeling a sense of accomplishment in coming full circle. I started as just an FIT student with big dreams and now I was standing as an invited guest at a very exclusive soiree for my alma mater. 

Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

My evening wouldn't have been the same if it wasn't for THEIA, the Greek Goddess inspired evening-wear company. They dressed me in a lovely jewel encrusted Grecian dress. THEIA is fabricated with the finest European brocades, silks and prints, embellished with couture beading and embroideries. 
Each piece is meticulously stitched together to create exquisite gowns and cocktail dresses that flow beautifully around the body. 

What made this dress extra special was the fact that it was worn by singer Carrie Underwood to the AMAS. The remaining sunshine of the day made my THEIA dress sparkle like diamonds. I tried to add an old Hollywood touch to the look by adding nude shoes and a bright red lipstick with side swept hair. 

Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

While taking in the nice Spring weather on the spacious outside terrace I spotted the lovely Ms. Tia Walker, Publisher of The Quest for “It”. I always see her at fashion events but most recently had a chance to meet her in person. She looked absolutely lovely in her yellow petal dress which ironically was also by THEIA. It's probably a bias comment but I think our THEIA dresses were some of the most scene stealing looks of the evening! 

Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

Horderves were being passed around the room and the champagne was flowing. The Russian part of me was most excited for the above mini caviar sampler which included three different types of caviar. Yum, yum! 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

One of the highlights of my evening was chatting with the legendary Hamish Bowles, International Editor at Large of Vogue. I met him once before at New York Fashion Week but we didn’t get a chance to really connect until now. He was truly one of the most cordial, worldly yet down to earth people that I've ever met in my life. 

Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
I also had a chance to meet the always glamorous Ms. Linda Fargo, Bergdorf's SVP. Linda is truly an example of a fashion power woman. I've admired her work in fashion for the longest time so naturally, meeting her in person was just a complete dream come true!


My evening was complete with a chat with Mrs. Liz Peekthe ever so charming hostess of the party and Jonathan Marder, President of Jonathan Marder & Company. 

Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

A special thanks to Grayson Dantzic, the super talented photographer who took these photographs. Grayson has such an affinity for capturing people’s emotions as well as the mood of the event. The photos he shot tell a story of the evening better than I could ever write or describe. 

Check out more of his work on www.graysondantzic.com

Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company

Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company

Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: Jonathan Ziegler/ Patrick McMullan Company
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

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