Parsons To Honor Reed Krakoff At 2011 Fashion Benefit |
NEW YORK, September 30, 2010—Parsons The New School for Design has announced that Reed Krakoff, an alumnus and board member of the school, will be honored at the 2011 Parsons Fashion Benefit. Now in its 63rd year, this event honors visionaries who have significantly contributed to the design world. Previous honorees include Vera Wang, Francisco Costa, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Marc Jacobs. The benefit, which raises funds for programs and scholarships at Parsons, a global leader in design education in a range of art and design disciplines, will be held on May 9, 2011 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. "Throughout his career, Reed has fluently navigated the creative and business sides of the industry," said Joel Towers, dean of Parsons. "His understanding of how to build a brand that resonates with contemporary audiences is a model for our students." A designer whose work embodies modern American fashion, Krakoff began his career at Anne Klein and Ralph Lauren, and recently launched an eponymous line of women's ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, jewelry and eyewear. With an emphasis on utility and sensuality, the collection aims to redefine the notion of American sportswear. Krakoff currently serves as President and Executive Creative Director of Reed Krakoff and the iconic accessories brand Coach. "To have the chance to improve and advance the future of an aspiring designer means so much to me," said Krakoff. "It was my education at Parsons that prepared me with the tools to succeed in this business and I can't think of a better way to give back to the fashion community than by providing others with the same opportunity." Krakoff's contributions to the industry have been recognized with such distinctions as being elected vice president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and the CFDA award for Accessories Designer of the Year (given to him in both 2001 and 2004 for his Coach designs). He is also a photographer whose work has been exhibited in New York and Tokyo and has appeared in magazines including Elle Décor, Town & Country, and Interview. He has also published several books of his photography, including Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne, Fighter: The Ultimate Fighters of the UFC, and Mattia Bonetti. Krakoff is a passionate patron and supporter of the arts and is closely involved with the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. In addition to his serving on the board at Parsons, he is also a mentor to young designers participating in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. |
|
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 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 in Fashion Design, Associate Degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing, and a Master of Fine Arts Program in Fashion Design and Society that was 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, Narciso Rodriguez and Anna Sui; and rising talents Prabal Gurung, Derek Lam, Ohne Titel, Thakoon Paniguchal, Proenza Schouler, Vena Cava, Alexander Wang, and Jason Wu. For more information, visit www.newschool.edu/parsons. |
 |
COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS |
| 79 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003 www.newschool.edu |
PRESS RELEASE |
Media Contacts: Deborah Kirschner Kate McCormick |
|