NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP CEO GEOFFROY VAN RAEMDONCK HONORED AT THE 74TH ANNUAL PARSONS BENEFIT

by John Russel Jones

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Chief Executive Officer,  of Neiman Marcus Group was honored with the Parsons Table Award at the 74th annual Parsons Benefit alongside Naomi Campbell and Olivier Rousteing, creative director at Balmain on Wednesday evening at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The Parsons Table Award recognizes visionaries for significant contributions to design, retail, fashion, philanthropy, and social justice. Recipients are also honored for their long-standing commitment to supporting and creating opportunities for future generations of artists, designers, and creatives.

“I am humbled to receive recognition from the prestigious Parsons School of Design,” said Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Chief Executive Officer of NMG. “I believe it is not what we do that will be remembered, but how we do it. We Lead with Love in everything we do at NMG. I am grateful for the opportunity to champion values-led leadership in our industry.”

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, CEO of Neiman Marcus Group, Renee White, Provost of The New School, Dwight McBride, President of The New School, Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain, at the 74th Annual Parsons Benefit

The Parsons Benefit is an annual celebration that convenes a highly esteemed group of industry leaders and Parsons alumni. The event highlights the impressive work of its students and honors individuals that have made a noteworthy and inspirational impact on the industry.

NMG leveraged its deep relationships with brand partners to raise more than $600,000. The donations will benefit the Joseph and Gail Gromek Institute for Fashion Business at Parsons School of Design. The Gromek Institute helps prepare and equip students and recent graduates by connecting them with industry. The aim is to prepare students to work in the business of fashion and provide equitable opportunities through various initiatives including scholarships, grants, internships, mentorships, fellowships, and masterclasses by covering costs that are often excluded from academic scholarships.

“We are so thrilled Neiman Marcus Group partnered with the Gromek Institute for Fashion Business at Parsons to join in our efforts to support the next generation of fashion design talent to thrive beyond the classroom. There are so many talented students that have done the work to be able to attend Parsons School of Design but struggle covering basic expenses of living in New York City that are not included in academic scholarships,” said Abrima Erwiah, Professor and Director of the Gromek Institute for Fashion Business at Parsons. “Through this partnership, students will be able to access much-needed financial and industry resources to help develop and apply their ideas. I am excited to see what student and recent graduate projects will emerge through this unique opportunity.”

Geoffroy van Raemdonck and Carolina Herrera at the 74th Annual Parsons Benefit

The funds raised included a donation from The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. NMG also awarded two Parsons students with a $10,000 scholarship through a new, cobranded NMG x Fashion Scholarship Fund that supports studies in sustainable and ethical fashion. This week, the company hosted Parsons students at Bergdorf Goodman for a career panel with NMG leaders.

“The students captivated us with creative and bold questions about the future of luxury fashion,” explained Melissa Xides, Chief Retail Officer of Bergdorf Goodman and one of the panelists. “It was a privilege to welcome emerging fashion leaders for an engaging dialogue with some of our existing leaders.