PARSONS BENEFIT TO HONOR EVERLANE’S MICHAEL PREYSMAN, PHARRELL WILLIAMS

by Stephen Garner
Top: Julie Wainwright, The RealReal; Katrina Lake, Stitch Fix
Bottom: Michael Preysman, Everlane; Pharrell Williams

The New School will host the 71st annual Parsons Benefit, honoring visionary figures in fashion, technology and the arts that embody the university’s commitment to creativity, innovation, and sustainability.

The evening recognizes acclaimed singer, songwriter, artist and designer Pharrell Williams; Julie Wainwright, founder and CEO of The RealReal; and Katrina Lake, founder and CEO of Stitch Fix with the Parsons Table Award, and Michael Preysman, founder and CEO of Everlane, with the Frank Alvah Parsons Award. The Parsons Benefit will take place on May 20, 2019 at Pier Sixty in New York.

These honorees will be celebrated for their numerous contributions to fashion, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, as well as their deep commitment to supporting future generations of artists and designers.

Parsons hosts the Parsons Benefit each year to present and empower the next generation of fashion designers and to raise instrumental funds for student scholarships. Donors’ generosity through the Benefit supports education that enables students to pursue studies in art, design, liberal arts, music, technology, and social innovation.

“We are thrilled to be honoring Pharrell for his substantial contributions to the music and fashion industries and The RealReal, Stitch Fix, and Everlane for their unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability in fashion,” said Joel Towers, executive dean of Parsons School of Design. “Parsons was founded upon the idea that design can change the world, and these exceptional honorees are reimagining the creative and commercial landscape in a way that will positively impact the industry for years to come.”

“We have fundamentally changed our curriculum at Parsons in order to train students to embed sustainable and ethical fashion perspectives and practices into their work,” added Burak Cakmak, dean of fashion at Parsons. “Our honorees are constantly expanding and redefining what it means to be an innovative, responsible, and values-driven company, and we are proud to recognize these industry leaders, who share the Parsons vision that design can address and solve pressing problems.”