SCHMOOZING: K.I.D.S./FASHION DELIVERS GALA

[metaslider id=99455]

K.I.D.S/Fashion Delivers, which donates clothing, furniture, and home goods to over 1,000 community partners throughout the world, held its annual gala at the Museum of Natural History in New York City on Wednesday, November 4. Over 600 guests dined underneath the museum’s famed blue whale, and toured the legendary halls before and after dinner. Centerpieces incorporated knitted gloves that would then be donated to needy children and others. The event raised over $1.75 million for the charity.

Actor Harry Lennix (who co-stars on NBC’s The Blacklist) and NY1 anchor Jessica Abo hosted the gala, which honored Global Brands Group president Dow Famulak; Stuart Brister, president of Wells Fargo Capital Finance’s Commercial Services; and award-winning fashion designer Prabal Gurung, co-founder of Shikshya Foundation Nepal. Guests and presenters included actress Amanda Seyfried, Columbia, South Carolina mayor Stephen K. Benjamin, Allan Ellinger of MMG Advisors, Gary F. Simmons of Gerber Childrenswear LLC, and many industry executives. Soccer great David Beckham saluted Famulak via a special video message.

In his acceptance speech, Gurung thanked the fashion industry for their support of his efforts, which has included helping those who were affected by the recent earthquakes in Nepal, as well as the education of his country’s uneducated youth – especially young females. “I have always believed in the importance of girls’ education,” said Gurung. “Investing in youth is the best possible investment for the future, and I truly believe in a world where someday we will see an equal amount of women in power as men.”