Parson's honors Fern Mallis

THE 10TH ANNUAL PARSONS FASHION STUDIES LINE DEBUT 2009
May 14, 2009

Despite the unpredictable and inclement weather New York had been experiencing, Parsons Graduates (AAS Fashion Studies) debuted their 2009 line on the roof top of Lord & Taylor Thursday, May 14. The forty looks featured had been pre-selected by a jury of industry professionals. Garments were displayed on mannequins and students stood proudly by their ensembles posing for pictures and discussing their vision. The party-like atmosphere implied the student’s relief to be finished with the grueling program and their delight in seeing their hard work rewarded. Simon Collins (Dean, School of Fashion) spoke briefly before turning the floor over to Associate Dean (ACOPS) Pamela Klein, followed by Tamara Albu (Director of Fashion Studies). Albu presented the Stacey Nipps Alumni Award to designer Jen Kao. Kao launched her-high end womenswear line in 2007 and while her pieces focus on the details and integrity of design, they embrace functionality as well. Sarah Creagh was selected as the winner of the CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements Award. Her designs will be showcased in Bloomingdales this fall along with runners up Nicole Neeb and Maria Santos.
The event also honored the Senior V.P. of IMG Fashion and 7th on Sixth founder/organizer Fern Mallis with the first annual AAS (Associate in Applied Science) Icon Award. Notorious womenswear designer Betsey Johnson presented the award to Mallis. After Ms. Albus lengthy and somewhat lackluster oration, Betsey took the stage and her effervescent nature held the anxious audience captive for a short while. When attention spans began to fade, Ms. Johnson managed to quiet the crowd by mentioning that she was hiring and would be taking a very close look at all the garments on display. She admitted her love for the spotlight (as if we didn’t already know), stating that she felt like a rock star when she strutted past the make-up and fragrance on Lord & Taylors main floor, creating quite a buzz. In typical Betsey fashion, she veered from the script she was holding (apparently composed by Fern) and, instead, told stories and anecdotes about Fern, “Ferny” or “Fernsville” – nicknames Johnson came up with on the spot. She admitted that despite much interaction with “Ferny,” she really didn’t know a lot about her and confessed to “Googling” Mallis prior to the evening’s affair. Johnson provided the audience with a bit of trivia, revealing that Ms. Mallis went to High School in Brooklyn and was voted the “best dressed” in her class. She praised Fern regarding her support for designers as well as her charity work for breast cancer (which Betsey battled). I noticed that Fern, who was standing only a few feet from me, dabbed the corner of her eye with a Kleenex -- clearly touched by Betsey’s words.
By the time the guest of honor actually stepped up to the podium, the house was extremely restless. Many people slipped away to the terrace, hunted down cocktails or simply chatted amongst themselves. Unfortunately, the well-written and eloquent speech Mallis prepared didn’t garner the attention it deserved. She talked about the beginning of New York Fashion Week which was, apparently, brought on by a crumbling ceiling at a Michael Kors show back when Naomi and Linda graced the runway. At the time, Mallis had just been hired as executive director of the CFDA. The ceiling incident prompted her to “modernize and centralize” (as she put it) the shows. Fern has been a pioneer for New York fashion for decades and she is solely responsible (well, practically) for putting New York on the world fashion map. The industry is lucky to have such a dedicated and innovative individual. Where would we all be without her? Certainly not at Bryant Park or Lincoln Center (where the shows are moving in September), perhaps there wouldn’t be a Fashion Week at all.
The event was sponsored by Donna Karan Intl., Side by Side Financial and X-Rated Fusion Liquer.

-Stacy Lomman