NEW YORK — “It’s the longest night in fashion. It really is. That’s what everyone says. I was warned.”
So said Ruben Toledo good-naturedly at the Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars Thursday at Cipriani’s Wall Street — and that was before the nine awards were doled out. Like scores of other attendees, Toledo, who illustrated the event’s programs, wouldn’t have missed the chance to present a united front. To bide the time, some smartphone-armed guests orbited presenters like Kim Kardashian West, Kanye West, Laverne Cox and Christy Turlington Burns. Vera Wang and Owens’ wife Michèle Lamy were other magnets of attraction. Others snuck back to the since-vacated step-and-repeat for their own selfies.
Despite the tick-tock pace, the annual gala had more to salute than Superstar Rick Owens, Fashion Legend Ralph Rucci, Fashion Star Brandon Maxwell, Trailblazer Iman and five other honorees.
True to the chaotic times, a simple few words of thanks would have been insufficient for some winners, and presenters, too. As a result, the crowd got an earful about gender, the climate crisis, wage equity, health care, inclusivity, diversity, sustainability, philanthropy, mentoring and unbridled creativity, among other talking points. It was a lot to process. There were also numerous salutes
So said Ruben Toledo good-naturedly at the Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars Thursday at Cipriani’s Wall Street — and that was before the nine awards were doled out. Like scores of other attendees, Toledo, who illustrated the event’s programs, wouldn’t have missed the chance to present a united front. To bide the time, some smartphone-armed guests orbited presenters like Kim Kardashian West, Kanye West, Laverne Cox and Christy Turlington Burns. Vera Wang and Owens’ wife Michèle Lamy were other magnets of attraction. Others snuck back to the since-vacated step-and-repeat for their own selfies.
Despite the tick-tock pace, the annual gala had more to salute than Superstar Rick Owens, Fashion Legend Ralph Rucci, Fashion Star Brandon Maxwell, Trailblazer Iman and five other honorees.
True to the chaotic times, a simple few words of thanks would have been insufficient for some winners, and presenters, too. As a result, the crowd got an earful about gender, the climate crisis, wage equity, health care, inclusivity, diversity, sustainability, philanthropy, mentoring and unbridled creativity, among other talking points. It was a lot to process. There were also numerous salutes