The end of the school year is an exciting time for colleges, especially its graduates. This year, it has been a strained time as student-led protests over the Israel-Hamas war have dominated attention.

Outside the Parsons 75th annual benefit, which raises funds to help support student financial aid, a medium-sized pro-Palestine protest was taking place, expressing outrage at the school for ostensibly investing in companies that benefit Israel.

(Though the school’s faculty recently voted in favor of divestment). However, inside the event at Cipriani Wall Street, the vibes were feel-good for the accomplishments of the graduates and the honorees — Thom Browne, Bethann Hardison, and J. Crew’s Libby Wadle, each of whom had their connection to the institution that has produced designers such as Anna Sui, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.

Actor, producer, and entrepreneur host Nicole Ari Parker, wearing a charming Marc Jacobs look, kicked off the evening by confessing her gratitude for design industry people who helped support her apparel venture Gymwraps and her enthusiasm at being able to wear a Valentino gown and Philip Treacy hat as her character Serena on ‘And Just Like That’.

The evening was supported by co-chairs Wes Gordon, creative director of Carolina Herrera; Liz Rodbell, president and CEO of Hudson’s Bay; and Gena Smith, chief human resources officer, LVMH Inc.

Boris Kodjoe, an actor and male model and husband to Ari Parker, told the crowd how instrumental Hardison had been in his career thanks to “her vision for a more diverse and equitable industry around the world” and how she nurtured him as “one of her babies’ in her model agencies both when she repped him and after even when he was at another agency.

He also recalled how Hardison was instrumental in his marriage when she told them, “You two belong together; what the ‘F’ are you waiting for.”

The awards ceremony serendipitously took place on the couple’s 19th wedding anniversary as they honored their “personal cupid.”

Hardison recalled how supportive Parsons was when she organized various aspects of the Black Girls coalition and pursuit of equality by recalling Parsons events director, Margo T. Lewis, who helped Hardison create her Fashion Outreach.

“She helped us galvanize that space at Parsons 40th Street, which allowed us to use it for panel discussions with creatives of color who were successful in the industry to gather and have a place of community,” she recalled.

Hardison also noted that Parsons asks her to give monthly panels as part of a symposium on her photography work in the 90s.

“I am happy to be honored to remind me of who I am. You have to live a long time to recognize who you are; I grew up in the garment business and did what I did with grace,” she told the room.

Hardison was further honored by the executive dean of Parsons, Yvonne Watson, who credited her career to Hardison’s trailblazing career as a model, model agency owner, and equality activist to allow her to be visible and heard in the industry.

Current J. Crew creative director Olympia Gayot introduced J. Crew CEO Libby Wadle, who recalled her early days at the popular brand when meetings included discussions of their highly regarded catalogs and the latest color to name and add to their cashmere lineup.

Wadle, dressed in a red cashmere sheath dress designed by a Parsons alum on the J Crew team, conceded that nurturing talent is one of the brand’s secrets to success.

“We know the magic of bringing creative people together and are thrilled to support the next generation of creatives. I believe brands are better when talent is given the space to explore and exercise their creativity, which I try to give our team,” she noted.

Interim president Donna Shalala acknowledged the school’s commitment to tackling its student body’s societal and political issues by giving a shout-out to a recent graduate. Mel Corchado, a 2023 Parsons Fashion Design and Society MFA graduate, CFDA scholar, and current associate designer at Coach, was introduced by Shalala as someone who takes a decolonized approach to fashion. Corchado focuses on sustainable and fair practices through community building, skill sharing, and upcycling practices, among other issues in her work.

In between courses, guests were treated to performances by the Artlex String Quartet from The New School’s College of Performing Arts and The New School’s Gospel Choir.

Alina Cho, a recent CFDA Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard, CBS Sunday Morning contributor and journalist, introduced Browne to accept his award, citing that “compelling characters make the most compelling stories and very few are as compelling my friend Thom Browne. He had a compelling singular idea about how to imagine the classic men’s suit, though in the beginning no one wanted his concept, and look at him now,” she said just before the CFDA chairman came to the stage and accepted his award. His speech was part acceptance speech and part commencement speech.

“Parsons nurtures pure creativity, and it has been my mission to champion creativity first. The future of American fashion is looking so strong; I see true creativity, diversity, and this is what makes American fashion known around the world,” Browne said as he continued, “Every time I get on my pulpit, this is what I say; you have the responsibility to stay true to you your story and vision. If you do this, you will find success, which isn’t measured by fortune and fame but by doing something you love and doing it well. It’s even harder when you are successful,” reminding the audience of his humble beginnings with no formal fashion training.

He relayed how his first collection was neither understood nor liked. “If I can do it, so can you. It’s your responsibility to create the next generation of fashion,” he added.

The evening concluded with a fashion show featuring a select group of BFA students’ work. The evening before the entire class, each showed one look at a show at New York’s Hall des Lumières for a lively 228-look show. At the benefit, a curated group of students—Leo Hsiung, Semi Park, Leo Qian, Elle Gailey, Bashar Abouljoud, Evren Alexander Nelson, Greta Moschata, Laurel Tiange Fang, Sophia K. Shim, Yulu Hou, Yue Tong (Annalyse Fu), Xijia Cheng—displayed their work on mannequins in the room and selected a handful of looks for the runway portion of the evening.

While all displayed talent, some highlights included Park’s watercolor-inspired knits, sculptural athletic-inspired styles from Hou, padded silhouettes from Tong aka Annalyse Fu, elegant distressing from Abouljoud, modern sophistication from Moschata, Hsiung’s desert robe-influenced styles, and Kim’s Broadway-worthy sunburst cape.