All about the 2020 Parsons Paris Benefit
Parsons Paris hosted its inaugural fundraising Benefit in Paris, France, on January 22, 2020. The gala benefit honored designer and former Lanvin Creative Director Alber Elbaz for his extraordinary commitment to empowering women through fashion. Parsons Paris also recognized the far-reaching contributions of its Advisory Board, which was formed last year to foster and advance the School’s distinct educational mission. The funds raised at the event will support scholarships for students from France and around the world to attend Parsons Paris.
In his address, Alber Elbaz spoke about education, exploration and finding meaning through time and patience.
Schools are the one place where you can still dream, and your teacher will make your dream come true. This is the last place where we can dream. Nelson Mandela said that the true winners are the dreamers that never give up, and here we are.
In the last few years, I took some time off. […] I spent my time travelling around the world. […] More than wanting to teach, I wanted to learn what’s next. […] Where are we going, what is fashion about today, what does it mean to be a fashion designer?
We are living in a time of changes and uncertainty, but it is also the time of renaissance. […] I’ve met many students during the last 4 years that I was travelling the world, many fashion designers as well. They are not less good than Vionnet or Madame Grès, the only thing we miss is a little bit of time. […] We all love Instagram, but not everything should be instant. We have to take the time if we want to be truly creative. I met many students who were bombarded with information, so much that there was no place for dreams. And we’re an industry where we create dreams. […] In times of change, if we look for comfort, we will never find the truth.
The gala was held at Pavillon Vendôme on the iconic Place Vendôme and included an exhibition of student work entitled Exhibiting Parsons Paris. BFA and BBA students in Art, Media and Technology, Fashion Design and Strategic Design Management as well as MA students in Fashion Studies showcased exciting collaborations with international organizations and leading brands, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Swarovski, Etudes Studio, Koché, Ami and Association Azzedine Alaïa.
The Benefit also featured a musical performance by students from The New School’s College of Performing Arts, and a live auction with lots gifted by Azza Fahmy Jewellery, Cartier, Kering, Lasvit, Lorenz Baumer, Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton.
“This is an auspicious moment for Parsons Paris, as we prepare for the expansion of our campus in Fall 2020 to the artistic hub Komunuma, and look forward to celebrating our Centennial in 2021,” said Florence Leclerc-Dickler, Dean of Parsons Paris. “With the support of our visionary Advisory Board, we were thrilled to host our inaugural Parsons Paris Benefit and raise scholarship funds for outstanding students from around the world.” Parsons Paris will expand to the new Fiminco Foundation site in Romainville in the Fall of 2020, joining the next cultural hub of Greater Paris dedicated to contemporary art. Romainville will be a second campus for Parsons Paris, housing an innovative 700m2 space dedicated to fashion and making labs.
“As we look ahead with enthusiasm to the Parsons Paris Centennial in 2021, the Board is honored to be recognized by our inspired Dean for our work to advance the university’s unique academic mission,” said Peter O. Price, Chairman of the Parsons Paris Advisory Board and CEO of Premiere Previews. “We are excited to help shape the next generation of creative leaders, who will go on to transform our world through the power of design.”
Members of the Parsons Paris Advisory Board bring decades of experience in creative and consumer businesses, and serve as chief executives and other high-powered leaders in a variety of sectors, including fashion, beauty, the arts, media, retail, and education, among others.
The Advisory Board includes the following members:
Peter O. Price, Chairman of the Parsons Paris Advisory Board; CEO of Premiere Previews
Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of LOEWE
Corice Arman, Collector and Head of Arman Trust
Miren Arzalluz, Director of Palais Galliera
Gérald Azancot, President of Groupe Fiminco and Fondation Fiminco
Lorenz Bäumer, Founder and Creative Director of Lorenz Bäumer
Albert Bensoussan, Chief Executive Officer of Luxury–Watches and Jewelry for Kering
Grégoire Blanche, Regional Managing Director for the European Region of Cartier
Jimmy K.W. Chan, Founder and Chairman of Semeiotics
Madison Cox, President of Fondation Pierre Bergé–Yves Saint Laurent and Fondation Jardin Majorelle in Morocco
Paolo De Cesare, Chief Executive Officer of Printemps–Intercontinental Group of Department Stores
Marie-Laure Djelic, Dean of the School of Management and Innovation at Sciences Po
Michaël Fribourg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chargeurs
Olivier Gabet, Director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Leon Jakimič, President of Lasvit
Margaret Johnston-Clarke, Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion & Corporate Communications at L’Oréal
Florence Leclerc-Dickler, Dean of Parsons Paris
Tim Marshall, Provost of The New School
Arnauld Mitre, Co-founder of Coorpacademy
Matthew Pollock, President of InDigital Media Group
Judith Price, President of the National Jewelry Institute
Charlotte Rampling, Actress
Philippe Schaus, Chief Executive Officer of Moët Hennessy
Kay Unger, Chair of the Parsons Board of Governors
Alisa Volskaya, Executive Director and Head of Fundraising at Naked Heart Foundation
Photos: Ik Aldama