The Couture Council
The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT honored Simon Porte Jacquemus, founder and designer at the fashion house JACQUEMUS, with its 2024 Couture Council
Award for Artistry of Fashion during its annual luncheon on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. The event heralds
the arrival of New York Fashion Week, with proceeds benefiting MFIT, the only museum
in New York dedicated exclusively to the art of fashion. Couture Council Board of
Director members, Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, founding Editor-in-chief of Vogue Arabia
and founder of D’NA, and Sarah Wetenhall, president and owner of The Colony Palm Beach,
served as co-chairs, and for the fifth consecutive year, Nordstrom was the presenting
sponsor.
Follow the conversation on Instagram using #COUTURECOUNCIL
About:
The Couture Council is a membership group that supports The Museum at FIT, "the fashion insider's fashion museum." Through membership dues and ticket sales to the annual Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion, the Couture Council helps make it possible for the museum to mount world-class free exhibitions that educate and inspire diverse audiences, to build and conserve its extraordinary permanent collection, and to organize free public programs that serve both FIT students and the general public.
The Couture Council, working in conjunction with the museum, organizes activities
and events to raise the institution's profile and provide financial support for the
museum's initiatives. The most important of these events is the Couture Council's
award ceremony and benefit luncheon. Designers who have received the Couture Council
Award for Artistry of Fashion include Manolo Blahnik, Thom Browne, Alber Elbaz, Wes
Gordon, Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors, Albert Kriemler, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian
Louboutin, Oscar de la Renta, Narciso Rodriguez, Ralph Rucci, Isabel Toledo, Valentino,
and Dries Van Noten.
SEE PHOTOS OF COUTURE COUNCIL EVENTS ON FLICKR
JOIN THE COUTURE COUNCIL:
Members of the Couture Council are invited to all of the museum’s opening receptions
and other special member-only fashion events.
The Couture Council is pleased to offer the following membership levels:
Board Member - (Please Inquire at [email protected])
Fashion Icon - $2500
Couture Council Young Patrons (Under the age 45) - $1500 ***NEW MEMBERSHIP***
Couture Council (individual or couple) - $1000
LEARN ABOUT THE COUTURE COUNCIL'S MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Join or renew online via our secure website using your credit card.
Board of Directors
Melissa Mafrige Mithoff - Chair
Kathy Prounis - Treasurer
Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz
Eleanor Banco
Jane DeFlorio
Carole Divet Harting
Angela Dotson
Joele Frank
Yaz Hernández
Vania Leles
Sharon Jacob - Vice Chair
Sarah Wetenhall - Secretary
Stephanie Loeffler
Julie Macklowe
Lara Meiland-Shaw
Amelia Ogunlesi
Liz Peek
Darcy Rigas
Jean Shafiroff
Nicole Weiss
Advisory Board
Ken Downing
Felita Harris
Pamela Newkirk
Hal Rubenstein
Founding Members and Past Chairs
Yaz Hernández, Founding Member and Past Chair
Kamie Lightburn, Past Chair
Julie Macklowe, Past Chair
Liz Peek, Founding Member and Past Chair
Peter G. Scotese, Emeritus Founding Chair
The annual Couture Council Artistry of Fashion benefit luncheon.
Past Awardees
Past recipients of the Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion are Christian Louboutin (2019), Narciso Rodriguez (2018), Thom Browne (2017), Albert Kriemler of Akris (2016), Manolo Blahnik (2015), Carolina Herrera (2014), FIT alumnus Michael Kors (2013), Oscar de la Renta (2012), Valentino (2011), Karl Lagerfeld (2010), Dries Van Noten (2009), Isabel Toledo (2008), Alber Elbaz (2007), and FIT alumnus Ralph Rucci (2006). In 2008, Giorgio Armani received a special award for Global Fashion Leadership.
Highlights from Previous Special Events
Private tours of exhibitions at The Museum at FIT.
Private visits to the ateliers of fashion designers such as Isabel Toledo and her husband, fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo, Ralph Rucci, Zac Posen, Angel Sanchez, Chadwick Bell, Prabal Gurung, J. Mendel, Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, Reem Acra, Bibhu Mohapatra, Lafayette 148 and NYC Ballet Costume Shop.
Store events with Calvin Klein, Verdura, Tiffany, Reed Krakoff, the FD Gallery, and Mish New York.
Lectures with Michael Kors, Zac Posen, and Ruben and Isabel Toledo at the Doubles Club.
Cocktails and Conversation with designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler and Dr. Valerie Steele, Director, The Museum at FIT at the Proenza Schouler Boutique.
Tea and Conversation with renowned hat designer Patricia Underwood.
NYC Ballet Costume Shop Tour.
Cocktails and Couture with Bibhu Mohapatra at the Core Club.
Cartier Mansion Tour.
Cocktails and Conversation with Jason Wu.
Great Designers event featuring fashions by Lee Alexander McQueen.
Introduction to Fashion History featuring The Little Black Dress.
Great Designers event featuring fashions by Azzedine Alaïa with supermodel Veronica Webb.