YMA FSF 2013 Awards Dinner Press Release
YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund Announces Program for the
2013 YMA FSF Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards Dinner
Alber Elbaz, recipient of the 50th Anniversary Geoffrey Beene Fashion Impact Award
CNN’s Alina Cho, MC as YMA FSF honors Allen Sirkin and Ross Stores
Date set for January 8, 2013 at Waldorf Astoria
[New York] — The YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) announces the program for the upcoming 2013 YMA FSF Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards Dinner, where the fashion industry will gather to celebrate the next generation of the fashion industry. The dinner, to be held on January 8th, 2013 at the Waldorf Astoria, will honor industry leaders and grant scholarships to 130 YMA FSF students and eight Geoffrey Beene National Scholar finalists, pursuing the fashion arts.
The 2013 dinner marks the 50th Anniversary of the legendary designer brand Geoffrey Beene. Alber Elbaz, Lanvin artistic director who was mentored by Geoffrey Beene, will accept the 50th Anniversary Geoffrey Beene Fashion Impact Award.
The YMA FSF also honors industry veteran and former PVH president Allen Sirkin, who is accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Retailer of the Year Award goes to Ross Stores, represented by ROSS CEO, Michael Balmuth.
CNN national correspondent Alina Cho, leading reporter for the fashion industry will host the evening’s program for this annual event that, for a sixth year, is entirely underwritten by the Geoffrey Beene Foundation.
Jimmy Rosenfeld, president of F&T Apparel and president of the YMA FSF noted, “The YMA FSF is thrilled to celebrate another year of many accomplishments. We have increased our annual scholarship fund to a record high and for the 4th consecutive year have successfully place 100% of eligible scholars in intern programs. These successes are only matched by those of our outstanding honorees. We are proud to have such a distinguished group support the YMA FSF and its mission.”
The evening includes the presentation of four $30,000 Geoffrey Beene National Scholarships, four $10,000 Geoffrey Beene runner-up scholarships as well as 130 $5,000 scholarships for the YMA FSF scholars. Also new this year, the FSF will be awarding top 5 winners of the $5,000 scholarship and additional $5,000. The students were chosen after highly-competitive selection process of essays, creative presentations and interviews with industry executives.
Since its inception in 1937, YMA (FSF) has awarded over $8 million in scholarships to more than 900 students nationwide. In 2005, FSF and the Geoffrey Beene Foundation formed a $4 million dollar strategic alliance through 2014 with the goal of expanding support for enterprising students majoring in fashion and related disciplines.
For the past 47 years of the organization’s 76-year history, the YMA FSF has honored the fashion industry’s top personalities and business leaders at its annual dinner. Past honorees include Manny Chirico, Ralph Lauren, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Kenneth Cole, Mark Weber, Tim Gunn, Tommy Hilfiger and Zac Posen and many others.
About the Honorees
During his 30 year career with PVH, Allen Sirkin has played a large role in transforming the small dress shirt manufacturer into a global apparel business. Sirkin was instrumental in PVH’s acquiring the Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands, elevating the company into a source of some of the best-selling dress shirt brands in department and specialty stores. This year, Allen Sirkin has retired, leaving a notable career in the apparel industry.
Also being honored is Ross Stores, accepted by CEO Michael Balmuth. Since its inception in 1982, Ross has grown from six off-price stores in California to more than 1000 stores. Today, this S&P 500, Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 company has a presence in 29 states.
Alber Elbaz is the artistic director of Lanvin, one of the world’s most celebrated French couture and ready-to wear fashion houses. Since his appointment in 2001, Elbaz has made Lanvin one of the most highly recognized labels in the industry. The Moroccan born designer moved to New York in 1987 and began working for Geoffrey Beene, where he was influenced by Beene’s work and masterful techniques.
About YMA FSF: Founded in 1937, The YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) is a national non-profit association consisting of influential members of the fashion community, dedicated to promoting education of the fashion arts and business by granting scholarships to talented students and facilitating internships, mentorships and career programs.
About Geoffrey Beene Gives Back®: 100% of all net profits from Geoffrey Beene, LLC , a global designer menswear brand, fund critical causes under the Geoffrey Beene Gives Back® (GBGB) philanthropic campaign. Since 2006, Geoffrey Beene entities have funded more than $162 million dollars in value to critical causes, including more than $126 million to the GEOFFREY BEENE CANCER RESEARCH CENTER at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Other charitable causes include Alzheimer’s, Heart Disease, the YMA FSF and CFDA Educational Scholarships, Veterans Support, Protection of Women and Children, and Animal Welfare.
Press Contact
Ashley Wingert
LaForce + Stevens
646.807.4993
awingert@lagency.com
The Future of Fashion 