NEW YORK — Fashion Institute of Technology’s annual gala, a star-studded event that raises funds for scholarships and academic initiatives, honored the accomplishments of three tech innovators whose work is revolutionizing the fashion industry.
The 2023 Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Gala took place on Monday, April 24, 2023, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, bringing together fashion icons, business leaders, and philanthropists to celebrate the transformative power of technology in fashion. The evening’s honorees were:
* **José Neves**, founder and CEO of Farfetch, an online luxury fashion retail platform that connects customers with over 1,300 boutiques and brands around the world.
* **Rony Zeidan**, co-founder and CEO of MOD4D, a 3D design software company that empowers fashion designers to create and visualize their designs virtually, reducing waste and production time.
* **Cathy Hackl**, chief metaverse officer at Journey, a virtual world platform that allows users to interact, create, and shop, bringing a new dimension to the fashion experience.
Each honoree received the FIT Couture Council Award for Innovation in Fashion Technology, recognizing their significant contributions to the advancement of the industry. The awards were presented by FIT President Joyce F. Brown and FIT Couture Council Chairwoman Fern Mallis.
“Technology is rapidly transforming the fashion industry, and our honorees are at the forefront of this revolution,” said Brown. “Their groundbreaking work is shaping the future of fashion, from design and production to retail and marketing.”
The FIT Gala is the college’s largest fundraiser, supporting scholarships for talented students, faculty research, and academic programs that prepare students for careers in the fashion and design industries. This year’s gala raised a record-breaking $5.3 million, exceeding the previous year’s total by 15%.
“The success of this year’s gala is a testament to the power of technology to inspire and transform the fashion industry,” said Mallis. “We are grateful to our honorees, our sponsors, and our guests for their support of FIT and our mission to educate the next generation of fashion leaders.”
### About Fashion Institute of Technology
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a State University of New York college of art, design, business, and technology, with campuses in New York City and online. FIT offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as continuing education and certificate programs, in fields including fashion design, fashion business, textile design, interior design, graphic design, photography, jewelry design, and cosmetics and fragrance marketing. FIT is a global leader in fashion education, with its graduates working in all aspects of the industry, from design and manufacturing to marketing and retail. For more information, visit fitnyc.edu.
### Media Contact
Lissa Wyman
Director of Communications
Fashion Institute of Technology
212.217.4956
[email protected].
