Fashion designer to be honored at annual “Fiesta!” gala for contributions to education
Key Takeaways:
- Carolina Herrera’s creative director, Wes Gordon, visited the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education to engage with students in discussions about fashion, design, and self-expression.
- The visit was part of a collaboration between the house of Herrera and Casita Maria, honoring the brand’s Latin American heritage.
- Gordon and philanthropist Lucy Doughty will be honored at Casita Maria’s “Fiesta!” gala on October 21, alongside others, for their contributions to arts and education.
- The Casita Maria Center, founded in 1934, supports communities of color through arts, culture, and education.
Carolina Herrera’s creative director Wes Gordon made a special visit to the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education as part of the brand’s ongoing collaboration with the organization. The visit, ahead of Gordon being honored by the center, saw him engage with around 30 children in the facility’s after-school program. Gordon led discussions on fashion, design inspiration, and the importance of self-expression, encouraging the students to create their own illustrations and mood boards. He also visited other classrooms to interact with additional students.
The collaboration between the luxury fashion house and Casita Maria pays tribute to Carolina Herrera’s Latin American heritage. Founded in 1934 by Claire and Elizabeth Sullivan and Sister Mary Imelda, the Casita Maria Center initially aimed to support the Spanish-speaking community in East Harlem. It has since broadened its mission to serve all people of color, providing access to arts, culture, education, and recreation.
Gordon, along with philanthropist Lucy Doughty, will be honored at the center’s “Fiesta!” gala, scheduled for October 21 at The Plaza Hotel. They will be recognized alongside gallerists James Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui of Wally Findlay Galleries International for their contributions to the arts and education. The 90th annual benefit is chaired by Jacqueline Weld Drake and Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, with a number of co-chairs supporting the event, including Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas and Jean Shafiroff.