The Neiman Marcus Group (NMG) has announced that its CEO, Geoffroy van Raemdonck, has been awarded the Parsons Table Award at the 74th annual Parsons Benefit, alongside Naomi Campbell and Olivier Rousteing, creative director at Balmain. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to design, retail, fashion, philanthropy, and social justice. Recipients are also recognized for their longstanding commitment to supporting and creating opportunities for future generations of artists, designers, and creatives.
“I am humbled to receive recognition from the prestigious Parsons School of Design,” said Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Chief Executive Officer of NMG. “I believe it is not what we do that will be remembered, but how we do it. We Lead with Love in everything we do at NMG. I am grateful for the opportunity to champion values-led leadership in our industry.”
Every year, the Parsons Benefit brings together a prestigious group of industry leaders and alumni to celebrate the outstanding work of its students. This event showcases the students’ impressive achievements and recognizes individuals who have made significant and inspiring contributions to the industry.
Through its strong ties with brand partners, NMG was able to raise over $600,000 to support the Joseph and Gail Gromek Institute for Fashion Business at Parsons School of Design. This institute aims to equip students and new graduates with the necessary skills and connections to succeed in the fashion industry. By offering various opportunities such as scholarships, grants, internships, mentorships, fellowships, and masterclasses, the Gromek Institute ensures that all students have access to these valuable resources, which are often excluded from traditional academic scholarships.
Geoffroy van Raemdonck, CEO of Neiman Marcus Group, Renee White, Provost of The New School, Dwight McBride, President of The New School, Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain, at the 74th Annual Parsons Benefit. © Neiman Marcus Group
Neiman Marcus Group partnered with the Gromek Institute for Fashion Business at Parsons to support the next generation of fashion design talent. According to Abrima Erwiah, Professor and Director of the Gromek Institute for Fashion Business at Parsons, many talented students struggle to cover basic expenses of living in New York City that are not included in academic scholarships. This partnership will provide students with much-needed financial and industry resources to help develop and apply their ideas. This unique opportunity is expected to yield exciting projects from students and recent graduates.
Funds were raised through a donation from The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation and two Parsons students were awarded a $10,000 scholarship through the NMG x Fashion Scholarship Fund, which supports studies in sustainable and ethical fashion. NMG also hosted a career panel for Parsons students at Bergdorf Goodman with NMG leaders.
“The students captivated us with creative and bold questions about the future of luxury fashion,” explained Melissa Xides, Chief Retail Officer of Bergdorf Goodman and one of the panelists. “It was a privilege to welcome emerging fashion leaders for an engaging dialogue with some of our existing leaders.
