Jeffrey Fashion Cares Hosts 14th Annual Fashion Fundraiser for LGBT Rights

There were no Monday blues at last night’s Jeffrey Fashion Cares 14th Annual Fashion Fundraiser for LGBT rights. Fashion’s finest made their way to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to support Jeffrey Kalinsky’s longtime event, which welcomed the Elton John AIDS Foundation as a first-time charity partner and the return of the Hetrick-Martin Institute and Lambda Legal. “We’re living in a time when our government is cutting LGBT funding and challenging our hard-won rights,” Kalinsky said in a statement. “Supporting organizations that advance, educate, and care for our community is critical. In that spirit, I am thrilled to renew our commitment to these fine charities.”

Stylist Brad Goreski was the host of the night, who was also in town for a photoshoot and a “theater weekend.” This wasn’t Goreski’s first rodeo—he’s hosted the Macy’s Fashion Front Row for the past two seasons. He’s also attended Jeffrey Fashion Cares four times, but hasn’t visited the Intrepid for fun. “If I came to the Intrepid as a tourist, I’d probably have to bring a knapsack with a few different looks in it and do a little shoot,” he told us. As always, the evening featured a fashion show walked by top mods, including Chad White, who wore brands like Thom Browne and Gucci. “I love seeing my girls walk the runway, but for different reasons [Laughs],” Goreski added.

Notables who attended the event included ​Anna Wintour (who stayed just for cocktails), Brandon Maxwell, Joseph Altuzarra, Kimbra, Leigh Lezark, Eric Rutherford, Gilles Marini, Sean O’Pry (in head-to-toe Ferragamo), Cory Bond, Fredrik Eklund, and Chris Salgardo, president of Kiehl’s Since 1851 and the Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2017 honoree. ​Kiehl’s has launched collaborations with top artists, fashion designers, and celebrities under his leadership to raise funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations within the company’s charitable pillars, which includes HIV/AIDS research. “I am truly honored to be recognized with the Jeffrey Fashion Cares Community Leadership Award,” said Salgardo in a statement. “I’ve had the opportunity to champion diversity and be a voice for the LGBTQ community. This lifelong commitment paired with Kiehl’s spirit of inclusion have allowed me to raise awareness and advocate for equal rights while fighting for the future of our next generation.” ​