Thom Browne and Andrew Bolton Join First Design for Disability Gala

Last night, the first annual Design for Disability Gala was held at Sotheby’s to raise funds for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Thom Browne and Andrew Bolton lent their names and time to the event with the designer acting as a mentor to the students and as the lead juror, joined by costume designer Ann Roth; psychologist, media commentator Disability Rights Advocate and model Dr. Danielle Sheypuk; and Ms. Wheelchair America 2016 Dr. Alette Coble-Temple. Thirty-five fashion students presented designs to the jury, and five were chosen to produce two outfits from their collection. Finalists each worked with two women with disabilities as their models to unveil their designs at the runway show last night. Coming out for the inaugural event were Kelly Bensimon, Alina Cho, Jill Stuart, Malan Breton, Sharon Hurowitz, Michael Hainey, and Brooke Cundiff. FIT student designer Grace Insogna took home the first prize of $5,000.