Veronica Swanson Beard, Steven Kolb, Veronica Miele BeardYvonne Tnt/BFA.com
“This is payback,” Veronica Miele Beard laughed to Steven Kolb as they greeted a room full of supporters gathered for an intimate dinner. (And no, it wasn’t for anything untoward.) The designer, one half of Veronica Beard, was referring to the label’s Creative Futures Scholarship program, organized in partnership with the CFDA. “Thirteen years ago we were finalists in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund—we’ll never forget the process and we are indebted to you because that experience really launched us.”
What started out as a once-off last year—with four budding designers winning paid summer internships and $50,000 towards their education—proved to be so rewarding to both the label and the three recipients, the Veronicas decided to renew the initiative for three more years. “We had the most incredible time with the group, and we learned just as much as they learned,” Veronica Swanson Beard said. “We ended the summer with the warmest feelings, and felt that this is something that we really wanted to continue.”
The label has also pledged a long-term endowment that will fund future programs and scholarships, bolstering the CFDA’s mission. While acknowledging how instrumental that support and investment is as the organization celebrates the 30th anniversary of its life-changing, career-making scholarship programs, Kolb noted that they’re in good company too. “You join a really distinguished group of designers who always committed to helping young talent. Oscar de la Renta, Geoffrey Beene, Liz Claiborne, Bill Blass, Monica Tilly—a very successful swimwear designer in the 1970s, and Perry Ellis; who was really the man that pushed scholarships forward. As a non-profit, everything we do depends on the kindness of others, so thank you.”
To toast to the two-way street, nurturing next-gen designers, as well as an incoming New York Fashion Week, Miele Beard and Swanson Beard took over Frevo; the art-adorned, Michelin-starred eatery tucked away behind an art gallery facade on West 8th Street. Iris Apatow and Coco Arquette were among the crowd, kitted out in chic suiting and separates—and the Dash bag; every New York City girl’s ride-or-die desk to dinner handbag. Comedian, actress, and podcast host Ego Nwodim also joined, bravely teaming her pristine white pant suit with open-toe shoes despite the frigid six-degree weather outside: “I’m committed!”
“Thank you, also, to the Veronicas, for finding this place,” Kolb had praised. Indeed: The multi-course menu meticulously prepared by Franco Sampogna and his team right in front of guests was like watching skilled couturiers at work; with colorful and imaginative dishes presented with the utmost care and consideration.
