There’s a celebrity M.C., most often a comedian poking (very gentle) fun at fashion’s oddities. That last one goes to a celebrity, who gives the whole thing a frisson of paparazzi pizazz. The evening is underwritten partly by Swarovski (which also has the new designer award named after it) and is a fund-raiser for the CFDA, which is the trade and lobbying organization for the fashion industry, and its various programs. Tickets cost $10,000 and tables about $70,000; last year the event was attended by 600 industry members and 400 students (they go free), and raised $4 million. That’s nowhere near the Met Gala, which clocks in at about $13 million, but in line with many cultural fund-raisers in New York.

Source: New York Times June 01, 2018 16:18 UTC