Click here to view our 2014 Gala program.
The 4th Annual Gala
Wednesday, October 8th 2014
Lexington Avenue Armory
68 Lexington Avenue, New York
Everyone’s success stems from a dream. As young, starry-eyed hopefuls, our students have all their dreams written down on pieces of paper, which are the incubators of their talent and ultimate success. As their dreams translate to reality, they will become the ones who change the way runways present to consumers of fashion. Be it business, production, marketing, public relations or design, their dreams will dictate the future of fashion. Therefore, our 2014 theme pays homage to the dreams they have put down on paper as they will it to fruition and write new runways for the future.
United Colors of Fashion, Inc. (UCOF) Academy is a New York City-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing fashion focused:
Education | Mentorship | Counseling | Internship Opportunities | Entrepreneurial Development | Scholarships
to under-resourced youth in New York City. UCOF Academy is the first registered 501(c)(3) organization in the U.S. to offer FREE Fashion Education to under-resourced youth. The organization is registered with New York Department of Education, NY Charity Bureau, NY Department of State and the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) as a 501 (c)(3) organization under the name of United Colors of Fashion, Incorporated.
Under our UCOF Academy Educates: Student Training Arts and Design (STAND) program, these youth are afforded opportunities to pursue their fashion careers free of charge to them.
Our core mission, thanks to a dedicated compliment of staff who all volunteer their time, is rooted in our STAND program. The program allows students to learn in areas of fashion design, fashion merchandising, global fashion, PR & marketing, production and product development. Since inception the project has assisted over 350 students in gaining access to institutions of higher learning and facilitated the allocation of scholarships to them. As a means to give back, UCOF also raises funds to assist children infected and affected by HIV in South Africa. Our mission has also recently taken us to Haiti to provide medical assistance and teacher training – a mission we aim to expand in 2015.
350 students |
6 States |
3 Countries |
 100%Benefactors cover out operating costs to ensure that 100% of donations are used to fund fashion education |
 ProofWe prove everything we do via photos and videos of all our students’ activities ensuring that every cent is accounted for |
Our annual Gala is the event our students work towards throughout the year. It serves an experiential culmination of their collective short-term goals in growing into the fashion industry. It is also a way for UCOF to share the tangible results our work yields and allow our supporters to see the impact we make in our students’ lives. The Gala serves to honor those who are not only making a difference in the world, but also providing hope. Hope is after all the backbone that carries dreams to meet opportunity.
The goal for the night of the Gala is to raise $500, 000 in order to continue offering free fashion education to our youth, throughout the coming year, and expand our UCOF Cares Program to Haiti.
80%of new designers go out of business within two years |
200designers get to present shows during NYFW |
$24,680is what it costs for a student to get a Bachelors degree in fashion |
This is a select group of our brightest students who have shown commitment and progress while participating in the STAND program.
Steering Committee Chair
Michael Palladino |
Laurie DeJongRon Voller |
Dr. Henry Paul |
The 2014 Annual Gala & Fashion Benefit are made possible by the United Colors of Fashion Board of Directors. Click here to meet the board of directors.
| Eunice Omole Fabrice Armand Lebogang Mokwena Ruth Muinde Amber Ducksworth |
Michael Palladino Yves Aubrey Melissa Barnier Folake Ayoola Loudia Ferjuste |
Dr. Henry R. Paul HP Funmi Alaiyemola Hugo Uys Michelle Mitchelle Priya Mentha |
Gerry Tarantolo Brad Armstrong Ruth Muinde J. R. Alexandre |
2014 Media Kit
2014 Sponsorship Deck
Media Registration Form
2013 Annual Gala |
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2012 Annual Gala |
