Fashion, Philanthropy and First Ladies Come Together for the F4D’s 8th Annual First Ladies Luncheon

F4D's 8th Annual First Ladies Luncheon at the Pierre Hotel earlier today gathered international First Ladies, fashion industry leaders, political influencers and diplomats from over 100 nations to celebrate the progress made towards positive social change worldwide in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This year F4D's Founder Evie Evangelou was joined in celebration by Adam Glassman, Adam Haggiag, Aldis Hodge, Amber Heard, Carmen Busquets, Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Edwina Dunn, Ellie Goulding, Flaviana Matata, Francine LeFrak, Gabriela Hearst, Herieth Paul, HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon, Isabella Springmuhl Tejada, Lauren Santo Domingo, Laurent Sauveur, Livia Firth, Melanie Steiner, Stuart McCullough and Ulric Jerome, to celebrate cultural exchange and its importance in creating a better human understanding of diversity, while continuing to drive attention towards sustainability and preservation of the environment.

The event began with a cocktail reception inside the Cotillion Room where F4D in cooperation with Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana showcased the one-off creations by 8 fashion designers from Africa, Albania and Brazil, inspired by handbags donated by Armani, Bottega Veneta, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada, Tods, Valentino and Versace. The African designers were curated and sponsored by African Fashion International (AFI). In addition, Albanese designer Mirela Nurce exhibited her collection of silk printed garments featuring the drawings of children with hearing difficulties.

The luncheon opened with American actor Aldis Hodge introducing Fashion 4 Development's Founder Evie Evangelou who welcomed honorees and distinguished guests.

"I have always believed that Fashion is an instrument by which culture is created and a mirror through which culture is reflected. This belief brings me to introduce our project of Inspiration through Cultural Exchange."

-Evie Evangelou

Evie welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies who reintroduced Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana one-off garments alongside the Italian designer handbags back to the runway.

Following the runway show, Diane von Furstenberg gave a personal introduction to this year's Goodwill Ambassador for North & Latin America Fabiola Beracasa Beckman. Following a viewing of Fabiola's bio video, Chairman and CEO of PVH, Emanuel Chirico introduced this year's Leading Lady Award recipient to his colleague and friend, Melanie Steiner. Melanie is the Chief Risk Officer for PVH and leads the company's corporate responsibility efforts.

Livia Firth, past recipient of the Fashion 4 Development Award, presented this year's Fashion 4 Development Award to Philanthropist, Investor, Humanitarian and Sustainability Advocate, Founder/Investor Net-a-Porter, Carmen Busquets, for her work supporting artisans and for disruptive business innovation to recalibrate the luxury fashion industry for the benefit of people and planet.

"What I want to see from the industry is more nnnovation, more fulfilling jobs, more beauty, but less mindless consumption, less – no – zero abuse, and ZERO waste. Time, as they say, is up."

– Carmen Busquets

League of Gentlemen Award recipient and Managing Director of The Woolmark Company, Stuart McCullough, joined the stage to accept his award on behalf of "tens of thousands of Australian woolgrowers who work tirelessly to grow the softest Merino wool in the world". Following Stuart's acceptance speech, Livia Firth then presented the Eco Award to double Brit winner and Grammy nominated singer, songwriter and UN Ambassador for Environment, Ellie Goulding. Ellie was being recognized for being an important voice advocating for environmental change and engaging young people around the world about climate change.

During the ceremony the attendees previewed a video about the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange Project, featuring sustainable designs by established and emerging talent in collaboration with skilled artisans from across the Commonwealth's 53 countries. The video was presented by Nadja Swarovski, Ulric Jerome and Stuart McCullough, and followed by a runway show of "looks" created through the Fashion Exchange and powered by Eco Age in partnership withSwarovski, The Woolmark Company and MATCHESFASHION.COM, that were originally unveiled at Buckingham Palace during London Fashion Week in February.

Following the fashion show, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, F4D's Goodwill ambassador for Africa and past Franca Sozzani Award recipient, took the stagesighting some of her more recent humanitarian works. She later presented Francine LeFrak, Social Entrepreneur and Women's Empowerment Activist, with the Franca Sozzani Award .

"I cherish this award because it represents promoting positive social change and economic growth for women and their communities worldwide through the unifying power of fashion and shopping with your heart"

-Francine LeFrak

Laurent Sauveur welcomed F4D's Angel Award recipient, Actress, Philanthropist and L'Oreal's newest global celebrity spokesperson, Amber Heard for her humanitarian mission in support of Syrian refugees in Jordan as well as for actively promoting the message of justice, respect and compassion towards women and children around the world.

"I'm successful because of the strong women I could respect and be accountable toward. Even when we might seem worlds apart and live across the globe, we all need to remember that we are each other's supporters"

-Amber Heard

Following Amber's acceptance, Aldis Hodge introduced Helen Watson, CEO of Rothschild & Co. Wealth Management. Once on stage, Helen presented the Women's Champion Award recipient to Edwina Dunn, Chair of Your Life, a Government-backed campaign to encourage young people to consider careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and Founder of The Female Lead, a social enterprise to bring inspiration female role models across the world to US and UK based schools.

"Young girls need more role models, because you can't be what you can't see.." -Edwina Dunn

F4D 8th Annual First Ladies Luncheon Honorees:

Carmen Busquets (Philanthropist, Investor, Humanitarian and Sustainability Advocate, Founder/Investor Net-a-Porter) – Fashion 4 Development Award

Amber Heard (Actress, Philanthropist and L'Oreal's newest global celebrity spokesperson) – Angel Award

Edwina Dunn (Co-Founder of dunnhumby and Founder of the Female Lead) – Women's Empowerment Award Recipient

Ellie Goulding (Double Brit winner and Grammy nominated singer, songwriter) – Eco Award

Francine LeFrak (Social entrepreneur and women's empowerment activist) – Franca Sozzani Award

Stuart McCullough (Managing Director of The Woolmark Company) – League of Gentlemen Award

Melanie Steiner (Chief Risk Officer, PVH Corp) – Leading Lady Award

F4D is a private sector global platform founded by Evie Evangelou in January 2011 in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and "Every Woman, Every Child", the UN initiative spearheaded by Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. F4D promotes positive social change with initiatives in over 20countries and builds upon the core leadership principles of the 4Es: Educate, Empower, Enhance and Enrich. F4D's mission is to activate creative partnerships and harness the power of fashion and beauty industries for sustainable economic growth and independence of communities worldwide, through the expression of fashion. In 2015, F4D committed to support the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals with a significant focus on sustainable lifestyle practices for a healthier world, preservation of culture and women's & children's empowerment. http://www.fashion4development.com/