Pratt Legends 2014

More than 350 guests attended Pratt Institute’s Legends 2014 gala on November 20 at the Mandarin Oriental, raising $700,000 in advance and an additional $60,000 in pledges at the event to benefit student scholarships. The glamorous gala honored style icon and designer Iris Apfel, PAPER magazine co-founder and editor-in-chief Kim Hastreiter, and designer and CEO David Yurman. Legends 2014 was chaired by Judith and Bruce M. Newman (B.F.A. Interior Design ’53) and Jane and David Walentas. Pratt Institute President Thomas F. Schutte kicked off the evening with welcoming remarks. He was followed by Pratt Board of Trustees Chair Bruce Gitlin, who introduced undergraduate photography student Samantha Asencio. Asencio, a scholarship recipient, described how her Pratt education has helped her grow as a photographer through explorations in other media, including ceramics. “I cannot convey how valuable this support has been to me,” said Asencio. “The scholarships I’ve received have lessened my financial concerns, allowing me to focus solely on my work,” she added. During the awards presentation portion of the evening, the honorees reflected on the past, the future, and on being named a “legend.” “In 93 years, I’ve been called a few names but I never came close to being called a legend,” said Apfel. “What becomes a legend most is an award from Pratt,” she continued, referencing the famous 1960s Blackglama ad campaign. Hastreiter explained that she prefers looking forward rather than