New School Alumni

Here comes the sun 😎

Did you know? The New School’s green roof reduces storm-water runoff into the sewer system, and helps to decrease the urban heat-island effect 🔥

and gathered for a tour of the University Center art collection, a round table sharing memories and hopes for the future!

2025 Parsons Benefit Honoree Spotlight 🏅

W***y Chavarria
Creative Director and CEO


W***y Chavarria is a California-born designer whose work blends fashion with social justice, using art to uplift the underrepresented and celebrate human dignity. His collections draw on his Mexican-American heritage and street culture, creating emotionally rich, politically resonant designs. Known for powerful runway shows, his brand is featured in top retailers and expanding globally. With multiple awards—including CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year—W***y continues to shape fashion with purpose and heart.

Click the link in bio to learn more about our honorees and purchase your ticket today 🔗🎟️

2025 Parsons Benefit Honoree Spotlight 🏅

Artemis Patrick
President and CEO
SEPHORA NORTH AMERICA

With nearly 20 years at Sephora, Artemis Patrick has led key initiatives in merchandising, e-commerce, and strategic partnerships solidifying Sephora as the No.1 prestige beauty omni-retailer. Known as "the brand whisperer," Artemis has helped shape iconic beauty categories and groundbreaking collaborations. She's also a champion for women in the industry and a proud award-winning leader, wife, and mom.

ATTN – Parsons Benefit update🚨

The venue has been chosen!

The 2025 Parsons Benefit will be held at Halo in the Financial District – is one of NYC’s newest premier event spaces spanning 30,000 square feet housed within the mid-century architectural elegance of the iconic 28 Liberty Street building.

Click the link in bio to learn more and purchase your ticket today 🔗🎟️

It’s almost here! Tomorrow is our online Women in Fashion Leadership Panel — Register 🔗 in bio ⬆️

Today we’re highlighting

Liselle Kiss is a graduate and founder of handbags. In her first year in business, Liselle Kiss bags rapidly expanded into 15 stores nationwide, including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Shopbop and Bergdorf Goodman. Liselle Kiss is the 2023 recipient of the Elaine Gold Launch Pad Award and also a finalist for the Accessories Council Designer Excellence Award in the category of handbags under $1000 for her Meli bag design. Liselle Kiss handbags are recognized by Oprah Daily, and seen in British Vogue and Elle. Drawing inspiration from her Miami roots and Trinidadian heritage, she curates her designs from Brooklyn, merging New York and Miami Art Deco, showcasing her elegant and vibrant designs.

We’re just 4️⃣ days away from our Women in Fashion Leadership Panel virtual event!

Today we’re highlighting

Caroline Zimbalist graduated from Parsons in 2019 with a major in Fashion Design and a minor in Fine Arts. She is known for her work with bioplastics and for bringing mainstream attention to this newer textile. Caroline’s art is sold in many venues such as , , and the gift shop. In fashion design, she has been called an “Emerging Designer” to watch by multiple media outlets including Harper’s, , and . Caroline loves the natural world, is committed to bringing more attention to plastic waste, and owns three rescue dogs.

📆 Tuesday, March 25th
⏰ 6:30PM - 7:30PM (EDT)
📍 Virtual
FREE to register! 🔗 in bio ⬆️

Thank you to everyone who joined us for yesterday’s networking event in DC 🎉 — and for welcoming our new president Joel Towers to the city!

The impact of our community here and abroad was shown by the incredible turnout. Your energy and connections made it an unforgettable evening ✨

1️⃣ week from today

Whether you are an aspiring designer, an entrepreneur, or simply passionate about the
industry today, this virtual event will offer valuable lessons and inspiration from women leading the way in fashion today.

Today we’re highlighting Ruchira Amare (Fashion Design ‘15)

Ruchira is a Fashion Illustrator and Fashion Designer, based in NYC. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, she was always interested in the arts. She graduated with a degree in Fashion Design from in 2015 and studied art under several artists in Mumbai. She developed her own style under her brand Yregon. She has been reviewed by different publications such as the , University of Fashion Blog, India.com, and others for her work.

📆 Tuesday, March 25th
⏰ 6:30PM - 7:30PM (EDT)
📍 Virtual
FREE to register! 🔗 in bio ⬆️

As part of Women’s History Month, next week’s virtual panel celebrates the journeys of four who have built their own successful fashion brands.

Today we’re highlighting Priyanka Sen

Priyanka is a distinguished leader and mentor with over fifteen years of experience guiding global teams in the fashion industry, including roles at Prada, Coach, Michael Kors, and American Eagle Outfitters. As part of the first class of Priyanka has been recognized for her strong leadership and mentorship skills. She founded SEGN LLC, a consulting firm that offers strategic business solutions and supports community initiatives.

📆 Tuesday, March 25th
⏰ 6:30PM - 7:30PM (EDT)
📍 Virtual
FREE to register! 🔗 in bio ⬆️

Visit https://event.newschool.edu/alumniengagement to learn more and RSVP.
March 17: Philadelphia Alumni Community Film Screening
March 17: Virtual - Building a Career in Live Entertainment with
March 19: D.C. Reception with President Joel Towers
March 25: Virtual - Women in Fashion Leadership Panel featuring Priyanka Sen (Fashion Marketing '07), Ruchira Amare (Fashion Design '15), Liselle Kiss (Fashion Design '17), and Caroline Zimbalist (Fashion Design '19)
March 27: NYC Alumnae Community Mixer
April 9: Los Angeles Reception with President Joel Towers
April 10: San Francisco Reception with President Joel Towers

Phyllis Armstrong turns 100!

Phyllis, a Parsons alumna, followed her passion for art and design from Tennessee to New York City in 1945 on a Scholarship. She was driven by her creativity and drew inspiration from fabrics and the vibrant city around her.

From painting children’s portraits to making jewelry, Phyllis proves that passion is timeless. Today, she continues to create, stay active, and embrace new artistic challenges. On Monday, is awarding Phyllis with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Happy Birthday, Phyllis ❤️

Phyllis Armstrong turns 100!

Phyllis, a Parsons alumna, followed her passion for art and design from Tennessee to New York City in 1945 on a Scholarship. She was driven by her creativity and drew inspiration from fabrics and the vibrant city around her. 🏙️

From painting children’s portraits to making jewelry, Phyllis proves that passion is timeless. Today, she continues to create, stay active, and embrace new artistic challenges. On Monday, is awarding Phyllis with a Lifetime Achievement Award 🏆

Happy Birthday, Phyllis ❤️

✨ Tomorrow✨ is

Meet an important part of our community: WriteOn NYC

Founded in 2016, WriteOn NYC is one fellowship with two missions: providing passionate writing instructors to New York City schools and providing teacher training and fellowship support to students in The New School's MFA in Creative Writing Program. Each semester, students work closely with a cohort of hand-picked teaching fellows from across genres in the MFA program to bring the joys of literature and creative self-expression to local kids.

To date, 93 New School MFA students and hundreds of New York City schoolchildren have taken part in WriteOn NYC.

Learn more & donate ➡️ https://bit.ly/41EzRgd

✨Tomorrow✨ is

Meet an important part of our community: WriteOn NYC

Founded in 2016, WriteOn NYC is one fellowship with two missions: providing passionate writing instructors to New York City schools and providing teacher training and fellowship support to students in The New School’s MFA in Creative Writing Program. Each semester, students work closely with a cohort of hand-picked teaching fellows from across genres in the MFA program to bring the joys of literature and creative self-expression to local kids.

To date, 93 New School MFA students and hundreds of New York City schoolchildren have taken part in WriteOn NYC.

Learn more & donate via our link in bio 🔗 or visit newschool.edu/givingday

Only 2 days left until New School Giving Day!

Meet an important part of our community: The New Hood

Founded by New School graduate Dr. Talib Hudson Milano ‘22, and based in The New School’s Center for New York City Affairs, The New Hood is a think tank that empowers urban communities of color to develop, identify, and elevate policy discourse that directly impacts their local neighborhoods. Through initiatives including The New Hood Policy Lab and The New Hood Comunity Healing Policy Fellows, The New Hood imagines what the hood could be for current and future generations through policies created by and for those communities.

Learn more & donate ➡️ https://bit.ly/41EzRgd

New School Giving Day is March 7 (this Friday!)

Meet an important part of our community: The Vera List Center for Art and Politics

The Vera List Center for Art and Politics is an artist-focused research center and public forum for art, culture, and politics. Established at The New School in 1992, the center is a leading nonprofit that catalyzes and supports politically engaged art, public scholarship, and research throughout the world. It fosters vibrant and diverse communities of artists, scholars, and policymakers who take creative, intellectual, and political risks to bring about positive change.

Learn more & donate by visiting https://bit.ly/41EzRgd