Fashion Institute Of Technology Foundation To Honor Jewelry Designer & Philanthropist Joan Hornig

Internationally acclaimed jewelry designer Joan Hornig whose brilliant creations have dazzled at red carpet events around the world will be honored by the Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation at the Foundation’s annual gala, Monday, June 9, 2014 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The Foundation will also honor Board Chair, Dr. Jay Baker and Linda Fargo, Senior VP, Fashion Office and Store Presentation, Bergdorf Goodman.

Always one of New York’s most glamorous events, the Gala is chaired by Pamela Baxter, Joy Herfel Cronin, Victoria Elenowitz, Yaz Hernandez, Jane Hertzmark Hudis, and Liz Peek.

In 2003, jewelry designer Joan Hornig launched a jewelry collection with a distinct concept that has impacted the way people select jewelry in better stores throughout America such as Bergdorf Goodman. Her idea was to design statement pieces that enhance a woman’s beauty by making her feel as beautiful as she looks. Joan donates 100 percent of her profits 100 percent of the time to the charity of the customer’s choice. This unique business model enables women of all ages, means, and taste to join Joan in combining passion for beauty, individuality and giving back.

Ms. Hornig’s unique creations coupled with her mantra that “Philanthropy is beautiful” immediately clicked with Hollywood’s fashion trend setters including Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Meg Ryan, Elizabeth Moss, Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana, Hayden Panettierre, Elizabeth Olsen, Sophia Bush, Selena Gomez, Lori Loughlin, Anna Paquin, Frieda Pinto, Adina Porter, Emma Stone, Hillary Duff, Jessica Alba, Lupita Nyong’o, Brittany Snow, America Ferrera – a veritable who’s who of young Hollywood.

Since the launch of her jewelry line, Joan now offers a collection for everyone: the Signature Collection of 18k gold, precious and semi-precious stones, the Silver Lining Collection, the Boldly Brass Joan Line, the Horn (Increase Giving), the Tools for Giving Collection, as well as chic and practical iPhone accessories and regenerated leather items. Most recently, in November 2013, Joan launched her fashion jewelry line, Giving Rocks on HSN.

A successful Wall Street professional for over 20 years, philanthropist & jewelry designer Joan Hornig donates her profits through her own Joan B. Hornig Foundation. To date, the Joan B. Hornig Foundation has donated to more than 800 worthy initiatives around the world addressing issues such as education, medical research, social services, the arts, animal rights, and environmental protection.

Ms. Hornig is a firm believer in the concept of mentoring. Most recently, she addressed a group of budding entrepreneurs, members of Ivy Untapped at the Columbia Club to share her own unique journey and offer advice to the next generation of business leaders.

And as a member of FIT’s Board of Trustees, she has kept a sharp eye out for talented designers and singled out for support young FIT alumna Claudia Ottaviano who made her well received debut at the recent Fashion Week and saw one of her elegant evening gowns grace the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. Hornig has followed Ottaviano’s development as she apprenticed under masters Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta and later in her job with Marchesa. To help bring attention to the young designer and to focus on the school’s unique position in fashion, Ms. Hornig will be wearing one of Ms. Ottaviano’s beautiful creations to the awards gala. As a trustee, Ms. Hornig hopes to help highlight what FIT is all about – the identification of talent, the nurturing of it, and the impact on a large global industry in addition to New York City.

On May 10, 2014, Ms. Hornig received the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award for her business acumen, humanitarianism and philanthropy joining an impressive club of previous award winners that includes six Presidents of the United States, Nobel Prize recipient Elie Wiesel, Generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. John McCain, Muhammad Ali, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Walters, Mike Wallace, Quincy Jones, Bob Hope, Renee Fleming, Tony Blair, Michael Bolton, Joe Di Maggio – just to name a few – all who have distinguished themselves through their significant contributions to this country.