CaringKind and the Caregiver Appreciation Fashion Show

On November 30 at Cucina 8 ½ in NYC, leading figures from the fashion industry gathered together to help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. In honor of National Family Caregiver Awareness Month, celebrated top designers Anne Fontaine and César Galindo teamed up with CaringKind for the first Caregiver Appreciation Fashion Show and Luncheon.

Anne Fontaine is the creative director of the Anne Fontaine brand and the President of the Anne Fontaine Foundation. She is a Paris-based fashion designer of ready-to-wear for women, businesswomen, and ecologist. While A-list designer, stylist and entrepreneur, César Galindo, is an American tale of impassioned creativity and gritty persistence. He has an uncanny flair for beautifully breaking new ground while staying true to his roots of highly respected creative wisdom.

CaringKind is one of the country’s first and oldest charities that serves families impacted by Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders. This community-based service organization continues to thrive in the field with a mission to create, deliver, and promote compassionate care and support services for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research. This advanced research propels CaringKind to see early signs of detection, disease-modifying treatments, comprehensive dementia care models and payment reform.

Celebrating caregivers in a unique way through fashion and philanthropy, the event, emceed by Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, was a major awareness drive to acknowledge all the silent heroes who tirelessly care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. Sarah Charness, a female electric violinist, performed at the fashion show, creating an ambiance that complimented the elegance of the show, all while resonating with the emotional depth of the cause. She composes and produces music in New York, creating a singular blend of music that straddles the worlds of classical, pop and electronic dance music (EDM). Caregiver Champion speakers, Amy Hatkoff and Esther Blair Schiffman, shared their inspirational stories, further highlighting the crucial role that caregivers play in our society.

There were 25 Caregiver Champions who were nominated as CaringKind’s class of 2023 who were all in attendance at the luncheon. These champions of care exemplify strength, compassion, and dedication in the face of challenges.

All proceeds of the event benefitted CaringKind. “It was a day where the fashion and healthcare industries come together to bring awareness and support to family caregivers impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementia,” said Eleonora Tornatore-Mikesh, CaringKind’s President and CEO. “Caregivers who are assisting loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementia are more likely to struggle with their own healthcare issues and we need to provide support.”

Notable attendees included Anne Fontaine, Cesar Galindo, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Andrea Greeven Douzet, Desi Lydic, Erik Bottcher, Indira Cesarine, Eleonora Tornatore-Mikesh, Sue Phillips, Joanna Pena-Bickley, Loris Diran, Malan Breton, Andrea Catsimatidis, Sarah Charness, Joey and Nadia Foley, Tom Murrow, Susan Miller, Claudia Romo Edelman, Olga Ferrara, Anzhelika Steen-Olsen, Scott Bucchiet, Naeem Delbridge, Alissa Anderegg, Joan Hornig, Timo Weiland, Dan Ragone, Seth Herzog, Marco Maraghello, Lauren Conlin, and Ezequiel DelaRosa.