Meeting Fern Mallis at the ACE Awards was a moment of pure inspiration for me, and seeing her wear a NANDANIE tie the following evening at the FIT Gala was nothing short of exhilarating. As the executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) from 1991 to 2001, Fern created what we now know as New York Fashion Week. This platform was instrumental in launching my own brand, making her contributions to the fashion world deeply personal and profoundly impactful to me.

Fern's legacy extends beyond the runway. She organized ten CFDA Fashion Awards Galas, initiated the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign, orchestrated fundraisers for AIDS charities, and raised money for design scholarships. Known as the Godmother of Fashion, her influence is legendary.

I also admire her life philosophy. In an interview with Alex Carr, Fern shared her best career advice: "Just be nice." This simple yet powerful motto resonates with my own beliefs and is a testament to her character and success.

Fern truly embodies the spirit of kindness and innovation, and that is why I love Fern Mallis.