On the rooftop of a Manhattan residential constructing Wednesday evening, it was all about cocktails, industry chatter and, most significantly, showing support for the LIM Fashion Education Foundation.

Retail and fashion executives and school and students from LIM turned out for the event where Jennifer Foyle, president and executive creative officer of American Eagle and Aerie, and Michele Parsons, the chief merchandising officer of Kate Spade, were presented with LIM’s inaugural “Fashion Forward” awards. The evening raised greater than $60,000, drew about 100 supporters and likewise celebrated LIM FEF’s forty fifth anniversary. Through the years, the event has raised greater than $2 million for the muse.

“The exciting a part of all that is that 80 percent of LIM students require some financial aid and your entire mission of the muse is to assist students,” Arnie Cohen, LIM FEF board chair, told WWD. Regarding the honorees, “Jen and Michele aren’t only dear friends but have also given back to the style industry in some ways,” said Cohen, who can be chief executive officer of JP Outfitters, the parent firm of the J. Peterman and The Territory Ahead catalogues.

“We’re huge supporters of the muse,” Foyle said. “It’s hard to search out the precise talent for our brands, but at LIM, they’re studying in such areas as marketing, e-commerce, inventory control and planning. You wish individuals who can actually run the business.”

“Tonight is about raising funds for deserving students at the faculty pursuing their dreams. Without this support, their dreams wouldn’t come true,” said Elizabeth S. Marcuse, president of LIM College.

Because the inaugural honorees, Foyle and Parsons were recognized for his or her commitment to empowering the subsequent generation of retail leaders. Each women serve on the LIM FEF board of directors helping the nonprofit organization’s mission to boost and administer funds for scholarships and academic enhancements that profit LIM College students.

Foyle has greater than 30 years of experience at several well-known brands, from American Eagle and Aerie to Gap and J.Crew. At AEO, she’s been instrumental within the #AerieReal body positivity movement, empowering women, and helping to develop the subsequent generation of retail leaders.

Parsons has held leadership roles at brands resembling Tommy Hilfiger, J.Crew, and Coach. She has demonstrated her commitment to mentoring the subsequent generation of leaders by offering internships to LIM College students and speaking on the LIM FEF’s “People within the Know” series, wherein she discussed her experiences and gave advice on methods to start in the style industry. “I gain inspiration from LIM College students. They’ve great passion and insights into fashion brands and magnificence,” said Parsons.

Among the many other attendees on the fundraiser were Daniella Vitale, CEO of Salvatore Ferragamo Americas, former Barneys Latest York CEO, and a graduate of LIM; Karis Durmer, president of Scotch & Soda; Liz Fraser, CEO of Kate Spade; Karis Durmer, CEO of Scotch & Soda, Americas; menswear designer Todd Snyder, and Jay Angeletti, vice chairman, LIM FEF.