Fern Mallis Fashion industry specialist, founder of Fern Mallis LLC Date of Birth: 26.03.1948 Country: USA

1. Biography of Fern Mallis
2. Leading the Fashion Industry
3. Entrepreneurship and Consultancy
4. Contributions and Recognition
5. Philanthropy and Advocacy
6. Entrepreneurship and Achievements
7. Theatre and Jewelry Line

Biography of Fern Mallis

Fern Mallis is a fashion industry specialist and the founder of "Fern Mallis LLC." She was born on March 26, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York. Mallis obtained a bachelor's degree from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

Leading the Fashion Industry

Mallis served as the executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) from 1991 to 2001. During her tenure, she played a key role in the production of the iconic '7th on Sixth' fashion shows, now known as New York Fashion Week. She also served as the senior vice president of 'IMG Fashion' from 2001 to 2009.

Entrepreneurship and Consultancy

Currently, Mallis is the president of her own consulting firm, 'Fern Mallis LLC,' specializing in design and global fashion. She was instrumental in creating the New York Fashion Week in 1993 under the CFDA's auspices. The event, also known as '7th on Sixth,' revolutionized the global fashion business, allowing American designers to compete on par with Milan and Paris. Today, New York Fashion Week is one of the four major fashion weeks worldwide.

Contributions and Recognition

Mallis's contributions to the fashion industry extend beyond her executive roles. She curated a retrospective exhibition titled 'Big Shows,' featuring photographer Camilo Him's work on the 1990s New York Fashion Week. Mallis also appeared on various television programs, including 'America's Next Top Model,' 'She's Got the Look,' and four seasons of 'Project Runway.' Additionally, she served as a judge on the reality show 'The Fashion Show.'

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Mallis played a significant role in organizing the CFDA Fashion Awards Galas and launched charitable campaigns such as 'Fashion Targets Breast Cancer' and '7th on Sale' to raise funds for AIDS research. She has been involved with organizations like the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA), Partnership for the Homeless, and Women's Heart Disease. Mallis also chaired the outdoor exhibition 'Sidewalk Catwalk,' showcasing mannequins created by leading designers.

Entrepreneurship and Achievements

After leaving 'IMG Fashion' in 2010, Mallis ventured into entrepreneurship and launched her consulting firm. She serves on the board of directors for 'Robert Graham' in New York and 'Tara Jewels' in Mumbai, India. In addition, Mallis acts as a consultant for the Charleston Fashion Week and Seoul Fashion Week. She has conducted engaging conversations with fashion icons through her project 'Fashion Icons w/ Fern Mallis' at the cultural center '92nd Street Y.'

Theatre and Jewelry Line

In January 2012, Mallis made her theatrical debut in the Off-Broadway production 'Love, Loss, and What I Wore' by Nora and Delia Ephron. In February of the same year, she launched her jewelry line called 'Fern Finds:' She received the 'Fashion Industry Lifetime Achievement Award' from the Pratt Institute in 2012, presented by Calvin Klein.