The Sustainability Laboratory (The Lab) presents Threads of Impact NYC, its inaugural fashion-for-systems-change fundraiser, debuting at the former home of the Rubin Museum — a NYC landmark of global culture and art.
Threads of Impact NYC is more than a fashion show — it is a cultural fundraiser that weaves together design, climate action, and community-led innovation. In a moment when the world is searching for models of hope, Threads of Impact NYC spotlights the people and practices proving that sustainability-conscious futures are not only possible but already underway.
During the runway presentation, a key component of the evening, designers will share the story behind their creations, considering the ecological and social impacts through the lens of The Lab’s five core sustainability principles: Material, Economic, Life, Social, and Spiritual. Anchored by Bebe Ravi and Siamanda Collectif founder and designer Siamanda Chege, whose work bridges heritage craft, women’s empowerment, and sustainability-conscious innovation, Threads of Impact NYC features a global roster of creators using fashion to advance systems change.
The evening includes a curated silent auction that offers attendees the opportunity to dive deeper into The Lab’s work, including cultural immersion and private tours of Project Wadi Attir with a desert sojourn hosted by former mayor of Hura Mohammed Alnabari; a private evening salon and dinner at the home of Buckminster protégé and Lab founder Dr. Michael Ben-Eli; behind-the- scenes tour of The 8th Floor Gallery with a reception for ten, donated by Shelley Frost Rubin; a one-of-a-kind jewelry piece designed by Alexandra Benzaquine (Mor); airline tickets to Kenya (the intended site of The Lab’s latest project); coveted outdoor items donated by Patagonia; wellness workshops; and more.
Supported in part by Shelley Frost Rubin and SJS Charitable Trust, the evening also features cultural drumming and sustainability focused hors d’oeuvres, with beverages by Owl’s Brew.
Photography is led by Steve Eichner and Kristine B. Emerging videographer Elly Zifchock and stylist Noelia RojasWest underscore the event’s ethos of collective action. Abigail Abbott-White of Eco Spirit Collective, Britta Cabanos of Inside Fashion Design, and Melissa Shea of Fashion Mingle bring industry infrastructure and entrepreneurial leadership to the evening.
The Threads of Impact NYC Committee includes Shelley Frost Rubin, Eva Haller, Siamanda Chege, Manuela Roosevelt, Alexandra Benzaquine (Mor), Gabriele Castagnoli, Tanja Andrejasic Wechsler, and Abigail Abbott‑White, whose leadership drives the event’s philanthropic vision.
Proceeds support The Sustainability Laboratory’s global initiatives, including Project Olgulului with a Maasai community in Kenya and the Global Sustainability Fellows Program, advancing the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Dining and Cooking