The Fashion Institute of Technology has found a fashionable host for its upcoming gala: Ciara.
The Grammy Award winner will front the festivities at New York’s historic Cathedral of St. John the Divine on April 14. The program will also feature a performance from Aloe Blacc. As previously announced, Gap president and CEO Richard Dickson will be the night’s headline honoree.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting the FIT annual gala in honor of the incredible Richard Dickson,” Ciara said in a statement. “As someone who has always used fashion as a platform for expression, I know how essential it is for leaders like Gap Inc. to foster creativity and invest in emerging talent. I’m proud to support an evening dedicated to connecting industry icons with the next generation, providing FIT students with the resources they need to bring their own visions to life.”
Aloe Blacc performs during the 27th annual Family Film and TV Awards.
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Family Film and TV Awards)
Added Blacc: “I am excited to take the stage at FIT’s annual gala to celebrate the incomparable impact of Richard Dickson and Gap Inc., and to pay tribute to the inspiring FIT students who will soon make their mark across fashion and the creative industries.”
The event serves as a fundraiser for the FIT Foundation, an arm of the institute designed to uplifting the next generation of FIT students through scholarships and academic programs. The 2026 gala will spotlight FIT and Gap Inc.’s “shared commitment to creative expression as a force for change in the future of fashion and global retail,” per the organization. As such, the gala will carry a theme of “Threads of Impact.”
Dickson was named president and CEO of Gap Inc. in July 2023. In the top role, he leads the company’s portfolio of brands like Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. Prior to Gap, Dickson served as president and CEO at Mattel, where he oversaw brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price. He had an executive producer credit on Greta Gerwig’s billion dollar Barbie movie.
More intel on the event can be found here.
