Despite the impeachment-worthy scandal involving Donald Trump's comments to her husband about Joe Biden, the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, stepped out looking unshakably glamorous to attend Fashion 4 Development's 9th Annual First Ladies Luncheon in New York this week.

Zelenska, along with First Ladies and dignitaries from around the world - who are in town for the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly - attended the afternoon fete at The Pierre to celebrate the global progress made towards sustainability and consciousness in the fashion industry.

F4D founder Evie Evangelou welcomed industry leaders, political influencers, and fashionistas to the event, where change-makers were both honored and, in the case of the late, great, Azzedine Alaïa, remembered. IMAGINE co-founder Valerie Keller kicked off the day's ceremonies with an urgent call to action, and accepted this year’s Medal of Honor on behalf of President of France Emmanuel Macron, who helped form the The Fashion Pact and has included sustainability in fashion as part of the G7 agenda. Italian filmmaker and son of Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani, Francesco Carrozzini, took to the stage to present an award named after his late mother to Studio 189's Abrima Erwiah and Rosario Dawson (who tuned in via video), while his aunt, fellow fashion icon Carla Sozzani, was honored for her work as the President of The Alaïa Foundation.

While the day was filled with inspiring moments and honorees, some of our favorite highlights took place on the catwalk. Model and Alaïa muse Veronica Webb shared touching memories of her friend before introducing a stunning retrospective of the designer's work - the first Alaïa fashion show in New York since 1985. Later on, the First Lady of Haiti, Martine Moise, presented a show of innovative Haitian designers, whose pieces were each a certified work of art.

Clothes, change, and a three-course lunch - click through for an inside look at what you missed!

[Photos courtesy Getty]

Valerie Keller

The Guest List

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