The New York icon will be feted at Culture for One’s Nov. 3 gala, marking a partnership that brings the arts to thousands of city kids in foster care.
Bergdorf Goodman already commands the corner of Fifth Avenue, yet this fall the storied store will step onto a different stage. On Nov. 3, Culture for One will present its Inspiration Award to the retailer during a 200-guest dinner at the Edison Ballroom, a highlight of the nonprofit’s 15th-anniversary gala.
Former Costume Institute chief Harold Koda, now on Culture for One’s board, will hand the trophy to Melissa Xides, chief retail officer at Bergdorf Goodman. The honor caps three years of collaboration that has helped the organization broaden arts scholarships, museum visits and creative workshops, touching more than 3,000 children in the city’s foster-care system.
Bergdorf’s commitment formalized in 2023 with the launch of the Bergdorf Goodman Foundation Fund, which named Culture for One its inaugural beneficiary. The goal: to fold underserved communities into the cultural fabric of New York, offering young people mentors and moments that spark imagination.
“Bergdorf Goodman’s support lets us reach more kids and deepen our programs,” said executive director Susan Kasarsky. Xides echoed the sentiment, calling the nonprofit’s work “invaluable” in giving youth the confidence to chase their potential.
Guests can expect performances from young singers and dancers alongside an exhibition of artwork created in Culture for One classrooms. Proceeds from the evening will bankroll even more programming aimed at resilience and connection, while Bergdorf Goodman edges toward its own milestone: 125 years of dressing the city, and now, helping shape its future dreamers.
