October 3, 2019
Leonard A. Lauder is being honored by the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund. Image courtesy of The Estée Lauder Companies
The Lincoln Center Corporate Fund is hosting an evening in honor of Estée Lauder Companies’ chairman emeritus Leonard A. Lauder for his support of women and philanthropic efforts.
Mr. Lauder will receive the Women’s Leadership Award at a gala on Nov. 18 that will include a conversation between him and designer Tom Ford and a performance by actress-singer Jennifer Hudson. Mr. Lauder joins a list of previous honorees of the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund that includes Karl Lagerfeld, Carolina Herrera and Nicolas Ghesquière.
“I’m deeply touched and honored to receive the Women’s Leadership Award and to celebrate the incredible programs supported by the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund that bring inspiration and creativity to this city we all love,” said Mr. Lauder in a statement. “I have been fortunate to have been mentored by, and to have worked with, some of the most brilliant women in the beauty industry, and because of them I’ve learned the lesson to never, ever make an important decision without a woman at the table.”
Fundraising gala
On Nov. 18, guests will gather at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall for a Champagne reception. The festivities will continue with conversation and entertainment.
During the gala, Mr. Ford, who produces his eponymous beauty label through a licensing partnership with Estée Lauder, will take the stage for a fireside chat with Mr. Lauder. Planned topics of discussion include Mr. Lauder’s role in championing women in the beauty business and his career.
This conversation will be followed by a performance by Ms. Hudson in tribute to Mr. Lauder.
Closing out the evening will be a seated dinner.
The gala benefits the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund, which supports the center’s 10 arts organizations including the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera and Julliard.
“Leonard A. Lauder is a legendary figure in the worlds of beauty, business, the arts and philanthropy,” said Steven Swartz, president/CEO of Hearst and chairman of the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund, in a statement. “We are pleased to honor him and his achievements at this year’s gala, which raises important funds for the many performing arts organizations that make Lincoln Center a dynamic cultural hub, both for New York City and the world.”
Lincoln Center. Image credit: Lincoln Center
Among the co-chairs of the event are Harper’s Bazaar editor in chief Glenda Bailey, Mr. Swartz, Tommy and Dee Hilfiger, Bill Ford and Marigay McKee and members of the Lauder family.
In addition to performing and moderating, Ms. Hudson and Mr. Ford are on the host committee. Other hosts include Misty Copeland, Estée Lauder CEO Fabrizio Freda, Estée Lauder Breast Cancer Campaign ambassador Elizabeth Hurley and Estée Lauder spokesmodels Karlie Kloss, Hilary Rhoda and Carolyn Murphy.
Mr. Lauder will be sharing his life story and business lessons in a memoir set to be published next year.
The son of the brand’s eponymous founder has inked a deal with HarperCollins Publishers for the world rights to his book. Founded in 1946, the Estée Lauder Companies is one of the world’s leading prestige beauty groups and continues to see strong growth (see story).
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