The Tory Burch Foundation’s annual Founders Breakfast celebrated Anna Wintour’s impact on fashion and media, alongside inspiring stories from emerging female entrepreneurs. The event, held before the Met Gala, highlighted resilience, leadership, and the power of mentorship.
The annual Tory Burch Foundation Founders Breakfast has firmly established itself as a significant event preceding the Met Gala, drawing a crowd of influential figures to The Pierre hotel early on a Thursday morning.
This year’s gathering, held in early May, honored Anna Wintour as the Iconic Founder, recognizing her transformative impact on the fashion and magazine industries. The event saw a remarkable turnout, with attendees including last year’s honoree Martha Stewart, Chloe Malle, Amanda Seyfried, Huma Abedin, Aerin Lauder, and Steven Kolb, all eager to celebrate the achievements of the 2026 Founders Breakfast class.
The ambiance was carefully curated, featuring Tory Burch’s Jardin d’Été linens, creating a sophisticated setting for the inspiring stories shared. The breakfast highlighted the journeys of three exceptional entrepreneurs: Viola Sutanto, founder of the bags and accessories brand Maika; Andrea Seymour, co-founder and CEO of Springdale Custom Builders, a notable female leader in the construction sector; and Pilar Guzman, a dedicated community advocate and founder of Half Moon Empanadas.
Each woman shared her experiences of resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and the challenges and rewards of motherhood. Tory Burch herself presented the Founder’s Award to Jennifer Pitt, granddaughter of Olive Ann Beech, the pioneering co-founder of Beech Aircraft Corporation. Burch eloquently connected Beech’s strength and entrepreneurial vision to Wintour’s own legacy, noting that both women possessed a remarkable backbone and a keen sense of style.
The comparison underscored the event’s theme of celebrating women who not only build successful businesses but also reshape industries and challenge conventions. The centerpiece of the breakfast was a conversation between Tory Burch and Anna Wintour, delving into Wintour’s career trajectory and the principles that have guided her success. Wintour shared insights gleaned from her father, a former editor of London’s Evening Standard, emphasizing the importance of both competence and personal connection in hiring and mentoring.
She also discussed her long-standing role chairing the Met Gala, describing it as a “second full-time job” spanning three decades. Wintour’s perspective on identifying talent revealed a focus on dedication to craft, business acumen, and a clear vision. She emphasized the need for designers to understand the complexities beneath the surface of glamour and to articulate a unique perspective.
The event concluded with Wintour expressing her joy in fostering the growth of others and her excitement about focusing on a broader global role, allowing her to travel and contribute to the industry on a larger scale. Attendees departed, energized and inspired, ready to tackle their day with the same punctuality and determination exemplified by the honorees
Tory Burch Foundation Anna Wintour Founders Breakfast Entrepreneurship Fashion Industry
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