Richard Dickson, president and chief executive officer of The Gap Inc., will be the guest of honor at Fashion Institute of Technology’s annual gala on April 14.
Hosted at the historic Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, the evening will recognize Dickson’s career, from revitalizing global icons at Mattel to ushering in a new era of American style at Gap Inc.
This year’s gala theme is “Threads of Impact,” which underscores the shared vision of FIT and Gap Inc. and acknowledges Dickson’s dedication to treating creativity as both cultural force and business imperative.
“Gap Inc. is a house of iconic American brands guided by our purpose — to bridge gaps to create a better world. That includes bridging the opportunity gap. FIT embodies that same spirit, bringing education and industry together to unlock talent and expand what’s possible. We’re committed to opening doors, investing in emerging creative and building meaningful pathways into this industry for the next generation,” Dickson said. “I’m truly honored by this recognition and proud to champion the students and future leaders who will shape what’s next in design and fashion.”
Jason S. Schupbach, president of FIT, said, “We are thrilled to celebrate Richard Dickson at FIT’s annual gala, in recognition of his remarkable achievements and leadership. Richard’s commitment to empowering the next generation reflects the heart of our mission — and inspires the entire FIT community. We are grateful for his generous support, as his work affirms what FIT has always shown: that when industry and education work as one, they are the catalyst for real-world change that shifts our culture.”
Dickson was named president and CEO of Gap Inc. in July 2023 and leads the company’s portfolio of brands including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. Earlier, he was president and chief operating officer of Mattel, where he helped reinvigorate Mattel’s brands including Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price. He was also an executive producer of the “Barbie” movie. While at Mattel, he was appointed to Gap’s board of directors in November 2022.
The FIT Gala benefits the FIT Foundation, which is dedicated to uplifting the next generation of FIT students. In addition to facilitating programs and developing new initiatives, the foundation provided scholarships totaling more than $3 million in 2025.
