Design Luminaries Will Be Celebrated at NYSID Gala 2025

From left: Alessandra Branca, Jesse Carrier, Mara Miller, Beth Diana Smith ’15 (AAS)

The planning for NYSID Gala 2025 on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 has begun and it is shaping up to be an unforgettable event. NYSID is pleased to announce the four industry professionals who will be honored for the impact and excitement of their work, forward-thinking contributions, and bold leadership in the world of design. 

  • Alessandra Branca, founder of Branca Inc. and Casa Branca, will receive the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award. 

  • Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller, founding principals of Carrier and Company Interiors, will receive the Larry Kravet Design Industry Leadership Award.  

Awards are presented in these three categories to individuals or companies in residential or commercial design who have made significant contributions to the interior design profession.    

David Sprouls, president of NYSID said, “As a group, our 2025 honorees represent a diversity in approach—and style—that reflects contemporary interior design. They took varied paths to the field of design and run their firms differently, but both their aesthetic sensibilities and business acumen allowed them to build the thriving practices they have today. All three are truly inspirational to our students. I could not be more thrilled to celebrate their impact and honor them in a room full of their friends and colleagues.”    

This year’s gala will be co-chaired by Chesie Breen, Ingrid Edelman, Alexa Hampton, Young Huh, David Kleinberg, and Betsey Ruprecht. It is expected to bring together over 300 designers, philanthropists, and supporters. Alexa Hampton will emcee the night with her inimitable wit and energy.  

“NYSID's annual Gala raises funds for scholarships that allow talented students who couldn’t otherwise attend to matriculate and learn from the school’s award-winning faculty. Often, these very same students go on to be industry innovators like their mentors,” said Ellen Kravet, chairman of the NYSID Board of Trustees. “By joining us at the Gala you are helping us nurture and support the creativity of these students. Please join us in March to celebrate the achievements of our exceptional honorees.” 

NYSID expresses our deepest appreciation to The Shade Store for once again sponsoring The Rising Star Award. Many thanks to awards sponsor, Baccarat–the French luxury maison known for its objects of unparalleled beauty–for providing the stunning Octogone vases for our distinguished honorees.     

givingOlivia Baldaccigala