2026 Speakers
Keynote Speaker
David Lauren
Friday, January 9 | 11 a.m.
For over 50 years, Ralph Lauren Corporation has defined timeless style and is recognized around the world as an ambassador of American quality, luxury and leadership. As chief branding and innovation officer, David Lauren oversees the company’s brand strength, innovation portfolio, marketing, advertising and public relations, and he’s been instrumental in making Ralph Lauren a leader in the digital and innovation space. David is also president of the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation, where he leads the company’s philanthropic efforts and is dedicated to the company’s corporate responsibility strategy and influential community programs. David joined the company in 2000.
Keynote Speaker
Lauren Bush Lauren
Friday, January 9 | 11 a.m.
Lauren Bush Lauren is the founder and CEO of FEED, an impact-driven brand founded on the belief that food is a universal human right. Every FEED product sold provides school meals to children through direct donations to on-the-ground partners. She is also the founder and chairman of the FEED Foundation, which has helped provide over 128 million school meals to children worldwide. Lauren resides in New York City, where she additionally serves on the board of directors for the Food Bank for NYC. Lauren and David reside in New York City and have three boys – James, Max and Rocky.
Image Credit: Frank Frances
Image Credit: Frank Frances
Keynote Moderator
Alfredo Paredes
Friday, January 9 | 11 a.m.
Renowned designer Alfredo Paredes is the creative director of Alfredo Paredes Studio, which executes residential, hospitality and retail interiors and produces eponymous collections of furniture, textiles and rugs. In March of 2025, Paredes released his debut monograph, Alfredo Paredes at Home. Prior to launching his own practice in 2019, Paredes was executive vice president and chief creative officer at Ralph Lauren, where conceived their Madison Avenue Flagship, The Polo Bar and the Central Park 50th Anniversary Runway presentation. Paredes is recognized on the ELLE Decor A-List and is regularly featured in Architectural Digest, WSJ. Magazine, Vogue and Galerie, among others.
Image Credit: Michelle Mosqueda
Design Lecture
Meyer Davis
Friday, January 9 | 2 p.m.
Image Credit: Michelle Mosqueda
Image Credit: David Urbanke
Image Credit: David Urbanke
Design Lecture
GACHOT
Friday, January 9 | 2 p.m.
John Gachot, founder and principal of GACHOT, has spent nearly three decades working as an architect and designer in New York, leading the design and project development of various high-end residential, retail, commercial, and restaurant spaces. His experience spans branding and conceptual design to architectural fruition. Notable clients include Marc Jacobs, for whom he designed a private New York residence, along with Bottega Veneta, Baker Furniture, Boucheron and Gucci stores, in addition to numerous residential projects in Aspen, Seattle, Chicago, and the Caribbean.
Christine Gachot is a principal of GACHOT, a founding member of the Female Design Council, a design ambassador for Neue House, and a board member of the Design Leadership Network. Prior to launching the studio with John, she worked with André Balazs Properties as a partner in the role of Vice President of Design Development. There, she led the design and development of iconic hotels and commercial residential projects including Hotel QT, Sunset Beach, The Standard New York, 40 Mercer Residences and The Chiltern Firehouse. Prior to ABP, Christine was a Senior Designer at Studio Sofield for 10 years and worked on numerous commercial and residential projects, including the Soho and Tribeca Grand Hotels, and Gucci Worldwide.
Image Credit: John Labbe
Floral Lecture
Preston Bailey
Saturday, January 10 | 11 a.m.
Recently named one of the best wedding designers in the world by Vogue, Preston Bailey is celebrated globally for his unique ability to transform ordinary spaces into lush floral and theatrical environments. Since opening his eponymous design studio in 1980, Preston’s one-of-a-kind, transformative designs have served as backdrops for some of life’s most memorable moments for his clients, including A-list celebrities and royal families. Preston’s designs transcend events and include art installations, tabletop collections, bedding and glassware. He’s authored seven books, starred in his own TV show and shared his expertise through speaking engagements, college courses, mentorship programs and more.
Image Credit: John Labbe
Landscape Design Lecture
Charles Stick
Saturday, January 10 | 2 p.m.
Charles J. Stick is a Charlottesville-based landscape architect celebrated for creating classical gardens. Stick attended undergrad at Middlebury College and received his MLA at the University of Virginia School of Architecture. He trained with Dan Kiley and Jaquelin Robertson as a graduate student and later joined international design firm François Goffinet Limited as a senior design architect. In 1994, Stick opened his own office, focusing on residential landscapes that harmonize house and garden. Recipient of the Arthur Ross Award for “Excellence in the Classical Tradition,” Stick’s life and work is documented in Charles J. Stick and His Gardens (Monacelli Press).
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