The Breakfast Club
By Wanda Jankowski

Arthur S. Tauber flanked by granddaughters Becky (left) and Maddie Tauber, who are sisters.

F.I.T. honors three industry greats while raising funds for its unique Home Products Development Program

On Feb. 12, the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) holds its 12th annual Scholarship Awards Breakfast to support the college’s Home Products Development program. The event honored leaders in the industry and raised funds for student scholarships.
This year’s honorees are:

• Industry Leader of the Year Award: Neil Cole, president, CEO and chairman of Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

In 1977, Neil Cole joined El Greco, Inc., a footwear company founded by his father and eventually home of the Candie’s brand. He became president in 1983, but left El Greco to start licensing company New Retail Concepts which later bought El Greco.

In July 2005, Candie’s became Iconix Brand Group, Inc., restructuring into a brand management firm. Iconix now has more than 145 licensees and has acquired brands such as Cannon®, Royal Velvet® and Fieldcrest®.

Cole is most proud of his role as founder and chairman of the board of the Candie’s Foundation, a public charity dedicated to educating teens about the consequences of teen pregnancy.

• Outstanding Achievement Award: Arthur Tauber, founder and chairman of Avanti Linens
In 1969, Arthur Tauber began Avanti Linens, decorative towel manufacturer. Today it employs 200 workers, with headquarters and factory in New Jersey as well as a New York showroom.

Tauber is a past president of the National Bed and Bath Association and has served on the boards and as a member of several university and charitable organizations, but in his view, “I guess my greatest accomplishment is that with my wife we have produced a nice family. We have two great families from our two sons that we all love very much.”

Neil Cole

• Life Achievement Award: Shared by Fred and James Richman, president emeritus and president, respectively, of Richloom Fabrics

In business for more than 50 years, Richloom Fabrics Group is a family run textile company. Fred Richman developed it into a converter of curtain and drapery market cloths for manufacturers, book jobbers and retailers.

Today, under the direction of Fred’s son, James, the company has grown into a multi-faceted global firm supplying home products to customers worldwide. Through James’ vision, Richloom Shanghai Trading LTD was also established in China.

Regarding the accomplishment of which he is most proud, Fred Richman says, “It is the raising of two wonderful children, who I know will continue the work that we started hoping to make the world a better place for all.”

“My greatest accomplishment,” says James, “is maintaining my energy to enjoy the most important things: my family, my circle of friends, my business and the well-being of my employees.”
These highlights are only a glimpse of the business, personal and philanthropic accomplishments of the deserving honorees.

The F.I.T. Scholarship Awards Breakfast truly unites the past, present and future of the industry in a special way.