Ciara hosts Fashion Institute of Technology gala and Aloe Blacc performs

Last updated: March 26, 2026 1:08 am

Senior Journalist Editor

Anand Kumar is a Senior Journalist at Global India Broadcast News, covering national affairs, education, and digital media. He focuses on fact-based reporting and in-depth analysis...

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The Fashion Institute of Technology has found a fashionable host for its upcoming party: Ciara.

The Grammy winner will perform at the ceremonies at New York’s historic Cathedral of St. John the Divine on April 14. The program will also include a performance from Aloe Blacc. As previously announced, Gap President and CEO Richard Dixon will be the main winner of the night.

“I am thrilled to host FIT’s annual gala in honor of the amazing Richard Dixon,” Ciara said in a statement. “As someone who has always used fashion as a platform for expression, I know how important it is for leaders like Gap Inc. to foster creativity and invest in emerging talent. I’m proud to support an evening dedicated to connecting industry icons with the next generation, and providing FIT students with the resources they need to realize their own vision.”

Aloe Blacc performs during the 27th Annual Family Film and TV Awards. (Photo by Charlie Gallay/Getty Images for Family Movie & TV Awards)

Black added, “I’m excited to take the stage at FIT’s annual gala to celebrate the incomparable impact of Richard Dixon and the Gap Company, and to pay tribute to the inspiring FIT students who will soon be making their mark across the fashion and creative industries.”

The event is a fundraiser for the FIT Foundation, the arm of the institute designed to uplift the next generation of FIT students through scholarships and academic programs. The 2026 gala will highlight FIT and Gap Inc.’s “shared commitment to creative expression as a force for change in the future of global fashion and retail,” according to the organization. As such, the ceremony will have the theme “Threads of Influence.”

Dixon was named president and CEO of Gap Inc. in July 2023. In this top role, he leads the company’s portfolio of brands such as Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. Before joining Gap, Dixon served as president and CEO of Mattel, where he oversaw brands such as Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price. He had a $1 billion executive producer credit on Greta Gerwig Barbie film.

More information about the event can be found here.