See Paris Hilton, Nicky Rothschild, and Hilary Rhoda Party with Dennis Basso

Everyone loves Dennis Basso, the startlingly talented fur couturier and fashion designer who has an ardent following among the city’s chicest chicsters.

It was no surprise when the Fashion Institute of Technology decided to honor Basso at its annual gala with the Designer of the Year Award that le-tout New York (some 600 strong) would turn out to cheer him on.

Among Basso’s friends paying tribute were Paris Hilton, her sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Ivana Trump, Hilary Rhoda, Sean Avery, Carol Alt, Adrienne Vittadini, Yaz Hernandez and June Ambrose.

FIT president Dr.Joyce Brown presented Basso with his award, after which the designer gave a funny and moving speech that traced his fascination with all things fashionable to his childhood.  “When everyone else was outside playing, I was inside trying to make a dress,” he said. He also recalled his first days at FIT and how he quickly found his sartorial soul mates, some of whom have stayed close friends over the course of his entire career.

Also honored at the gala were John and Laura Pomerantz, who received the Patrons of the Year Award; and QVC, which earned the  Retailer of the Year Award. QVC. Mike George, president and CEO of QVC, was on hand to accept the honor.

During the gala QVC announced their new scholarship fund, which will provide seven $5000-a-year scholarships for four years to FIT students who come from the countries in which QVC operates (US, Japan, Germany, UK, Italy, France and China). The company, with its powerful platform for launching new designers and brands, said it made the scholarship commitment because it believes in the talent that’s nurtured at FIT.

They need look no further than Dennis Basso to realize how brilliant students have flourished at the college.