“I love when my creative partners are also dedicated to doing great work for the communities,” Shahidi told Variety on the carpet. “I feel like oftentimes fashion can feel like it exists in a world that is separate from the rest of it all, so it’s really important when platforms like Kering uses all all that lovely good that they have amassed to be able to give back.”

Despite the bold-faced names in attendance, Shahidi says she’s most inspired by the local organizers that Kering gives a voice to during their annual event.

“This has been the time, more than anything, that I’ve deferred to the actual organizers,” she says. “I feel like oftentimes it feels as though people with a platform that are more public-facing have all the answers but more than anything this has been the year of the community organizer, it’s been the year of paying attention to what they’re doing and just figuring out how to be of support. 

Every organization they’ve chosen to support tonight are really so community-based in such a lovely way, and I think that really is the best way to give back: paying attention to the people doing the work year-round.”

The most star-studded event of New York Fashion Week so far wasn’t a runway show but the Kering Foundation’s Caring for Women dinner on Thursday night.

François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of the luxury conglomerate, in addition to his wife Salma Hayak, Colman Domingo, Jessica Chastain, Demi Moore,  Julianne Moore and Madonna were the co-hosts of the evening