On Friday evening, September 5, Cumar Marble & Granite was thrilled to present Boston design legend Yolanda Cellucci with the second annual “Designing the Next Generation Award” during a VIP reception at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation.
This award spotlights the importance of mentoring across generations and cultural barriers—not only to the field of design, where it is vital, but also to the work of creating a better society. Founded by Cumar in 2013, in partnership with the Over My Shoulder Foundation, a mentoring-awareness nonprofit, the award’s inaugural recipient was Governor Michael Dukakis.
For more than four decades, Yolanda Cellucci has worked tirelessly to translate movie-star glamour from the runway and the red carpet to the streets of America. In that time, she has mentored more than her share of young women and men: fashion designers, interior designers, and local media fixtures—as well as a familiar face in the Cumar family.
Award-winning Cumar stone designer Dawn Carroll also serves as the Executive Director of the Over My Shoulder Foundation, and was particularly delighted to be presenting this award on Friday evening.
“Like so many young women, I launched my career at her store,” explains Carroll. “She ignited confidence in me that women could be powerful business leaders, glamorous wives, and nurturing mothers. Yolanda was a wonderful mentor.”
Friday night also marked the opening of “Yolanda: Innovative Fashion Icon; 50 Years of High Heels, Headpieces, and Haute Couture, ” an exhibit of high-fashion gowns that features an all-star lineup of twentieth century designers. Curated by Cellucci herself, the exhibit includes several items from her private collection.
Here are just a few scenes from the event, courtesy of photographer Jim Canole:
Cumar’s Dawn Carroll presents the award to Yolanda Cellucci
Yolanda Cellucci (L), Dawn Carroll (R), and Meghan Carroll (center)
Guests enjoy the collection, on display through November 30
