Fashion Report: Reflecting Style at the 2025 IESNYC Lumen Gala
By Randy and Lori Reid
Inspired by this year’s theme, Reflect & Refract, the IESNYC Lumen Gala once again celebrated the transformative power of light—how it shapes, mirrors, and reimagines the spaces we inhabit, as well as the brilliant minds who bring those visions to life.
In recent years, our fashion report has become a tradition nearly as anticipated as the Gala itself. While Mrs. Reid couldn’t attend in person this time, she lent her sharp eye and editorial insight to help craft this year’s coverage. Together, we spotlight the style, sparkle, and standout moments from a truly luminous evening.
I walked in with Nityah Bhorra of Enterprise Lighting Sales, and could not get over his shoes. They were gorgeous. They are from Jil Sander, a designer with whom we were unfamiliar. Lori liked them so much she suggested a pair for my birthday. Then we visited JilSander.com. While we could not find the exact shoes, we did see a low-heeled loafer for $1,590. Lori will come up with something else for my birthday.
Shoshanna Segal of Hartranft Lighting Studios was spotted with Jeff Ramesar of Ecosense, effortlessly balancing elegance and edge. When asked about her dress, she quipped, “It’s restrained and sparkly.” We couldn’t have said it better—understated shimmer never looked so bold.
Randy Sabedra, RS Lighting Design, Wendy Kaplan, Kelvix, and Christine Heller, Focus Lighting (who was also the chair of the IESNYC Lumen Awards), gave me a quick pose. I asked Christine about her dress, and she said, “I bought the dress in 2020 because I was to receive a Lumen Award that year, and I had planned to wear it to the Lumens in 2020, which obviously never happened. And so today I’m wearing it. I love it because it fits the theme.” Yes, it does. I asked Randy about his tie, and he said, “I think it speaks for itself. It’s all about reflection.” When I asked who the designer was, he quickly replied, “Amazon.”
Tom Lillie and Gary Haray of WAC Lighting had their picture made with our own Cliff Smith. Tom looked dapper in his Peter Millar suit, while Gary gave him a run for his money in a sharp Nordstrom ensemble. Style points all around. Of course, Cliff always looks polished, but this was one of the first times I’ve seen him tieless.
Clara Powell and Tony DeLaurentis lit up the room with their joyful energy and classic style. Clara dazzled in a black sequin dress paired with a sparkling choker and sheer wrap—elegant and effortless. Tony kept it timeless in a crisp white shirt and deep blue suit, proving that a great smile is always the best accessory.
We caught up with Miyoung Song of HLB Lighting and her husband, Brian Carroll, at the photo booth. While Miyoung stunned in a reflective dress that shimmered under the lights, it was Brian’s tie that stole the spotlight—a cherished family heirloom. As Miyoung shared, the tie is over 50 years old and was a gift from her father during a trip to Korea. A beautiful blend of style and story.
Scott Hershman had me doing a double-take—I initially thought he was sporting a military ribbon rack. But look closer, and you’ll spot a charming row of dangling A-lamps instead. While admiring his whimsical accessory, I also learned he recently joined LPA, a global distributor. His role? Supporting specifiers and ensuring their designs stay intact across LPA’s international footprint.
Melissa Deutsch Stein of SDA Lighting and Controls and Alessa Aguayo of Lumenwerx lit up the room with timeless elegance and effortless style—stunning, sophisticated, and nothing short of red carpet–ready.
Joey Basile of Intra-lighting had probably the most colorful suit of the evening. The suit is one of Amazon’s finest, and the color is Intra-orange, the color of his company logo. That is dedication!
Francesca Bastianini from Sighte Studio said there was nothing special about her outfit, but she introduced me to her very nice wife, Tin Lee. They look like such a happy couple, we wanted to include them in the report.
Fritz Ta of Ventresca Lighting Design shared that he originally bought his dazzling shirt for a Beyoncé concert—because, as he put it, “she came out Disco Unicorn.” While his shoes didn’t make it into the photo, they deserve a mention: a special-edition pair of New Balance sneakers he purchased 10 to 15 years ago—and wore for the very first time that night.
Ilva Dodaj of Domingo González Associates was stunning in sleek all black, effortlessly elegant as always. Standing next to her, I couldn’t help but think: this one’s clearly Beauty and the Beast!
Doesn’t Linda Miller look like a million dollars? I love her!
Gary Dulanski didn’t just bring the sparkle—he brought rock ‘n’ roll royalty. His shimmering jacket came from the same atelier that dressed the King himself, Elvis Presley.
Aditi Dhingra absolutely stole the show with her shimmering mylar dress, crafted from material originally used in her thesis project at The New School at Parsons earlier this year. I had the distinct honor of evaluating that thesis in person, and while the project itself was remarkable. I must admit—the mylar looks even more exquisite as couture.
The only thing I can say about this picture is that Charles Selander of Illuminations, Inc. should be the next James Bond. Selander, Charles Selander!
When I saw Joe Grinstead of Convey Lighting in that suit, I said, “I want one, too.” Sharp enough to light up a showroom—no fixture required.
Jane L. Wechsler of FMS poses with Asher Schoenberg of SDA Lighting & Controls. Asher also served as a Master of Ceremonies. Jane had a hidden switch in her outfit, allowing her to power her fashion statement on and off.
As the social hour ended and the show began, one thing was clear: the IESNYC Lumen Gala wasn’t just a celebration of lighting excellence—it was a runway of creativity, confidence, and community spirit. From shimmering gowns and statement accessories to thoughtful nods to the theme, the fashion on display reflected the same brilliance and ingenuity that defines our industry. I look forward to next year when Mrs. Reid can again resume her duties.
Go Deeper: Read about the awards and see comments from the award winners in designing lighting (dl) magazine
Highlights from the 2024 IESNYC Lumen Awards Gala