​A Night of Legacy: Mothers to Daughters Redefines New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week is often a whirlwind of fleeting trends, but on February 10, Mothers to Daughters (M2D) proved that some things, like mentorship and lineage, never go out of style. The organization’s inaugural Legacy Walk, held at Cineplay in NYC, transformed the traditional runway into a powerful tribute to the women who pave the way for future generations.

Walking the Talk

The atmosphere was electric as the "Legacy Walk" moved beyond standard fashion show tropes. Instead of solo models, the runway featured pairs: biological mothers and daughters, and mentors and mentees. The most poignant moment of the evening came when Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, the celebrated actress from The Color Purple, took to the stage walking hand-in-hand with her mother.

This intergenerational tribute perfectly captured the mission of M2D founder Francine Mbvoumbo. “This wasn’t just a fashion show,” Mbvoumbo remarked. “It’s about how we architect impact... honoring motherhood and mentorship as engines of economic empowerment.”

A Fusion of Art and Entrepreneurship

The event was a multidimensional cultural experience, blending high fashion with high-impact storytelling:

• Creative Excellence: Internationally recognized illustrator Beckie Di Leo brought her signature artistry to the evening, continuing a long-standing creative partnership with Mbvoumbo.
• 13 designers represened: The runway featured a curated selection of designers including Kibonen (who is donating proceeds from her Mafo dress movement to M2D), House of Nova, Samantha Siu, and Ron Dyce.
• The Brands That Backed us: The Salary Bump, Inside Fashion Design, Flo Unleashed, Renovatio Global and more

Impact Beyond the Runway

While the fashion was stunning, the heart of the night was rooted in M2D’s status as a 501(c)(3) organization. The evening included a curated silent auction featuring pieces from Tom’s Sons and Laura Kass, with all proceeds supporting M2D’s ambitious goal: to launch and grow 100,000 women entrepreneurs by 2035.

As the curtains closed on this year’s Legacy Walk, it was clear that Mothers to Daughters has established a new NYFW tradition, one that measures success not just in silhouettes, but in the strength of the bonds between the women who walk them.

Keep the Momentum Going The event may be over, but the mission continues. You can still support the goal of empowering 100,000 women by donate here​

Date with Daughters

The Money Conversation: Mothers, Daughters & the Future of Wealth

The Money Conversation: Mothers, Daughters & the Future of Wealth is rarely discussed across generations, and even more rarely among women. Yet financial literacy and entrepreneurship remain two of the most powerful tools for autonomy, sustainability, and long-term impact.​
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At Date with Daughters, our curated gathering of emerging and established entrepreneurs, mentors, and visionary women, we intentionally break that silence. This edition invites us into an honest, structured conversation about money, ownership, and building enterprises that outlive us.​
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With special guest Constance Victory, we will explore how financial literacy becomes confidence, how entrepreneurship becomes leverage, and how intentional wealth-building becomes legacy.
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Because legacy is not simply something we leave behind. It is something we build, together, across generations.

THE BALL OF WISDOM

Thursday, May 14: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

We are curating a distinguished fundraising gathering where visionaries, executives, investors, philanthropists, creatives, founders, cultural leaders, and global changemakers will convene for a celebration of elegance, elevation, and enduring legacy.