For more than forty years, her flattering, feminine looks have made her one of America’s most popular designers for first ladies, anchorwomen, business women, partygoers and bridal parties.



After graduating from Parsons School of Design, Kay Unger entered the fashion world in 1968 as a design assistant to Geoffrey Beene. Two years later, she founded her own dress firm, Kay – the first of several successful global fashion companies she both founded and managed, including The Gillian Group, A.J. Bari, Kay Unger New York, Kay J’s Pajamas and Phoebe Couture. In 2012, she formed Kay Unger Design as a means of focusing her boundless energy on unique design projects that benefit from her creative and leadership skills. Kay continues to consult for both design related companies and nonprofit organizations. Kay is currently in collaboration with Line in the Sand, a protective and active waterwear brand where 100% of the profits go to ocean and cancer organizations. 

Kay serves as Trustee of The New School and Chair Emerita of Parsons School of Design, her alma mater. She has been a member of the Parsons School of Design Board of Governors since 2006 where she enthusiastically served as Chairman from 2013 to 2020. 

Kay’s commitment to philanthropy began at an early age with her involvement in the Epstein Fine Arts Fund, formed in honor of her brother, Stephen Julius, who passed away in early childhood. In 2010, she founded her own foundation, The Kay Unger Family Foundation, where she now serves as chief executive officer. With its mission of “venture philanthropy,” The Kay Unger Family Foundation continues her family’s legacy of supporting underserved youth talented in the arts and providing them with the tools they need to make a difference. The Kay Unger Family Foundation also supports already existing foundations for cancer care and research. Kay is also Co-Chair of Fashion for the Front Lines, a New York City based task force that was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the singular goal to secure personal protective equipment (PPE) for the medical workers on the front lines.

Kay currently serves on the Board of Directors for The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF), the Advisory Board for Retailers United and the Advisory Council for The Philip Johnson Glass House. She is actively involved as a project champion to the Promise Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underserved children with learning disabilities get the support they need to learn. Kay is a longtime board member of The New East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League, the New York City based volunteer fundraising group for the City of Hope. Additional service activities and honors include President of Fashion Group International, member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, founding member of C200, first woman on The Boys and Girls Club of America’s Board of Directors and recipient of the City of Hope Cancer Hospital Spirit of Life Award.

Born and raised in Chicago, Kay has lived in New York throughout her career; she currently lives in SoHo with her longtime partner, David Rubin. She has two sons and six grandchildren.

Curriculum vitae

+ PROFESSIONAL PROFILE & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Successful designer and co-owner of internationally recognized diversified women’s apparel corporation. Proven ability to effect consistent volume and bottom line increases. Expert at identifying new opportunities and quickly bringing them to market. Well respected for a wide range of professional, educational and philanthropic endeavors.

  • As eponymous designer for more than 50 years, my collections of dresses, suits, sportswear, and intimate apparel have met the changing needs and busy lifestyles of American women
  • Established a strong brand image for each of the company’s divisions: Kay Unger (day & evening dresses, one of the fashion industry’s largest suits collections, and sportswear), Kay J’s (pajamas), and Phoebe (younger dresses & suits)
  • Consistently among highest revenue producing designers in Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and leading independent retailers nationwide
  • Hold exclusive license with Bed, Bath & Beyond for design of complete collection of Kay Unger branded bedding and home products did launch in May 2005
  • Design comprehensive Kay Unger private label collection of proprietary designs for Talbot’s, Victoria’s Secret, Marshall’s, Loehmann’s and White House Black Market
  • Grew Gillian/A.J. Bari to a $125 million company with 300 employees
  • Designed comprehensive better leather collection under license for Vericci Leathers, Inc. (2000-2001)
  • Designed eyewear collection under license for Nouveau Eyewear
  • Developed a strong client base through total dedication to her unique fit, high quality design and customer service
  • Kay Unger brand was truly multigenerational - dressing all different ages of a family for important occasions in their lives
  • Leading by example, created a corporate atmosphere in which entire team is a stakeholder in company’s success

+ CAREER HISTORY (AS A DESIGNER)

  • Kay Unger Design, Co-Owner & CEO, 2012-Present
  • Kay Unger New York, LLC, Co-Owner & President of Design, 1995 to 2012
  • Gillian/A.J. Bari, Inc., Founder, Co-Owner and Head Designer, 1972-1995
  • Kay Unger, Owner and Designer, 1971-1972
  • Traina-Norell, Inc., Sole designer of Traina boutique sportswear, 1969-1970
  • Geoffrey Beene, Inc., Design Associate, 1968-1969

+ recent consulting (kay unger design)

Consultant, Line in the Sand
A protective and active waterwear brand where 100% of the profits go to ocean and cancer organizations

Committee Member + Mentor, XRC Labs
An innovation accelerator for the next generation of disruptors in the retail technology and consumer goods sectors, founding partners for XRC include Kurt Salmon and Parsons School of Design at the New School in New York City

Advisor, FFORA
A lifestyle and accessories brand primarily for the disability community founded by Lucy Jones, Parsons' Womenswear Designer of the year Class of 2015

Advisor, Care + Wear
Leading provider of innovative healthwear Consultant, Marla Wynne

Advisor, Caraa
New York City-based sport bag and accessory company founded in 2015 by CFDA award-winning designer Carmen Chen Wu and Aaron Luo

Advisory Board, Cayetano Legacy

+ education & educational activities

EDUCATION

Parsons School of Design, B.F.A. Fashion Design, 1965-1968
Washington University, Saint Louis, Missouri, 1963-1965 (Former member of The William Greenleaf Eliot Society)

ONGOING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES (KUFF)

Guest critic to Fashion Design Department, Rhode Island School of Design
1995-1998

Trustee, The New School
2011-Present

Board Member, Parsons School of Design Board of Governors
2006-Present
Chairman of the Board of Governors, 2013-2020
Chair Emerita of Parsons School of Design, 2020-Present

+ Professional Organizations and Philanthropic Service (KUFF)

Founder and CEO, Kay Unger Family Foundation
(previously named Stephen Julius Foundation), 2009-Present

Co-Chair, Fashion for the Front Lines
2020-Present

Board & Advisory Board, Retailers United
2020-Present

Board of Directors, The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF)
2019-Present

Advisory Council, The Philip Johnson Glass House
2019-Present

Benefit Committee, LOOT: Mad About Jewelry (Museum of Art and Design)
2015-Present

Project Champion, Promise Project
2011-Present

Board Member, The New East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League (New York City based volunteer fundraising group for the City of Hope)
2007-Present

Member, Women’s Economic Forum
2003-Present

Member, Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
1990 to Present

Founding Member, The Committee of 200 (C200)
1985-Present

Former President & Current Member, The Fashion Group International
1970-Present
During tenure as President raised $250,000 for breast cancer research to Memorial Sloan Kettering Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center.

Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Club of America
1988-

Dress for Success
2004-2008

Board Member, Women’s Leadership Board, JFK School of Government, Harvard University
2000-2002

Women’s Leadership Forum
1994-1999

Kids Stopping Aids Together, Long Island, N.Y.
1991-1992

Director, Epstein Fine Arts Fund
1967-1998

+ Industry Recognition and Philanthropic Awards

  • Distinguished Service Award, The New School, 2016
  • Honoree, LOOT: Mad About Jewelry (Museum of Art and Design), 2016
  • Recipient of City of Hope’s Spirit of Life® Awards at annual “Woman of the Year”, 2009
  • Jane Pauley Show, NBC-TV, Featured Guest Speaker, 2004
  • Named a Leading Woman Entrepreneur of the World, 2000
  • Dress for Success, Long Island Honoree, 2004
  • Dallas Fashion Award Winner, 2004 & 1998
  • Women’s Campaign for American Jewish Committee, Human Relations Award, 1996
  • Savvy 60 Award honoring exceptional women-owned businesses, 1990
  • Awarded first Girls Inc.’s She Knows Where She’s Going Award, 1985
  • (later known as Girls Clubs of America)
  • American Women’s Economic Development, Appreciation Award, 1980