You can tell a lot about a school from its alumni relations. Very few design schools can (and do) boast its alumni like Parsons, whose graduates include Donna Karan, Doo-Ri and Lazaro Hernandez and Lack McCullough of Proenza Schouler, Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava, and Jason Wu. So when Parsons sets out to raise a few bucks for scholarships, expect star attendance from beloved ex-students. At the 2010 Fashion Benefit honoring the career of Vera Wang, the evening emphasized Parsons' next generation by naming 2010's Designers of the Year from its graduating class. An award Marc Jacobs once received (in 1984), this year's crop found inspiration in memory and "weird science." Surrounded by nervous students, designer (and Board of Governor's member) Kay Unger announced the three winners from a group of nearly a hundred. Childrenswear winner Susan Kay had turned to the films of John Hughes for geek-chic inspiration, with little boys' bowties and well-tailored jackets with pressed handkerchiefs peeking out. "I have a lot more fun designing for kids, but I do have a lot of people coming up to me saying that I should make my collection for men, too," Kay says about the reception of her pint-sized pieces. Womenswear honoree Niloufar Mozafari created a flowing, dreamy and jewel-toned collection, while Dylan Taverner (who formerly mentored under Patrik Ervell and already has a CFDA scholarship under his belt) played with voluminous, Rick Owens-inspired layers for guys. No graduation gowns were noted. –LELIA BRILLSON