ALUMNI AWARDS

The 2022 Young Alumni Award was presented to Kathryn Fortunato ’02 and Lizzie Fortunato ’02, respectively, during Homecoming Weekend. The Alumni Awards recognize alumni who exemplify the qualities of a Tower Hill graduate, have distinguished themselves among their peers and have been involved with the school through volunteer work, contributions or other ways.

Young Alumni Award

Lizzie Fortunato ’02 and Kathryn Fortunato ’02, twin sisters and entrepreneurs, co-founded Lizzie Fortunato in 2008 with the intent of creating unique accessories that use unexpected materials and champion handicrafts from a breadth of places and cultures. Lizzie designs the line, while Kathryn, who got her start on Wall Street, oversees sales and operations. Lizzie studied Art History and English at Duke University—where Kathryn majored in Economics—and her interest in “dressing to tell a story” is reflected in the pieces she creates.

Lizzie constructs a distinct narrative with each collection, naming each style and often drawing on historical, artistic and architectural references as she goes. Fortunato’s designs marry found, reclaimed and precious materials in fashion forward silhouettes, and the sisters’ brand has become synonymous with unique, ahead of the curve accessories that are influenced by fine art, travel and artisanal craftwork.

Lizzie Fortunato collections include hand-crafted statement jewelry, 14-karat fine jewelry, handbags, belts, scarves and “Fortune Finds”—home decor items that they source from their travels and fellow creatives. Despite their brand and company growth, they still design and assemble the majority of their collection right in New York City and have remained self-funded and independent. Lizzie Fortunato has twice been recognized by Harper’s Bazaar Magazine as one of the ‘World’s most promising accessory lines,’ and has been tapped by numerous designers for runway collaborations. The label has been featured on the covers of Women’s Wear Daily, W Korea and Vogue China and on the pages of Vogue, British Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and The New York Times

Both members of the Class of 2002, Lizzie and Kathryn also have a younger brother, Alex Fortunato, who graduated from Tower Hill in 2005. Lizzie and Kathryn are THS Career Day favorites, having shared their entrepreneurial success story with eager Upper School students for the past two years.

Upon receiving the award, Lizzie recalled, “I remember thinking, with a very full plate getting home late at night, I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing, and this is exactly how things should be. And it was that sense of keeping lots of balls in the air and multitasking that really laid the foundation for my life at Duke, for my career, for my life as an entrepreneur that I am grateful for. So, thank you for teaching us to do many things, and to do them well.”