Fashion Glitterati Turn Out for FGI 2023 Rising Star Awards Pre-Party at Sartoria Studio in Soho

New York (April 11, 2023) – Fashion Group International (FGI) hosted an insiders-only Rising Star Awards pre-event party on Tuesday, April 4, offering the first chance for awards finalists, presenters, and FGI staff and friends to gather ahead of the 27^th annual awards ceremony. The party, held at men’s made-to-measure lounge Sartoria Studio, comes on the heels of the non-profit’s official announcement of 2023 FGI Rising Star Awards presenters, including keynote speaker Patricia Field, and other notables including Nigel Barker, LaQuan Smith, Stefano Tonchi, and more. The FGI Rising Star Awards will take place at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on May 8, 2023.
 
Event attendees included countless FGI Rising Star Awards finalists (see the full list below), and FGI President and CEO Maryanne Grisz, FGI board members James D’Adamo, and Nicole Fischelis, and other well-heeled attendees including Rebecca Moses, Nick Graham, Musa Jackson, Bill McCuddy, Chris Lavish, Melissa Vale, Kate Smolianinova, Eileen Rhein, Karina Bik, Olga Ferrara, and Katya Tolstova, among others.
 
The annual awards event, now in its 27th year, is a vital extension of FGI’s ongoing mission to connect and support the global fashion diaspora with vital career resources and connections for long term success. In many cases, the competition offers first time brand exposure for finalists. To be nominated, participants must not have been in business longer than six years. Past Rising Star Awards winners have gone on to great acclaim and success, including Jason Wu, Tory Burch, Joseph Altuzarra, Phillip Lim, Brandon Maxwell, Thom Brown, Bond No. 9, Warby Parker, Dylan Lauren of Dylan’s Candy Bar, and Jennifer Fleiss and Jennifer Hyman of Rent the Runway, to name a few.
 
The annual awards ceremony has also revamped its awards categories for the 2023 edition with a new slate of gender-inclusive categories recognizing finalists in fashion, accessories, fine jewelry, beauty, sustainability, retail, collaborations, and related categories.

See the full list of presenters and finalists below:

Keynote Speaker:  Patricia Field, Costume Designer, Entrepreneur, ARTFashion Founder

Eveningwear

Presenter: Stefano Tonchi, Palmer
 
Finalists:
Andrew Kwon, Andrew Kwon
Bach Mai, Bach Mai
Kate Barton, Kate Barton
Terry Singh, Terry Singh
Manuel Tiscareño, Tiscareno 

Ready-to-Wear

Presenter: LaQuan Smith, LaQuan Smith

Finalists:
Autumn Adeigbo, Autumn Adeigbo
Stephen Mikhail, Atelier Cillian
Kelsey and Cassidy Tucker, Deviate
Marrisa Wilson, Marrisa Wilson New York
Alex and Michael Toccin, Toccin

Active/Casualwear

Presenter: Constance White, Journalist

Finalists:
Marusya Tamboura and Burkindy, Jahnkoy
Nicholas Raefski, Nicholas Raefski
Joseph DeAcetis, Potro
Teddy von Ranson, Teddy von Ranson

Beauty Entrepreneur

Presenter: Jessica Matlin, Moda Operandi, “Fat Mascara” podcast

Finalists:
Stephanie Miklosvary, Lucky Chick
Michael and Diana Wilson, Saints & Sinners Haircare
Raquel Riley Thomas, Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty

Accessories – Hard and Soft Goods Categories

Presenter: Edmundo Castillo, Stuart Weitzman

Finalists:
Celia Torvisco, Celia Torvisco
Chris Donovan, Chris Donovan Footwear
Jennifer Rose Smail, Cuddigan Leather
Megan Key Campos & Nick Lucio, Oncept
Rowell Concepcion, Binata Millinery
Metri Holliday, Metri Holliday LLC
Lei Li / Yiren Zhou, Monsecret New York

Fine Jewelry

Presenter: Paul Morelli, Paul Morelli

Finalists:
Hakan Orrling, Arild Links
Burkindy, Burkindy
Ritika Ravi, Ivar Jewelry
Maika Rivera Tanpoco and Melizza Jaune Tanpoco, Jaune Pearls

Collaborations

Presenter: Nigel Barker, Photographer, Film Maker, Author, Creative Director

Finalists:
Collab Name: Jared Jewelers x NBA Cleveland Cavaliers “Junkyard Dog Chain”
Dan Hines, Marketing Director,Jared

Collab Name: Wolverine 1000 Mile x Old Rip Van Winkle
Scott Schoessel, VP, Global Marketing – Wolverine, Bates & Hytest, Wolverine Worldwide

Collab Name: AMER_ICAN and various designers
Vesna Cremona, Founder, AMER_ICAN

FGI Special Awards for 2023

The Hilldun Business Innovation Award

Presenter: Gary Wassner, Hilldun Corporation
Recognizing Marcelo Guimarães and Jordana Guimarães, Fashinnovation

FGI Rising Star Entrepreneur of the Year
Presenter: Kai Milla, Global Green
Recognizing Kimberly Carney, The Wires

Sustainability
Presenter: Mickey Boardman, Paper Magazine
Awardee to be announced

Looking forward to the May awards ceremony, Maryanne Grisz, FGI President and CEO observed: “We look forward to welcoming the fashion industry once again to the annual FGI Rising Star Awards to gather and celebrate some of the most promising new talents in the fashion, beauty, and business sectors. FGI has always sought to support the industry and our members, whether well-established or emerging talent. Over the years, past FGI Rising Star honorees have risen to become some of the leading voices in the business, and I cannot wait to cheer on our finalists in their next successes.”

Pre-party event sponsors included Sartoria Studio.

2023 FGI Rising Star Awards Sponsor – Hilldun Corporation

Confirmed RSVP required for event entry and on-site coverage.

When: May 8, 2023, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: The Lighthouse, Pier Sixty-One on the Hudson
Press RSVP: RSVP@anamartinspr.com

ABOUT FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL
 
Founded in 1928 by a group of seventeen women leaders, with original charters including Helena Rubenstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, Edith Head, and other renowned fashion icons, Fashion Group International (FGI) was established as an industry forum for career advancement. Today, the non-profit organization remains dedicated to connecting and supporting fashion professionals at every level, from startups to seasoned professionals. By providing access, education, and connection, FGI seeks to spark creativity, fuel innovation, and advance the business of fashion.
 
FGI global headquarters is located in New York City, with chapters in numerous regions worldwide and a roster of over 5,000 active members in fashion and related design sectors including apparel, accessories, beauty, retail, and lifestyle. Vital member benefits offered to FGI members include ongoing professional development opportunities, forums for discussion and networking, market insights, mentorship opportunities with industry leaders, business directories and resources, and high-profile event platforms for professional recognition.
 
The Fashion Group Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Fashion Group International and is dedicated to nurturing the fashion talent of tomorrow through education, scholarships, internships, and career counseling services. The FGI Foundation also promotes charitable partnerships and impactful public service initiatives.
 
Discover more at fgi.org