NEW YORK (May 8, 2023) – Fashion Group International (FGI) welcomed industry luminaries and leading tastemakers to The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City on Monday, May 8, for the 27th annual FGI Rising Star Awards. The awards ceremony and red-carpet event, sponsored by Hilldun Corporation, recognized winners in updated gender inclusive categories including fashion apparel, accessories, fine jewelry, beauty, sustainability, collaborations, and more. At the event, FGI also revealed the FGI Foundation’s first-ever fashion mentorship program.
The ceremony kicked off with a keynote speech from fashion icon and ARTFashion Founder Patricia Field, and remarks by FGI President and CEO Maryanne Grisz, who took the opportunity to reveal the FGI Foundation’s plan to launch the mentorship program.
“The FGI Rising Star Awards were created as a platform to celebrate and elevate the next generation of leaders in our field,” said Maryanne Grisz. “With our new Rising Star mentorship program, we at Fashion Group International are proud to provide award winners with more tools to grow their business with guidance from some of the industry’s most experienced leaders.”
The well-heeled crowd of attendees – including Fern Mallis, Terry Singh, Carlos Campos, Ken Downing, Chris Leoni, Brian Ceballo, Chris Lavish, Katya Tolstova, and Olga Ferrara – walked the red carpet at The Lighthouse, mingling for cocktails before the seated dinner and recognition of award winners in the following categories:
Eveningwear: Bach Mai, presented by Stefano Tonchi
Ready-to-Wear: Marrisa Wilson, presented by LaQuan Smith
Active/Casualwear: Teddy von Ranson, presented by Constance White
Beauty Entrepreneur: Michael and Diana Wilson, Saints & Sinners Haircare, presented by Jessica Matlin, Moda Operandi, “Fat Mascara” podcast
Accessories – TIED
Chris Donovan, Chris Donovan Footwear, presented by Edmundo Castillo, Stuart Weitzman
Megan Key Campos & Nick Lucio, Oncept, presented by Edmundo Castillo, Stuart Weitzman
Fine Jewelry: Burkindy, Burkindy, presented by Paul Morelli
Collaborations: Thomas Kennedy, Group President, Wolverine Work,
Wolverine 1000 Mile x Old Rip Van Winkle, presented by Nigel Barker
Sustainability: Autumn Adeigbo, presented by Mickey Boardman
The Hilldun Business Innovation Award: Marcelo Guimarães and Jordana Guimarães, Fashinnovation, presented by Gary Wassner, Hilldun Corporation
FGI Rising Star Entrepreneur of the Year: Kimberly Carney, The Wires, presented by Kai Milla, Global Green
About the FGI Rising Star Awards Mentorship Program
For the first time in the history of the annual awards show, FGI will now offer a new mentorship program, powered by the FGI Foundation. The program will educate and empower all FGI Rising Star Awards winners by connecting these rising stars with industry veterans for mentorship, career support, and educational resources.
The program’s first mentors will include:
GARY WASSNER – HILLDUN CORPORATION
EDWINA KULEGO – INFORMA MARKETS
BEHNAZ GHARAMANI – BROTHER VELLIES
CAROLINE FABRIGAS – SCENT MARKETING INC.
CARLOS CAMPOS – DESIGNER
NICOLE FISCHELIS – FASHION FORECASTING AND FGI COMMUNIQUE CURATOR
DOUGLAS HAND, ESQ. – HAND BALDACHIN AND ASSOCIATES LLP
ALYCE PANICO – LUXE COLLECTIVE GROUP
The FGI mentorship program will also encompass a learning series of videos produced by LOCATION 8, covering key business challenges and the tools needed to succeed in overcoming them.
SPONSORED BY
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 maintains a headquarters in New York City, 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.
Discover more at fgi.org
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.
ABOUT THE FGI Rising Star Awards
The annual FGI Rising Star 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.
