FGI Announces New Fashion Mentorship Program at 27th Annual Rising Star Awards Ceremony in New York

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

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.

FASHIONADO