Cocktails – photo by Laurel Marcus
The Rising Stars shone brightly at Fashion Group International’s 29th Annual Awards luncheon on Wednesday, held for the second consecutive year at 538 Park Avenue’s Barbie pink-lit event space.
The event’s host, actress/comedian/self-professed fashion moocher Tiffany Haddish, who was somewhat unrecognizable in a straight brunette bob hairstyle, gave it more street cred and a less pretentious vibe than in other years.
Alyce Panico, Robert Chavez, Tiffany Haddish, Maryanne Grisz, & Gary Wassner – photo courtesy FGI
Haddish wore a halter gown designed by tablemate and last year’s eveningwear co-winner Cyril Verdavainne, whom she kept referring to as Cecil. “If you’re going to shake up the world, you may as well do it in something stylish like Cecil’s,” she deadpanned.
The finalists were everywhere and easy to spot during the lower-level 11 AM cocktail reception, creating a fun atmosphere and a chance to learn what each designer/entrepreneur was bringing to the fashion, beauty, retail tech, and accessories space.
Dandies and winner Natalia Fedner – photo by Laurel Marcus
Notables (some who served as presenters) included Ken Downing, Elie Tahari, Dennis Basso, Nicole Fischelis, Fern Mallis, Joanna Coles, Jonathan Cohen, Gary Wassner, Reem Acra, and quite a few dandies (are there more now because of the upcoming Met Museum exhibition?) mingled in the crowded space and on the red carpet.
Threesome with Evan Hirsch – photo by Laurel Marcus
The awards were rolled out methodically over a lunch of bulgur salad appetizer and roasted salmon entrée. Maryanne Grisz mentioned that they received over 100 nominations, then winnowed down to less than half the number of finalists. She stressed that the final voting for the winners was “very close.”
Maryanne Grisz – photo by Addy Media
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Robert Chavez, the retired Executive Chairman of Hermes Americas. He told a story about his humble beginnings wearing a lime green shirt (eventually banned by a supervisor) while toiling on the floor of Bloomingdale’s.
Nicole Fischelis, Kevin Barker, Anne Millman – photo by Laurel Marcus
Next, Carly Bigi received the Hilldun Business Innovation Award. Her company, Laws of Motion, produces a “revolutionary size system which solves the trillion-dollar return crisis.” Launched in 2019, the predictive technology brings the return rate of clothing due to incorrect sizing down to 1%!
Camille Jiang of LIM College received the Future Fashion Award Sponsored by Macy’s, while Omar and Zane Sabre of Maison Sabre received the Sustainability Award.
Marilyn Kirschner & Suzanne Dache – photo by Laurel Marcus
Fern Mallis presented the Accessories Award but found it necessary to address the “unprecedented times we live in — no one knows what goes on from one day to another, and we are all terrified.” This category was a tie between footwear brands Nanette Adair, Rex Shoes (a tribute to her grandfather, a shoe cobbler), and Sagmin Park, 4CCCCEES.
Caroline Fabrigas presented the Beauty award to the beauteous Pratika Swarup, whose skincare line is Prakti. The line will be a huge success if you are guaranteed to look like her.
Jonathan Cohen & Micaela – photo by Laurel Marcus
Next, Joanna Coles (formerly of Marie Claire) presented the Fine Jewelry award but not before apologizing for speaking in a “bad Italian accent” tell a story about her first meeting with Valentino in 2006, where she was urged in advance by his handlers not to mention the Iraq war (already going on for three years).
Thinking this was a strange request, she asked why and was told, “Mr. Valentino doesn’t know about it. Mr. Valentino doesn’t like bad news—he creates beauty—he must live in the world of beauty.” “Hold your beauty to you because it will sustain you in moments of great difficulty,” was Ms. Coles’ advice before announcing that Paola Sasplugas, PDPAOLA, had won the award.
Designer Reem Acra presented the Fashion Apparel: Bridal category with “What you create isn’t just fashion, it’s legacy.” The winner: Jaclyn Whyte, Jaclyn WHYTE
Finalist Sydnie Peebles of Sydnie Banks – photo by Laurel Marcus
Designer Jonathan Cohen presented Bonnie Young with the coveted Fashion Apparel: Ready-To-Wear award BY.BONNIEYOUNG mentioned that she was nominated by Designer Frederick Anderson while dressing men for the Blue Jacket Prostate Cancer Benefit Show.
Ken Downing presented the final award, Fashion Apparel: Eveningwear, with a story from his mother’s closet (which he said he’s glad to be out of) from when he was six years old and picked out his mother’s outfit for a formal.
He also recounted a story of being approached recently by a woman on the subway who told him that she was in the graduating class at FIT when he was the commencement speaker.
Jeanette Limas (Center) – photo by Laurel Marcus
She recounted that she had followed all his advice and is now a designer for Donna Karan. “Your dream is achievable by being an individual,” he continued. “Everything you want is waiting for you. It’s up to you.”
And if that wasn’t enough, Ken then presented the award to Natalia Fedner, who tearfully explained that she hadn’t prepared a speech because she didn’t think winning was possible.
As a Ukrainian refugee who came to this country with nothing, she left no dry eye in the place. She explained how her mother taught her to draw when she was two, “to keep me busy while she was at work.”
The designer urged people to touch her gold mesh dress. She had invented a six-way stretch material that is now patented, and she mentioned that Tiffany Haddish had been a client for seven years.
Photo by Laurel Marcus
Ms. Haddish closed the awards luncheon at 2 PM with a comic call to designers: “I need jewelry, skincare, clothes, and shoes made for a bunion on the left foot.”
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