Night of StarsThe Composers

3Ready-to-Wear Report

Our 20/20 Vision

4Wendy D'Amico

Rising StarNew & Improved

Rising Stars Voting Gets an Update

New Membership Options

Scholarship Funds

5Upcoming Events

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1. Superstar Rick Owens, center, with presenters Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West

2. Fashion Legend Ralph Rucci

3. Fashion Star Brandon Maxwell with presenter Nina Garcia

4. Beauty Star Gucci Westman with presenter Grace Coddington

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N I G H T O F S T A R S

As 2019 draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to pause and acknowledge our members, friends and colleagues for the collaborative spirit shared during this year. As we bridge into a new era at FGI, I as well as the Board of Directors, extend gratitude for all the support, loyalty and generosity as we move forward.

Thank you to all those who have supported theNight of Stars and all our other events. As weembark on a new Rising Star awards withPresentation Night on December 10, we hopeyou will join us to meet the accomplishednominees and celebrate the holidays!

We are also pleased to announce a newPlatinum Membership option for our members,including the opportunity for a shared work-space community at FGI starting in January2020! Details inside.

Thank you to our wonderful writers who havecontributed to this issue.

December is an exciting month, more excitingnews to come! Stay tuned.

A Message f rom Maryanne Gr isz Pres ident and CEO, FGI

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Night of Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5. Trailblazer Award Iman with presenter Laverne Cox

6. Nicolas Mirzayantz for Sustainability Award winner Interantional Flavors & Fragrances with presenter William McDonough

7. Presenter Martha Stewart with Interior Design Star Delphine Krakoff

8. Brand Heritage Award winner Jonathan Adler with presenter Nell Campbell

9. Presenter Christy Turlington with Humanitarian Award winner Donna Karan

Photography by Patrick McMullan

“The Composers”

SuperstarRick Owens

Fashion LegendRalph Rucci

Fashion Star Brandon Maxwell

Beauty Star Gucci Westman

Trailblazer Award Iman

Sustainability AwardInternational Flavors and Fragrances

Interior Design StarDelphine Krakoff

Brand Heritage Award Jonathan Adler

Humanitarian AwardDonna Karan

Fashion Group International’s 36th annual Night of Stars gala celebrated “The Composers”—those who illuminate our world with art, design, beauty and style—on October 24.

On a clear and starry night, the galaxy of fashion and beauty stars filled Cipriani Wall Street to toast and be toasted. In addition to Superstar winner Rick Owens,honorees included Ralph Rucci, Brandon Maxwell, Gucci Westman, Iman, Delphine Krakoff, Jonathan Adler and Donna Karan.

The gala, which was co-chaired by Nina Garcia and Marylou Luther, opened with welcoming remarks from FGI’s new president and CEO, Maryanne Grisz and chairman of the board James D’Adamo. They acknowledged three of our most sparkling stars and members of the FGI family no longer with us, FGI president andCEO Margaret Hayes, designer Isabel Toledo, designer Kate Spade, and FGI regional liaison Susan Glick, who died this year.

They also announced the revitalization of the FGI Foundation to assist, mentor, and break down barriers for talented individuals working to make their way in ourindustry, as well as the establishment of a scholarship in memory of Isabel Toledo and Margaret Hayes.

The evening was once again emceed by the inimitable Simon Doonan, and the event was generously sponsored by Hearst Magazines, IFF, Movado, Arcade Beauty,and American Airlines—which hosted the cocktail hour including a display of vintage flight attendant’s uniforms.

–– Katie KretschmerEditor/Contributing Writer

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White mentioned the impact of video, whereInstagram moments inspire creative direction.

Downing asked the panel to name their favoriteshows on the basis of creativity and pure design.White gave kudos to Pyer Moss for creative elements and Gucci for pure design. Zendejas alsocited Moss for the unexpected moments that created excitement and for the 500 tickets awarded to the public.

Downing asked what excited the panel at theshows. Davis felt that the Instagramable momentscreated viral excitement. This started a discussionabout global fashion and how many designersdon’t adhere to traditional fashion weeks. Not onlydo they show throughout the year, but oftenchoose cities off of the traditional circuit.

In discussing new designers on the runway, Fischelismentioned collaborations that combine new and seasoned talents. She used Dries Van Noten’s recentdebut with Christian Lacroix as an example.

Next on the agenda was “sustainability.” This isthe topic of the day as everyone is trying to be onboard, although the journey is often trying. Thetrends of the forthcoming season showed theirsupport with a color palette based on nature. Allagreed that sustainable fabrics have come a longway. Cesarine mentioned that today’s green fab-rics are available at a range of price points. Eventhe luxury market is paying attention. Downingsaid that many of today’s trims are recycled, giving items a crafty and artistic feeling. Davisadded that sustainability creates a new responsi-bility. This includes concerns for workers, theirfactories and the environment. White offered thatthis grass roots campaign is in response to con-sumer desire for a safe environment as well ascare for individual lives. Downing also issued awarning against waste caused by overproducingand excess.

The second buzz word of the day was “authenticity.”The question of who wears your brand was discussed. The panel talked about how companiespay people to wear their clothes. They questioned if this was money well spent, as it defeats the

Fashion Group International’s semiannual trendpresentation started with a curated film by our creative director, Marylou Luther. Rather thanitemizing the seasonal must haves, she collatedthe buzzy ideas that have been affecting ourindustry. Among the themes mentioned were positivity and the combination of trends that reflect the past and project the future. At itsconclusion, our new president and CEO, MaryanneGrisz, thanked Marylou and welcomed all, with aspecial shout out to students from The HighSchool of Fashion Industries who were the afternoon’s special guests. Panel introduction wasnext. They included:

Indira Cesarine: Multimedia artist, editor-in-chiefand publisher of The Untitled Magazine.

Sarah Zendejas: Senior fashion market editor, Elle Magazine, covering emerging and establisheddesign talent.

Andy Hilfiger: President of Andrew Charles, combining an interest in both the fashion and music industries.

Constance White: Author, commentator and fashionjournalist.

Peter Davis: Editor-in-chief, USA, L’Official

Nicole Fischlis: Fashion consultant and industry expert.

Ken Downing: Creative officer, Triple Five Groupand the moderator of the day’s program.

Downing started the discussion by talking aboutthe recent fashion weeks. He noticed that many inthe audiences viewed the runways with one eye onthe clothes and the other on their phones. Heasked the panel whether they noticed differencesthis season. Cesarine said that many of the showsappeared to be extravaganzas, directed to hugeaudiences in public arenas. Of importance, too,was the diversity on the catwalks, not only incolor, but in sizes, ages and even pregnant models. Downing and White agreed that diversityreflects today’s cultural revolution. Since interestin fashion is global, the runways must reflect theconsumer. Hilfiger explained that today’s showsare entertainment-based, showcasing currentmusic and a celebration of all people.

From left: Sarah Zendejas, Peter Davis, Indira Cesarine, Maryanne Grisz, Marylou Luther, Ken Downing, Constance White, Nicole Fischelis and Andy Hilfiger.

purpose of giving an honest impression of thebrand’s value. White mentioned how millennialsare now favoring “authentic” brands.

The discussion turned to trends. Denim is a classic despite its fabric properties. Athleisure,too, was deemed a stalwart—although Downingfeels the pendulum is swinging toward a moredressed-up approach. Zendejas said she is seeingan upturn in the wearing of hats, with many smalldesigners entering the market. Cesarine still seesa cultural reflection with people choosing to dressdown alongside those preferring uber style.Hilfiger stressed cycle dressing but mentionedmuch of today’s offerings look the same. Fischelisreminded us that denim has been elevated todesigner runways and is often worn with dressed-up accessories and shoes. Davis added thatstreetwear brand Supreme, although dresseddown, is very much in demand because of its limited offering.

White brought up the topic of magazines targetingniche markets. Although no one can dispute digital appeal, there is still an audience for handheld materials. Downing added that billboards are regaining appeal. This sparked theidea of capturing consumer appeal. Offering thecustomer something she wants before she needs it was frequently mentioned. Giving her theunexpected was endorsed. Fischelis added thatsomething unique becomes a collectible. Davissaid that this idea helps him to up his game whenpreparing an issue, hoping that the issue willbecome a collectible. This idea also eliminateswaste and encourages recycling. White endorsedpersonalization and predicted 3D printing willallow people to design their own items of clothing.Zendejas added that this quest for personalizationwill be good for small brands.

Downing hoped that this discussion would helpdefine the topics that everyone will be talkingabout for the coming season. He thanked the audi-ence and hoped that the visiting students wereencouraged to support our industry as it reachesfor its next fashion vision.

–– Carolyn Moss Contributing Writer

RTW: Our 20/20 Fashion Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .

Rising Stars New & Improved . . . . Scholarship Funds

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Rising Stars Voting Gets an Update

There’s a new process to vote for Rising Starsthat makes the process more personal—andeasier for the nominees.

This year, the first round of voting will happenin a single night. Nominees will bring theirdesigns to a meet-and-greet evening with FGIboard and committee members, who will votethat night.

Once finalists are selected, examples of theirwork will be photographed and posted onlinefor voting by the entire membership.

“This means nominees don’t have to relinquishexamples of their best work for several weeks sothat they can be available for voting,” explainsFGI president Maryanne Grisz. “Most of thenominees and finalists don’t have multiples oftheir samples, and they have to choose betweenleaving the best examples of their work at FGI,or having them to show retailers.”

Finalists work has been available for online voting for the past few years, but it was also setup as a presentation in the conference room atFGI for members to come see and feel over several weeks. “Now, there’s still the opportunityto see items in person, but it’s just for a fewhours. And there’s the opportunity for nomineesto talk about their work and answer questions,”Grisz says.

Rising Stars has become a launching pad foryoung designers—past winners have includedTory Burch, Catherine Smith, Donrad Duncan,Loris Diran, Brandon Maxwell and more. “It’simportant that the process not make it hard foryoung talent to take part,” says Grisz.

Finalists will be announced in mid-December.Online voting will go live on January 8, and isopen to all FGI members.

Winners will be announced at a gala luncheonat Cipriani 42 Street on January 28.

–– Katie Kretschmer

The Fashion Group Foundation, with

Alexandra Adame, announces the creation

of a scholarship fund in tribute to our former

president, Margaret Hayes.

Help commemorate her memory and text

FGINOW to 443-21

to make your donation.

The Fashion Group Foundation, in collaboration

with Ruben Toledo, announces the creation of a

scholarship fund in tribute our dear friend,

fashion designer, visionary artist and longtime

member, Isabel Toledo.

Help commemorate her memory and text

FGINOW to 443-21

to make your donation.

Thank you to Wendy D’Amico, for her 16 years ofservice to Fashion Group and tireless work withMargaret Hayes as her Executive Assistant andChief Copywriter, overseeing the PublicationsCommittee, writer of “Profiles in Success,”“Designers of the Decades” and other numerous,expert contributions on fashion history and our FGIlegacy. Wendy remains a member of FashionGroup and of the Publications Committee, but aspart of our office team, she will be missed. As sheembarks on a wonderful and exciting new journey,we wish her well.

New Platimum Membership

Wendy D'Amico Thank you

FGI is pleased to announce our new level of membership: Platium Membership.

Members have access to the headquarters of FGI and a shared community space, 20 hours a week, Monday - Friday. FGI headquarters is anexcellent strategic destination for our membership

community to interact & extend yourbusiness network.

NEW PLATIUM MEMBERSHIP / $600 / MOCommitment minimum of 2 months.

Begins January 4, 2019Sign up here

FGI HEADQUARTERS

8 West 40th Street, 7th Floor, NYC

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The Publication CommitteeHappy Ho l idays

Fashion Group

Wishes a

Peaceful and Joyous

Holiday Season

To All Our Members

and Friends

and

May The New Year

Bring Health, Happiness

and Prosperity

To All

Chair• • •

Katie Kretschmer

Editor / Contributing Writer

Writers / Editors• • •

Wendy D'Amico

Contributing Writer

Nancy Jeffries

Contributing Writer

Carolyn Moss

Contributing Writee

Melissa Pastore

Contributing Writer

Graphic Design• • •

Debora DeCarlo

DDC Graphics

.

Calendar of Events

JANUARY 28, 2020

RISING STAR LUNCHEON

For more information

And to purchase tickets and/or tables

Visit www.fgi.org or call 212.302.5511