- FGI Rising Star Awards Celebrates Emerging Talent at 29th Annual Red Carpet Fashion Awards Ceremony, Hosted by Tiffany Haddish
- Reem Acra, Jonathan Cohen, Fern Mallis, and More Fashion Luminaries Honor New Designers, Fashion Founders, Brands, and Industry Legend, Robert Chavez
Fashion Group International rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday, April 16, at 583 Park Avenue in New York City, for the 29th annual FGI Rising Star Awards.
The red-carpet luncheon and awards ceremony recognized emerging talent across fashion, beauty, accessories, and fine jewelry sectors – with special awards for sustainability, lifetime achievement, and fashion students – each creative forces shaping the industry’s future.
Hosted by Emmy, Grammy, and NAACP Image Award-winning actress, performer, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Tiffany Haddish, the event sparkled with humor, star power, and camaraderie. Haddish brought her signature wit to the stage in her first appearance at the FGI Rising Star Awards. According to Haddish, “Today, FGI spans 26 regions globally and continues to connect executive-level leaders from fashion, beauty, tech, wellness, you name it…It’s a powerhouse network…Today we celebrate 29 years of the Rising Star Awards honoring emerging talent who are shaping the future of fashion, beauty, and beyond.”
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the inaugural FGI Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert Chavez, former President and CEO of Hermès Americas (Ret.), who was recently appointed to the board of Macy’s as an Independent Director. Accepting the award, Chavez remarked: “For me, it’s always about people. As I look out, there are so many achievers, dreamers that I see, that have touched my life, and it’s been an amazing journey, a really amazing journey.”
Now in its second year, the Macy’s Future Fashion Award in Fashion Merchandising was presented to Camille Jiang, a standout student from LIM College, who received a $1,000 scholarship to support her continued studies in fashion.
Over nearly three decades, the FGI Rising Star Awards have served as a launchpad for industry leaders such as Tory Burch, Jason Wu, Brandon Maxwell, Phillip Lim, and Rent the Runway Founders Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss. Each year promises the chance for attendees to engage with the next generation of fashion leaders early in their careers, honoring designers, brands, and founders who have been in business from two to six years.
This year’s ceremony drew a stylish crowd of designers, executives, and tastemakers, among them Elie Tahari, Dennis Basso, Fern Mallis, Gary Wassner and Cole Wassner, Cyril Verdavainne, Frederick Anderson, Jonathan Cohen, Ken Downing, James Aguiar, Joanna Coles, Micaela Erlanger, NJ Falk, and many others. During the course of the ceremony, FGI Global CEO and President Maryanne Grisz and Chairperson Alyce Panico delivered remarks celebrating the honorees.
“As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” said Maryanne Grisz, saying: “Our FGI Rising Stars embody that spirit. They are the future of our industry, and we’re honored to celebrate the Class of 2025 as they take the next steps in their creative journeys. Today’s event not only recognizes their achievements but also connects them with a powerful network of peers, mentors, and industry leaders.”
FGI Rising Star 2025 Award Winners
Beauty Award – Presented by Caroline Fabrigas (Scent Marketing Inc.) to Pritika Swarup (Prakti)
Fine Jewelry Award – Presented by Joanna Coles (The Daily Beast) to Paola Sasplugas (PDPAOLA)
Accessories Award – Presented by Fern Mallis to Co-Winners Nanette Adair (Rex Shoes) and Sangmin Park (4CCCCEES)
Fashion Apparel: Bridal Award – Presented by Reem Acra to Jaclyn Whyte (Jaclyn WHYTE).
Fashion Apparel: Eveningwear Award – Presented by Ken Downing (Xcel Brands, Halston CD) to Natalia Fedner (Natalia Fedner).
Fashion Apparel: Ready-to-Wear Award – Presented by Jonathan Cohen (Jonathan Cohen Studio) to Bonnie Young (BY.BONNIE YOUNG)
Sustainability – Presented by James Aguiar (Isaac Mizrahi) to Omar and Zane Sabré (Maison de Sabré)
Hilldun Business Innovation Award – Presented by Gary Wassner (Hilldun Corporation) to Carly Bigi (Laws of Motion)
FGI Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented by Peter Malachi (Hermès USA) to Robert Chavez
Macy’s Future Fashion Award – Presented by Samuel Fregia (Macy’s) to Camille Jiang (LIM College)
The FGI Rising Star Awards is one of FGI’s signature fundraising events. The event’s visibility and impact reflect the global fashion organization’s commitment to nurture and support fashion professionals at every stage of their careers with vital resources, educational opportunities, and a global forum for connection.
2025 Rising Star Awards Jury Panel
Applications opened in September of 2024 to eligible businesses in operation from two to six years. Honorees were selected via FGI member vote and by an expert jury of fashion leaders, including: Nicole Fischelis, Constance White, Ken Downing, Gary Wassner, Fern Mallis, Sharon Graubard, Ty Hunter, Caroline Fabrigas, Karen Young, Laura Gellar, Claudia Poccia, Bryna Pomp, Roberta Naas, Karen Giberson, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Carlos Campos, Reem Acra, Christina Plumlee, Cheryl Onodera, Jodi Kahn, Grace Chang, Vivian Rivetti, and Francois Damide.
A Pre-Awards Celebration at APL Soho – April 15, 2025
The evening before the 2025 FGI Rising Star Awards, FGI hosted an exclusive fireside chat to honor this year’s honorees and encourage meaningful conversations and connections. Held at the APL flagship store in New York City’s SoHo district on Tuesday, April 15, the event was hosted by APL Managing Partner NJ Falk and moderated by FGI Chairperson Alyce Panico. Panelists NJ Falk, Robert Chavez, and Gary Wassner explored the importance of mentorship and giving back in the fashion industry. Special guest and Rising Star Awards host Tiffany Haddish and FGI Global CEO and President Maryanne Grisz also joined the engaging conversation.
Alyce Panico, CEO of Luxe Collective Group, welcomed the pre-party guests with inspiring remarks: “Leadership and mentorship are at the heart of the FGI journey and the roots that inspire the FGI Rising Star Program. They’re not just buzzwords, they’re building blocks of creative growth, personal development, and long-term success.”
2025
Event Sponsors: Hilldun Corporation and Macy’s
FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL
https://www.fgi.org | @fginyc
Founded in 1930 by a group of seventeen women leaders, with 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 is headquartered 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.
Event Photography by Addy Media
Courtesy of Fashion Group International
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