The City That Never Sleeps bore witness to an enchanting spectacle as the luminaries of fashion, beauty, arts, culture, and entertainment descended upon The Plaza on the night of Tuesday, October 17th for the illustrious 39th annual FGI Night of Stars red carpet gala and awards ceremony. Stepping up its game this year, the Fashion Group International (FGI) made a bold move by choosing The Plaza as the opulent venue for this renowned event, a setting deserving of one of the fashion world’s most iconic organizations and legendary soirées.
By: Allain Fonte
The red carpet sparkled with the presence of fashion icons and A-list celebrities, who paraded their style before immersing themselves in an evening of unparalleled elegance. A delightful cocktail hour marked the opening act, followed by a sumptuous seated dinner and the eagerly awaited awards presentation.
Kicking off the festivities were opening remarks from the esteemed triumvirate, including FGI’s President and CEO,Maryanne Grisz, FGI’s Chairman of the Board, James D’Adamo, and the Fashion Group Foundation’s President, Matthew Trent. Their words set the stage for an evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Whoopi Goldberg speaks onstage during Fashion Group International’s 39th Annual Night of Stars at The Plaza on October 17, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the awards ceremony, with a star-studded list of honorees and presenters:
The SUPERSTAR Award, an accolade of unmatched prestige, was conferred upon Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge at The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The award was presented with a touch of Instagram flair by the one and only Eva Chen, an Author and the Director of Fashion Partnerships.
The dynamic duo behind Proenza Schouler, Jack McCollough, and Lazaro Hernandez, received the FASHION STAR Award. It was a moment of high fashion glory with the presentation done by Cathy Horyn, the illustrious Fashion Critic-at-Large at The Cut.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Elizabeth Sutton and Katya Tolstova attend Fashion Group International’s 39th Annual Night of Stars at The Plaza on October 17, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
A touch of philanthropy and melody came together as Global Music Star Marc Anthony, also the Co-Founder of the Maestro Cares Foundation, was honored with the HUMANITARIAN Award. The award was bestowed by the iconic fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez.
Celebrating the spirit of innovation in beauty, Gail Boyé, the Executive Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization at Shiseido Americas, was graced with the BEAUTY INNOVATION Award. The honor was presented by none other than Ron Gee, the President and CEO of Shiseido Americas.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Dennis Basso and Martha Stewart attend Fashion Group International’s 39th Annual Night of Stars at The Plaza on October 17, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Antoine Phillips, a notable influencer in the realms of fashion and culture, took home the AGENT OF CHANGE Award. The model and activist, Bethann Hardison, had the privilege of presenting this prestigious accolade.
The fashion world paused to pay homage to a legend as designer Dennis Basso received the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award. Business magnate, writer, and television personality Martha Stewart presented this coveted distinction.
And finally, the iconic Whoopi Goldberg, famed for her role as the moderator of “The View” and her EGOT status, was honored with the AMERICAN ICON Award. The award was fittingly presented by Gary Wassner, the CEO of Hilldun Corporation.
The guest list read like a who’s who of the fashion and entertainment industries. Among the glittering names in attendance were Candace Bushnell, Fern Mallis, Pamela Dennis, Frederick Anderson, Ken Downing, Kelly Cutrone, Phillipe and David Blond, Jean Shafiroff, Elie Tahari, Ana Navarro, Derek Warburton, Carlos Campos, Loris Diran, Elizabeth Sutton, José Castelo Branco, Olga Ferrara, Melissa Vale, Caroline Vazzana, Katya Tolstova, Leckie Roberts, and more.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Maryanne Grisz speaks onstage during Fashion Group International’s 39th Annual Night of Stars at The Plaza on October 17, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Maryanne Grisz, the President and CEO of FGI, shared her gratitude…
“FGI Night of Stars is a celebration of extraordinary individuals in entertainment, fashion, beauty, and culture. We are grateful to all who, by attending our most important fundraiser of the year, support Fashion Group International’s mission to connect, provide resources, mentor emerging talent, and celebrate the fashion industry at every level.”
The FGI Night of Stars ticketed gala holds a distinguished position as the nonprofit organization’s most crucial annual fundraiser. This glamorous affair serves as the lifeblood for FGI, enabling the organization to continue its vital work in mentoring, education, and professional development. It further facilitates the allocation of business grants, scholarships, and essential industry resources, all of which contribute to the nurturing of FGI’s global network of emerging and established professionals in the fields of fashion, beauty, retail, and related industries. The 39th FGI Night of Stars was not just a celebration but a testament to the enduring power and influence of the fashion world.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Candace Bushnell and Derek Warburton attend Fashion Group International’s 39th Annual Night of Stars at The Plaza on October 17, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
ABOUT FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL
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. 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.
