Fashion Group International reveals 2024 rising star nominees and new categories
Another new attraction is FGI’s partnership with Macy’s, which is now a presenting sponsor of the Rising Star for fashion merchandising award
The Fashion Group International will celebrating “Rising Stars” at its annual luncheon on May 13 at the venue that is known simply as 583 Park Avenue. This year’s 28th annual event will draw the spotlight on a few new categories — Retail Tech and Creative Content.
Another new attraction is FGI’s partnership with Macy’s, which is now a presenting sponsor of the Rising Star for fashion merchandising award.
That will be given to a junior or senior student who is enrolled in one of the five designated schools in FGI regions.
Looking further out, FGI plans to roll out mentorships, internships and business education to help advance younger generations, according to the group’s president and chief executive officer Maryanne Grisz.
Garry Wassner of the Hildun Corp. will give out the Hilldun Business Innovation Award to Ann Wehren, CEO of In Seam, a private platform that helps luxury fashion connectors as in stylists, personal shoppers and creatives better serve their clients. Hilldun and Macy’s are the sponsors this year.
In terms of this year’s Rising Star finalists, Fashion Apparel will feature different categories. For lifestyle, intimate and swim, Neveah’s Melissa Franchi, Print Fresh’s Amy and Leo Voloshin, and Loka Haus’ Lisa Husberg are nominees.
For casualwear, Jacob & John’s John Paul Thomas will compete against Fried Rice’s Maya Wang and Shewtambari’s Shwetambri Mody.
For ready-to-wear, the contenders are Patrick Cupid, Tara Babylon, Ron Dyce, Thesalting’s Michael Ward and Manel Garcia Espejo, Veronica De Piante, Bishme Cromartie, Melke’s Emma Gage, Santicler’s Monica Magdas Miller, Bulan’s Beam Ratchapol Ngaongam and Fragment’s Kai Milla.
For Fashion Apparel eveningwear, Evan Hirsch, Kate Barton, Rossario George, Verdavainne’s Cyril Verdavainne, Sergio Davila’s Sergio Martin Davila Vega, and Haas Bridal’s Talya Bendel and Esty Haas are in the running.
Another competitive field is accessories, where nominees are Guillaume Larquemain, Binata Millinery’s Rowell Concepcion, The Third Jewelry’s Robert Bacon, Vivian Blooms’ Jennifer Kofler, Paper Shaper by Julie’s Julie Pierre and Lazaro Leather’s Roman Nielavitzky.
