Stardom is probably more of a pursuit now than ever before, thanks to TikTok fame and other platforms. But the Fashion Group International will be 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.
Gary Wassner of the Hilldun 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.
Another honoree will be designer Terry Singh, who will be presented with the President’s Award for Excellence.
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.
For beauty entrepreneur, the finalists are Curl Daddy’s Edwin Borquez Pierrot, Mask Skin Care’s Sarah Mirsini, D.L. Henry Enterprises’ Darci Henry, Avoila’s Grace O’Sullivan and Pinch of Colour’s Linda Treska.
In the clearest sign in the shift in influence in the fashion industry, the content creator category is for original content marketing in short-form video, visuals through digital platforms in fashion and/or beauty. Vying for this inaugural honor are Addy Media’s Charlii Sebunya, The Style That Binds Us’ Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk and Vetted’s Jamie Lewin.
For the newly created retail tech sector, which includes all unique retail distribution and solution-based technologies, Nexite’s Anat Shakedd, Pathr.ai’s George Shaw, ViralMoment’s Chelsie Hall & Sheyda Demooei, The Wires’ Kimberly Carney and Beautyque NYC’s Sonia Khemiri are the nominees.
The Fine Jewelry Rising Star will be a contest between Ivar by Ritika Ravi’s Ritika Ravi, Jaune Pearls’ Melizza Jaune Tanpocco and Maika Rivera Tanpocco and Jared Jewelers’ Jared Atelier and Shy Dayan.
