New York, October 17, 2023 – On one enchanting night in New York City, the world of fashion, beauty, arts, culture, and entertainment collided in a resplendent spectacle at The Plaza on Tuesday, October 17th. The 39th annual FGI Night of Stars gala and awards ceremony, a glittering celebration that defied convention and redefined opulence. The Fashion Group International (FGI) pulled out all the stops this year by selecting The Plaza as the backdrop for this illustrious event, a choice befitting one of the fashion world’s most iconic institutions.
The red carpet bore witness to an assembly of style icons and A-list celebrities, who paraded their sartorial splendor before descending into an evening of unparalleled elegance. A bewitching cocktail hour marked the inception of the soirée, followed by a sumptuous seated dinner that set the stage for the main attraction – the awards presentation.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Nadia Ferreira, Marc Anthony, Maryanne Grisz and Darlyn Portes 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)
The evening’s grandeur commenced with opening remarks delivered by a trio of luminaries: Maryanne Grisz, the President and CEO of FGI, James D’Adamo, Chairman of FGI’s Board, and Matthew Trent, President of the Fashion Group Foundation. Their eloquent words set the tone for an evening of recognition, inspiration, and pure celebration.
The pinnacle of the evening, without a shadow of doubt, was the awards ceremony, featuring a constellation of honorees and presenters:
The SUPERSTAR Award: This accolade of supreme eminence was bestowed upon Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge at The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The award was presented with Instagram panache by the celebrated Eva Chen, an Author and the Director of Fashion Partnerships.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Andrew Bolton attends 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)
FASHION STAR Award: The dynamic duo behind the Proenza Schouler fashion empire, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, received this prestigious distinction. It was a moment of haute couture grandeur, with the award presented by Cathy Horyn, the illustrious Fashion Critic-at-Large at The Cut.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Jack McCullough, Cathy Horyn and Lazaro Hernandez 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)
HUMANITARIAN Award: A harmonious blend of philanthropy and melody came to life as Global Music Star Marc Anthony, also the Co-Founder of the Maestro Cares Foundation, was honored. The accolade was presented by the iconic fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez attends 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)
BEAUTY INNOVATION Award: Gail Boyé, the Executive Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization at Shiseido Americas, was graced with this award celebrating innovation in the beauty industry. It was fittingly presented by Ron Gee, the President and CEO of Shiseido Americas.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Ron Gee 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)
AGENT OF CHANGE Award: Antoine Phillips, a noted influencer in the realms of fashion and culture, claimed this prestigious honor. The model and activist Bethann Hardison had the privilege of presenting the accolade.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Bethann Hardison with American icon Awardee Whoopi Goldberg at the Fashion Group International’s 39th Annual Night of Stars at The Plaza on October 17, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McMullan)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award: The fashion world paused to pay homage to a legend, as designer Dennis Basso was honored for his lifetime of achievement. Business magnate, writer, and television personality Martha Stewart presented this coveted distinction.
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)
AMERICAN ICON Award: The iconic Whoopi Goldberg, celebrated for her role as the moderator of “The View” and her EGOT status, received this momentous award. It was fittingly presented by Gary Wassner, the CEO of Hilldun Corporation.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Gary Wassner, Whoopi Goldberg and Maryanne Grisz 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)
The guest list read like a who’s who of the fashion and entertainment industries, with luminaries such as 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 many more gracing the event with their presence.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Eve Chen attends 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, expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating,
“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.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Candace Bushnell and Derek Warburton attends 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 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.
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.
