The 2023 FGI Rising Star Awards Honored Fashion's Next Generation
Speakers, including Patricia Field and LaQuan Smith, offered words of wisdom before handing star-shaped trophies to this year’s top emerging talent.
On Monday, Fashion Group International (FGI) hosted its 27th annual Rising Star Awards inside The Lighthouse at New York City’s Chelsea Piers. There, the non-profit organization, one dedicated to connecting and supporting fashion’s visionaries on all levels, celebrated a slew of up-and-coming talent across the industry.
Fashion legend Patricia Field took to the stage as the event’s keynote speaker, offering a room full of emerging talent and burgeoning entrepreneurs her words of wisdom on finding success. “All successes require time,” she said. “Look inward, not outward. Look into yourself and get acquainted because you’re going to take yourself through life.”
Field’s wisdom, one cultivated through decades of path-forging made-to-order craftsmanship and costume design for industry tentpole films like The Devil Wears Prada and Sex and The City, permeated the room, and a trophy-filled program promptly ensued.
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Among those honored, award-winning journalist Constance White, who previously served as editor-in-chief of Essence, revealed the winner of this year’s Active/Casualwear Rising Star. In a category featuring Marsuy Tamboura and Burkindy of Jahnkoy, Nicholas Raefski and Joseph DeAcetis, Teddy von Ranson, a New York designer who spent 15 years at Ralph Lauren before establishing his eponymous brand, won the glass star.
“We are small but mighty,” von Ranson said of his team. “I want to thank my husband and co-founder Joel von Ranson. We were on vacation, and while having dinner, I said, ‘It would be fun if we were entrepreneurs.’ After the look of horror left his eyes, and I convinced him, it became such a huge journey.”
“This is f* cking great,” he added. “But what’s even cooler is being surrounded by this community of people I’ve looked up to and respected and all the emerging designers that are in this space with me.”
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Next, powerhouse New York designer LaQuan Smith emerged to present the award for ready-to-wear. Before asking nominees to stand, he offered some words of encouragement to the room: “Dream big, stay the course, and never give up. I know that sounds very simple, but if I’m being honest, I am a true testament to what that is like.”
Among a competitive roster of finalists that included Autumn Adeigbo, Stephen Mikhail of Atelier Cillian, Kelsey and Cassidy Tucker of Deviate and Alex and Michael Toccin of Toccin, Marisa Wilson’s namesake label took home the coveted prize.
“I really wanted to create a brand that celebrates a woman’s personality with a true love and art for creating textiles from my heart,” Wilson said. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a very little girl.”
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For eveningwear, Stefano Tonchi, the man behind luxury media brand Palmer, climbed to the podium to present five nominees: Andrew Kwon, Bach Mai, Kate Barton, Terry Singh and Manuel Tiscareño. Mai, a Vietnamese designer crafting made-to-order designs with couture inspirations, ultimately claimed the crown.
“I remember when I was younger and I was just starting out in the industry, I would follow these awards and I would look up to those who were recognized,” said Mai. “It’s really incredible that there’s an event like this dedicated to emerging designers.”
Additional awards celebrated successful up-and-comers in accessories, beauty and collaboration. Paul Morelli presented Burkindy with the fine jewelry award; photographer Nigel Barker named Wolverine 1000 Mile x Old Rip Van Winkle the best collaboration, and Edmundo Castillo, design director at Stuart Weitzman, honored Chris Donovan Footwear with the accessories trophy.
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Overall, the FGI Rising Star Awards reminded a room filled with industry leaders and newcomers alike of the importance of supporting the next generation of talent. LaQuan Smith said it best: “Having support and recognition, especially in the early stages of a designer’s career, is crucial to success. That’s why it’s so important to have events like this.”
See the full list of winners below.
Eveningwear
Bach Mai, Bach Mai
Ready-To-Wear
Marissa Wilson, Marisa Wilson New York
Active/Casualwear
Teddy von Ranson, Teddy von Ranson
Beauty Entrepreneur
Michael and Diana Wilson, Saints & Sinners Haircare
Accessories — Hard and Soft Goods Categories
Chris Donovan, Chris Donovan Footwear
Fine Jewelry
Burkindy, Burkindy
Collaborations
Wolverine 1000 Mile x Old Ripe Van Winkle
The Hilldun Business Innovation Award
Marcelo Guimarães and Jordana Guimarães, Fashinnovation
FGI Rising Star Entrepreneur of the Year
Kimberly Carney, The Wires
Sustainability
Autumn Adeigbo
In more fashion news, Stranger Things actor Caleb McLaughlin was named the newest Dior Beauty ambassador.
