Fashion Group International (FGI) celebrated the non-profit organization’s 40th annual Night of Stars gala tonight at The Plaza in Manhattan, gathering luminaries and leaders of the fashion world and related sectors, including stars, designers, executives, tastemakers, and leading cultural figures. The venerable fashion organization rolled out the red carpet for its signature gala and star-studded affair, honoring those changemakers and creatives whose work has forever changed the cultural landscape.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Maria Giulia Prezioso Maramotti and Kate Hudson attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The chic gathering commenced with fanfare, with Kate Hudson, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Coco Rocha, Reed Krakoff and Delphine Krakoff, Elie Tahari, Zac Posen, Fern Mallis, Jean Shafiroff, Dennis Basso, Dixie D’Amelio, Heidi D’Amelio, Marc D’Amelio, and others walking the red carpet.
An exclusive pre-event cocktail reception followed, hosted by designer and recent FGI Rising Star Eveningwear award winner Cyril Verdavainne – who was surrounded by a bevy of models. Other notables spotted included Lynda Lopez, Amina Vassa, Ginna Le Vine, and CNBC’s Rebecca Quick.
Guests then enjoyed the dinner and awards ceremony presentation recognizing the diverse and distinguished field of honorees, with remarks throughout from FGI President & CEO Maryanne Grisz, Alyce Panico, Patrick Valeo, Elie Tahari, and a special toast to 40 years of Night of Stars by Dennis Basso.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Dixie D’Amelio attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) LaQuan Smith, Cole Wassner and Terry Singh attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Terry Singh, Kelli Youngman and Charles Garone attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Coco Rocha and Zac Posen attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Stephanie Ruhle and Fern Mallis attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Rebecca Seawright and Jean Shafiroff attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Dennis Basso and Linda Fargo attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Tijana Ibrahimovic, Katya Tolstova and Olga Ferrara attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Zac Posen, Kate Hudson, Harrison Ball and Maryanne Grisz attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Dennis Basso attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Reed Krakoff attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Davis Burleson attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Trey Laird attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: LaQuan Smith attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Douglas Hand attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Linda Fargo attends attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Andy Chia Yu attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Jennifer Kofler attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Guest, Delphine Krakoff, Reed Krakoff and Sophie Krakoff attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Katya Tolstova and Ken Downing attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Jean Shafiroff attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Stan Herman attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Charlii Sebunya and Nicky Hilton Rothschild attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Mariela Vallines attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Todd Snyder and Shira Suveyke Snyder attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Fern Mallis, guest and Jeffrey Banks attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Guests, Fern Mallis and Chiun-Kai Shih attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Todd Snyder and Chiun-Kai Shih attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Gary Wassner and Ken Downing attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Maryanne Grisz and Behnaz Ghahramani attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Guest, Julia Mandirola, Cyril Verdavainne, Cindy Stella Nguyen and guest attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Guest, Marylou Luther, Maryanne Grisz and guest attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Jennifer Su attends the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The 2024 FGI Night of Stars honored luminaries and leaders in an array of categories:
• Fashion Visionary – Honoring Reed Krakoff, Presented by Trey Laird
• Design Heritage – Honoring MAX MARA, accepted by Maria Giulia Prezioso Maramotti, Presented by Kate Hudson
• FGI Founders’ Award – Honoring Fern Mallis, Presented by Stephanie Ruhle, MSNBC
• Humanitarian Award – Honoring Harry Kargman, Kargo, presented and accepted by Jeannine Shao Collins
• Fashion Vanguard Award – Honoring LaQuan Smith, presented by Jacqueline Cooper
• Media Award – Honoring Marc, Heidi, Dixie, and Charli D’Amelio, presented by Davis Burleson
• Beauty Award – Honoring Catherine Bomboy Dougherty, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., presented by Alexandra Devlin, William Morris Endeavor
Other notable guests in attendance included Frederick Anderson, Todd Snyder, Nolan Meader, Gary Wassner, Ken Downing, Linda Fargo, Carlos Campos, Bibhu Mohapatra, Jeffrey Banks, Terry Singh, Michael Ward, Manel Garcia Espejo, Nina Garcia, Epperson, Zofia Krasicki Von Siecin, Rebecca Vanyo, Olga Ferrara, Katya Tolstova, Joshua Kamei, Melissa Vale, Eileen Rhein, and more.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Jeannine Shao Collins and Maryanne Grisz attend the Fashion Group International’s 40th Anniversary Night of Stars at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Maryanne Grisz, FGI President and CEO: “On this 40th anniversary of FGI Night of Stars, I am so honored to be a part of this landmark year, recognizing icons who are incredible visionaries, and have made a positive impact in the industry. The event is our largest fundraiser, and we are grateful for the amazing community of support.”
The evening’s attendees walked away with a lovely gift bag, complete with fragrances and accessories worth well over $1,000 MSRP. Other products included goodies from Max Mara, Clinique, Shiseido, Banana Republic Soho, Saints & Sinners, Nars, and Studio 1886. Of particular interest to the men in attendance was the Tonino Lamborghini Tecno Passione Eau de Toilette, 3.4 oz | One Size | Perfumes Cologne, retailing for $80.00.
About FGI Night of Stars
FGI Night of Stars is Fashion Group International’s star-studded annual gala and the non-profit organization’s most impactful annual fundraiser, established to recognize the achievements of outstanding individuals in fashion, beauty, entertainment, sustainability, arts, culture, and humanitarian sectors. The dazzling red carpet celebration – well attended by high-profile guests, honorees, celebrities, tastemakers, thought leaders, and leading executives – consistently commands the world’s attention.
Past FGI Night of Stars keynote awards have been presented to Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Rick Owens, Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Riccardo Tisci, Giorgio Armani, and Valentino, and honorees and presenters, Anna Sui, Katie Holmes, Iman, Laverne Cox, Olivier Rousteing, Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and more.
Maryanne Grisz, FGI President and CEO: “More than ever, we at FGI remain committed to maximizing the impact from all funds raised in our mission of education and empowerment, supporting fashion professionals around the globe at every stage of their careers.”
FGI Night of Stars event proceeds support the organization’s mission to provide essential career resources, educational initiatives, business grants, scholarships, and mentorship programs. Through a global network of grassroots chapters, FGI services a cross-section of industries and professionals of all levels, from students and emerging startups and designers to mid-career professionals, and established executives.