James D’Adamo, Chairman of the Board, Dionne Warwick, Maryanne Grisz, President and CEO
Iman
Mariska Hargitay, the legendary Dionne Warwick, Iman, Jason Wu and Christian Siriano, came out for Night of Stars this year, paying tribute to artists and creators.
Fashion has three big nights each year when celebrities and fashion luminaries mingle to celebrate style and raise money for good causes. Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars, held at the swank Casa Cipriani in downtown Manhattan, is one of them. The other two are the MET gala and the CFDA Fashion Awards.
Coco Rocha and Christian Siriano
This year’s honorees included Siriano. “I feel so proud,” said Siriano. “To be with Michael Kors and Prabal Gurung and to have everyone come together. I feel happy and proud.”
Kors, a Long Island native, has built an empire from his luxurious, understated American Sportswear and popular appearances on Project Runway. But, he’s also been an indefatigable champion for fighting hunger behind the scenes.
He spoke to the audience of celebs and fashion insiders via video because he came down with COVID the day before.
Mariska Hargitay
While he was missed, his absence did not take away from the joie de vivre of the evening. The night’s other honorees were in the house including Siriano who was accompanied by Hargitay dressed in his design of a cobalt blue pants suit with a season must-have – the bra-let – also in blue, worn beneath the jacket.
Warwick who has been a superstar since the Sixties and has more number one hits and Top Ten hits than almost any other singer, said she couldn’t believe she was now the queen of Twitter or ‘Auntie’ as she put it.
She said she was “just grateful for all the success” she has had.
Two generations of Hilfigers were present. Andy Hilfiger, who presented an award to the Elvis Presley estate for the late rocker’s impact on style, and his model/actor son, Andrew.
Iman, who presented the award to Kors in absentia, looked stunning in an all-silver sequin wrap dress. She has known Kors since she started modeling over 50 years ago.
Huma Abedin and Prabal Gurung
Huda Beauty’s Huda Kattan presented the award to designer Prabal Gurung for his laudable philanthropy for people in need in Nepal. Gurung said he was inspired to use the platform he has as a designer to publicize and support communities in Nepal who are suffering.
Several past FGI honorees joined the festivities including designers Jason Wu, Frederick Anderson, Byron Lars, Loris Diran and Carlos Campos.
Among the night’s other awardees were Rebecca Hessel Cohen who dressed “Sex and The City” creator Candace Bushnell in her sweet pinky shades of her Love Shack Fancy line and Sharon Chuter of disruptive Uoma Beauty.
Unlike fashion’s other pricey galas, FGI is known for its bountiful swag bag, handed to guests as they exit the building looking for their cars. This year’s haul included a pair of Michael Kors sunglasses and case, an Estée Lauder fragrance, the latest copy of Elle (Hearst is one of the gala sponsors), a Nest fragrant candle, an Uoma eye color collection, a purse containing a full set of Luxie Beauty make up brushes, Kiehls products, all packed into a black pleather London Fog tote bag.
It’s a clever marketing tool not often seen at this level anymore, putting these products and brands in front of influentials and tastemakers.
