FGI Dallas Rising Star Awards 2017

On Tuesday, March 7, Galleria Dallas hosted hundreds of Dallas’ most fashionable for the Fashion Group International (FGI) of Dallas Rising Star Awards. FGI is a global, nonprofit, professional organization with 6,000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home. Taking the annual awards presentation in a new direction with producer Jan Strimple, the event space was transformed into an artistic installation with graffiti walls and neon accents. The sold-out event attracted many of Dallas’ hottest names including Maxine Trowbridge, LeeAnne Locken, Jane McGarry, Jane Aldridge, Steve Kemble, D’Andra Simmons, Jeremy Lock, Susan Posnick, Amy Vanderoef, Allison Mitchell and James Taylor. Click here to see a gallery of images.

Congratulations to the winners of Fashion Group International: Dallas
Rising Stars Awards 2017

ESTEEM Preaches Self-Love Through Fashion

photos c/o Bob Manzano and Thomas Garza


Event co-chairs Melissa Rountree and her daughter Morgan, with honorary chair Lynn McBee, recently hosted more than 250 attendees for the 7th annual ESTEEM Fashion Show benefiting The Elisa Project (TEP) at Tootsies. The mission of ESTEEM is to help increase awareness about eating disorders and the importance of positive body image, ESTEEM encourages people to love themselves while striving to be healthy. With 10% of all purchases benefiting TEP, patrons shopped Tootsies’ fabulous fall fashions, as DJ Blake Ward provided the vibe. At the appointed time, patrons gathered upstairs as Co-chairs Melissa and Morgan took the stage and thanked everyone in attendance for their support of The Elisa Project and this year’s event. Dr. Stephanie Setliff, TEP’s board president, shared some details about the work The Elisa Project is doing in the community through advocacy, education and support, which touches the lives of more than 31,000 individuals suffering from eating disorders each year. Gloria Campos and Tootsies store director Nerissa von Helpenstill, then described the two upcoming fashion scenes, “Borrowed from the Boys” and “She’s a Lady,” which were modeled by an amazing group of TEP supporters chosen for their commitment to giving back to the community and to those with eating disorders. All children’s fashions were provided by KidBiz/The Biz. Co-founder and event producer Rhonda Sargent Chambers had the last word as she thanked the individuals who helped make the event possible, by presenting them with potted orchids. Proceeds support The Elisa Project (TEP) and the important programs dedicated to fighting eating disorder illnesses through awareness, education, support and advocacy.

FGI Dallas Celebrates Local Rising Stars of 2016

photos c/o Gregory Martin and QC Cong


Fashion Group International of Dallas is part of Fashion Group International, Inc., a global, non-profit, professional organization with more than 6,000 members representing all areas of the fashion industry. Fashion Group International, Inc. provides a high-profile forum to promote the fashion business by hosting events that educate and facilitate the exchange of ideas by giving back to the community. On Tuesday, March 8 at Galleria Dallas,Fashion Group International Dallas (FGI of Dallas) celebrated Dallas’ most notable young talent in the world of fashion, art and design. The event kicked off with a fashion show produced by Jan Strimple, featuring pieces from the three fashion nominees and event sponsors: Banana Republic, Belk, Rangler, Express, BCBGeneration and Club Monaco. Event chair and owner of Couture Rocks, Carinthia Kishaba, introduced the night’s emcee Courtney Kerr. After weeks of voting, the 2016 Rising Star winners were announced. The big winners of the night were:

• Accessories: handbag designer, Allison Mitchell 
• Art: La Toya Jones 
• Fashion: Binzario Couture - Andre Yabin and Luis Nazario 
• Interior Design: James “JT” Turner 
• Make-Up Artistry: Shane Monden 
• Photography: Jason Fitzgerald 
• People’s Star Award: bowtie designer, Jeremy M. Calhoun

Following the presentation, guests celebrated in the “alley” where the “fashion police” gave fashion citations and restaurants from Galleria Dallas provided the food. Austin Cocktails provided the beverages for the event. For more information about FGI Dallas visit http://dallas.fgi.org/.

FGI of Dallas Announces 2016 Rising Star Nominees

FashionGroup International Dallas (FGI Dallas) has announced the 2016 Rising Star nominees. Dallas’ most notable young talent in the world of fashion, art and design will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:00 pm at Galleria Dallas during the Rising Stars event.

Nominees include:
Fashion: Andre Yabin & Luis Nazario, Esé Azénabor, Charles Smith II
Accessories: Jeremy M. Calhoun, Allison Mitchell, Taylor Miller
Photography: Cameron Lee Phan, Kelly Williams, Jason Fitzgerald
Make-Up: Joanna Hathcock, Shane Monden, Jerrad Trahan
Interior Design: Kara Legako, James Turner, Andrew Gonzales
Art: LaToya Jones, Jo Jo Herda, Shawn Saumell

Galleria Dallas will set the stage for a seated runway show produced by Jan Strimple featuring retailers from Galleria Dallas. FGI of Dallas members will choose the winner from each category. Voting begins February 2 and runs through February 12. Tickets prices are $75 and $100 for VIP front row seats. Proceeds from the event fund FGI Dallas’ foundation scholarships. For more information including how to purchase tickets visit GalleriaDallas.com/FGI or call 214.634.0204. To join, FGI of Dallas, go to www.fgi.org/dallas.

VIPreview of Decadence: Fashions from the 1920s Offers Eye Candy Galore

Photos c/o Thomas Garza, Bob Manzano and Danny Campbell


Decadence: Fashions from the 1920s, a fashion exhibit celebrating the beauty and elegance of the 1920s, kicked off with a VIPreview on Wednesday, January 20. Presented by Galleria Dallas, curated by Ken Weber of Vintage Martini and featuring pieces from the Susan Denn and Robert Schmidt Collection and The Texas Fashion Collection of UNT College of Visual Arts & Design, Decadence showcases the allure of the 1920s in fashion and accessories. The exhibit is timely given the resurgence of 1920s-inspired silhouettes on the runways of designers such as Gucci, Marchesa and Prada and the popularity of shows such as Downtown Abbey. Local style stars and fashionistas such as Jan Strimple, Heidi Dillon, Dawn Mellon, Rhonda Sargent Chambers, handbag designer Allison Mitchell, Chuck Steelman, Carmeleta Whitely, Yvonne Crum, Jack Son, Holly Quataro, and Gina Ginsburg turned out to view rare pieces from French, Spanish and Italian couturiers including Madeleine Vionnet, Mariano Fortuny, Maria Monaco Gallenga and Lucien Lelong. The exhibit is incredibly displayed and breathtaking to behold. I can't say enough great things about it - and it's FREE - so get over to the Galleria this month and take it all in! Decadence: Fashions from the 1920s is free to Galleria shoppers and can be visited at the Galleria Dallas/Level One near Banana Republic January 22 – February 28, 2016. Visit www.galleriadallas.com for exhibit hours.

Esé Azénabor Debuts SS16 Collection at Demerara

Cynthia Smoot, Esé Azénabor

In 2011, Esé Azénabor traded a predictable life in accounting for the wild world of fashion. Flash-forward to 2015 and her couture work has already graced several red carpets on celebrities like Vivica A. Fox, Pat Smith and Angela Simmons.

At this year’s DIFFA fundraiser, I was lucky enough to wear her Nemesis white jumpsuit with gold brocade trim. The outfit was such a showstopper, KTXD’s The Broadcast spent 3 minutes the next morning talking about it.

In preparation for her first New York Fashion Week appearance, Esé debuted her Spring/Summer 2016 Collection at Demerara last week. Her designs were beautifully accessorized by handbags from Allison Mitchell. Her inspiration for this collection was taken from the "Garden of Eden." I think she nailed it because these pieces are sinfully tempting!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, keep your eye on this one because this designer is going to be the next Big thing to come out of Dallas. I would not be at all surprised to see one of her couture gowns on the Oscars red carpet next year.

View more of her stunning work at eseazenabor.com