Binzario Couture Wows At NYC Fashion Week

photos c/o Fashion X Dallas and Benzario Couture


(Press Release) Before Binzario Couture debuted its Spring/Summer 2017 collection, “Daydream” at New York Fashion Week last month at the Affinia Hotel, Manhattan, they let local fans get a first look at Fashion X Dallas. A few days later, their NYC appearance drew a crowd nearly three times larger than expected. The room was full of fashion enthusiasts, celebrity stylists, celebrities, including D. Smith and Mimi Faust – cast of “Love and Hip-hop”; Darnell Thibodeaux and Ashley Roberts – cast of “WAGs Miami”; Natalie Eva Marie – WWA Wrestler; Bianca Espada – E!’s “Rich Kids of Beverly Hills”; Marissa Jade – American model turned actress who is best known for VH1 reality television show “Mob Wives”. "The Fitzgerald Ballroom was turned into a designer runway and as Binzario's first model took her place at the head of the runway, the crowd was mesmerized," said a representative from Benzario Couture. "The stillness of the room was evident as everyone seemingly held their breathe so as not to allow anything from interfering with their ability to take in the extraordinary detail and beauty of each of the 20 pieces."

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.

Join Me At A Walk In Paris To Raise Funds For Autism Research

At this year's FGI Night of Stars with designers
Andre Yabin and Luis Nazario in a custom
Binzario Couture gown made just for me!

The Bobby Norris Roundup for Autism today announces that it will host its first Fashion Show and Luncheon “A Walk in Paris” on Thursday, April 23 at The Fairmont Hotel Dallas featuring one-of-a-kind gala gowns by Binzario Couture. All proceeds will benefit The Autism Treatment Centers of Texas. During the Vintage, French-inspired fashion show, produced by Jeannette Chivvis with Chivvis Style, guests can expect to swoon over the locally designed, custom gowns by Binzario Couture modeled by some of Dallas' hottest local celebrities and charming philanthropists including Dawn Neufeld, LeeAnne Locken, Dawn Mellon, Lisa Petty, Yvonne Crum, Melissa Rountree and - me!

Attendees also have the opportunity to win a one-of-a-kind Binzario Couture gala gown of their own by entering the raffle. In addition to the gorgeous gowns, the models will be styled in jewelry by Couture Rocks Fine Jewelry and will get to enjoy hearing from special guest WFAA 8, Good Morning Texas’ Host, Carrie McClure.

“My Co-Chair Mary Bentley and I are thrilled about hosting Roundup for Autism’s first ever fashion show and luncheon,” Roundup for Autism Executive Director, Gina Marx said. “We are overwhelmed so far with the support of the DFW community and are so thankful to have Binzario Couture on board to help make this event even more special.” The fashion show and luncheon “A Walk in Paris” is a prelude to Roundup for Autism’s grand two-day fall event, the Pegasus parade and rodeo in the Fort Worth Stockyards, followed the next day by a black-tie gala, the Pegasus Ball, at the Fairmont Hotel Dallas. The fall event is slated for Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19. A pair of tickets to the Pegasus Ball is also being raffled off at the April 23 “A Walk in Paris” fashion luncheon.

FGI of Dallas Announces Rising Stars Nominees for 2015

Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI of Dallas) today announced its annual Rising Stars event, which will be held on Galleria Dallas’ iconic ice skating rink on Thursday, February 26 at 6 p.m. Throughout the evening Jan Strimple will produce several runway shows featuring retailers from Galleria Dallas. FGI of Dallas’ Rising Stars event features Dallas’ up-and-coming fashion leaders, who are already breaking into national fashion headlines. Winners will be announced at the event.

2015 Rising Star Nominees Include:

• Rising Star of Fashion: Lucy Dang, Binzario Couture and Ese Azenabor. 
• Rising Star of Interior Design: Doniphan Moore, Brant McFarlain and Abbe Fenimore. 
• Rising Star of Beauty: Curran Dandurand, Tia Pettijohn and Dana Kale and Dr. Naila Malik. 
• Rising Star of Photography: Kristi and Scot Redman, Brandon Lyon and Hal Samples. 
• Rising Star of Jewelry: Shona Gilbert, Megan Thorne and Shoshannah Frank and Casey Melton. 
• Rising Star of Art: Shayema Rahim, Scott Tucker and Jonathan Ramirez. 

2015 Event Chairs are Shay Geyer, Meredith Hite and Carinthia Kishaba. General Admission tickets are available for $50 and V.I.P. tickets are available for $100. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite at http://www.galleriadallas.com/event/FGI or by phone at 214-632-0204. 100 percent of the proceeds from the event will go towards the FGI of Dallas scholarship fund. For more information about FGI of Dallas and its annual Rising Stars event, visit http://dallas.fgi.org/ 

Pictured above are a few of the Rising Star 2015 nominees: Kristi and Scot Redman, Ese Azenabor, Doniphan Moore, Abbe Fenimore, Shona Gilbert, Binzario Couture, Scott Tucker, Lucy Dang and Brandon Lyon, Dr. Naila Malik