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

Dallas Designer Shows Venetian Dream Collection To Benefit Terminally Ill Mothers

photos c/o Thomas Garza and Bob Manzano


(Press Release) On March 29, the Ally’s Wish Boots and Blessings Gala host committee and local designer Esé Azénabor welcomed more than 125 guests to the gorgeous home of honorary chair Tricia Sims for an evening of fashion and philanthropy. “A Venetian Dream,” was the collaboration of Ally’s Wish and local designer, Esé Azénabor that commenced the countdown to the Flower Mound-based organization’s second annual gala to be held at Gilley’s Dallas on April 30, 2016. After enjoying sweet treats by The Jenny Layne Bakery and sips courtesy of Sweet Beat Vodka and Community Beer, the glamorous Gina Ginsburg, Ken Weber, Chuck Steelman, Melissa Rountree, Dawn Mellon, and Allison Mitchell took their seats. All eyes turned to Mistress of Ceremonies, Real Housewives of Dallas star LeeAnne Locken and gala chair Laura Downing who thanked sponsors before introducing Ally’s Wish president, Missy Phipps. Inspired by the loss of their dear friend, Allyson Hendrickson, to ovarian cancer, Missy Phipps, Holly Reed, Melissa Cary and Heather Bryan founded Ally’s Wish to grant a last wish to young mothers battling terminal illnesses. In just two years, the women have raised more than $150,000 and granted wishes like helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon and adventures swimming with dolphins to sixteen mothers.

Dallas Designer Esé Azénabor Is Poised To Become Fashion's Next Big Thing

Tammy Franklin, Vivica A. Fox, Natasha Hastings, Pat Smith

Meet the woman is is poised to become fashion's next big thing: Esé Azénabor. Hailing from a family who considered fashion design more of a hobby than a career, Azénabor initially had to sweep her creative urges under the rug. The Azénabor name was grounded in the fields of medicine, law, and engineering, and Esé, in turn, attended the University of Windsor in Windsor in Ontario, Canada, and majored in accounting. A move to Dallas followed to pursue a Master’s Degree at Southern Methodist University. It was in Dallas that Esé began to follow her dreams and started designed handmade dresses for herself, friends and family. In 2012, without any financial assistance, this self-taught designer traded predictable college life for the wild world of fashion with the launch of her self-titled ready-to-wear line. At her sewing machine, she conceptualized her fascination for heavy hand beading, crocheted lace, exquisite fabrics and embroidery. Inspired by a combination of vintage, African, Egyptian, and contemporary European influences, she merged cultures to create her debut of her Haute-Couture and Ready-to-wear luxurious collection. Esé Azénabor has now debuted five collections including her Fall/Winter 2015 collection inspired by Henry VIII as well as her Spring/Summer 2016 Collection with the theme of The Garden of Eden during New York’s Fashion Week and proved herself to definitely be one to watch in seasons to come. Esé Azénabor’s designs are inspired by the arts and her culture. They are daring, luxurious, extravagant, and shows her artistic side through her beading and attention to detail.

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.

FGI Night of Stars 2015 Dazzled and Delighted

Touch your mouse to the image below to scroll through a gallery of images from this event (which have been photoshopped to high hell, I might add): photos by Rhi Lee


Fashion Industry Gallery (better known as FIG) was the setting for an evening of glitz and high-glamour when the industry elite of Dallas fashion gathered to pay homage to those who have put – and continue to keep – Dallas on the world fashion scene. Actress Morgan Fairchild, who hails from Dallas, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in film and television. Nancy Nasher, owner of NorthPark Center, was the recipient of the Career Achievement Award in Business. David Sutherland was the recipient of the Career Achievement Award in Interior Design for his namesake furniture line, and Nancy Carlson was the recipient of the Art Patron of the Year award. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Prabal Gurung, recipient of the Career Achievement Award in Fashion. Prabal (whose name rhymes with trouble, he slyly told the crowd) presented his Spring 2016 Collection for guests’ enjoyment. The collection paid tribute to his home country of Nepal with fluid silhouettes in hues of orange, rose and saffron for spring 2016.

FGI Night of Stars might as well be the Academy Awards of Dallas fashion because that is how one dresses for the occasion. I always try to wear a Dallas designer to this event because, well, that's the whole purpose of the night - to honor Dallas fashion! This year, I was thrilled to wear a hand-beaded and hand-painted gown from Ese Azenabor's SS 2016 Collection. Attendees entered the gala on a red carpet and walked straight onto a paparazzi-like photo stop. A strategically placed silent auction was positioned in the center aisle of the gallery so one couldn’t avoid it – and no one did. A menu of cauliflower soup, a gourmet chicken pot pie and a pumpkin spice cake delighted those in attendance such as Nancy Rogers, Neiman Marcus’ Ken Downing, Chuck Steelman and Rachel Roberts, Brian Bolke, Tiffany Hendra, Melissa Rountree, Carmen Surgent, Jan Showers, and Ken Weber. Shout out to my table hosts, Heidi and Bill Dillon, for letting me a part of the cool kids table along with LeeAnne Locken, Hamilton Sneed, Gina Ginsburg, Dallas Dillon, Prashe Shaw and Dan Pritchett.

The event is FGI Dallas’ largest fundraiser of the year and proceeds from the event fund FGI Dallas’ foundation scholarships. This year marks the 66th year of Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI Dallas). FGI 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. For more information about FGI Dallas visit http://dallas.fgi.org/.

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

Dallas Designer Gets A Nod From Hollywood's Vivica A. Fox

photo of Vivica A. Fox c/o Ese Azénabor on Instagram

After seeing her last collection, I have said to several people that I believe Dallas fashion designer, Ese Azénabor, will be the next big thing to come out of Dallas. I predict that you WILL see her designs on the Oscars red carpet next year. She is just. that. good. And on Saturday, April 5, she proved that she is well on her way when her collection was featured at the 8th Annual Designer's Choice Fashion Preview in Little Rock, Arkansas. The show benefits The Timmons Arts Foundation founded by Theresa Timmons, which supports at-risk youth through the arts. According to the Examiner, "Actress, Vivica A. Fox came out to show her support this year by hosting the show and dazzling the crowd with her wit and sass." Azénabor outfitted Fox in two outfits: the black dress in the photo above is from her #FW15 collection titled 'Oh Scarlet' and the white Aztec-beaded cocktail dress is from her #FW14 collection called 'Stand on higher ground'. While Fox looked pretty amazing, I bet she didn't get an entire segment on a morning show talking about her outfit like I did when I wore Azénabor to DIFFA. Just sayin'...  I am thrilled to see such a talent continue to get the A-List recognition she deserves. You go, girl! To learn more about this talented designer visit www.EseAzenabor.com.

House of DIFFA: 25. You have to see it to believe it.

It's hard to put into words the fabulosity that is DIFFA. I always tell people who have never attended this event, "Image a room full of Steve Kemble's..." The mission of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is to raise funds and grant those funds to organizations which fight HIV/AIDS by providing preventative education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection, treatment and direct care services for people living with/impacted by HIV/AIDS and that support public policy initiatives which add resources to private sector funds. Known for it's over-the-top fun and fund-raising abilities, their annual black-tie gala makes this event one of THE hottest tickets in town every year. This year I was lucky enough to wear an amazing white jumpsuit designed by the immensely talented Ese Azenabor. I mean, look at it! Ese says her Spring/Summer Collection was inspired by the wives of Henry VIII. I took one look at this jumpsuit and thought, "Where else can you wear an Elvis-inspired jewel encrusted white jumpsuit with a cape than DIFFA?!" And I was right. CultureMap and the Dallas Voice have already been kind enough to feature me in their recaps of the event and my cleavage got its own shoutout on KTXD's The Broadcast. Holla! Click on any image to enlarge them and flip through the galley. It's quite the show...

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

Fashion X Dallas: Day Two Brings Twice the Fashion Fun

Project Runway in the house!!! Holla!

After the variance of designers that showed at the debut of Fashion X Thursday night I couldn't wait to get back to f.i.g. last night to see what Round Two held.  I was not disappointed. In the VIP lounge, Kendra Scott was giving away baubles and I scored a great pair of Madina gold filagree earrings. In the house to watch some fashion magic was jewelry designer Shona Gilbert of SHONA, Shannon Yoachum, Leah Pasant, The Fashionistas sent LeeAnne Locken to represent, D'Andra Simmons, andDFW Daily's Leah Frazier. I was totally star struck to see so many of my favorite Project Runway designers milling about. Even though this talented group isn't slated to show their collections until Saturday's finale performance, almost everyone came in on Friday and attended Friday's show as guests. You know I totally had to snap pics with my faves! Here's a little snippet of what you missed: