The Fashion Group International (FGI) is a global, non-profit, professional organization founded in 1930 in New York City to benefit the fashion industry. [1] FGI currently has over 5000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home. [2] FGI is divided into chapters in cities all over the world (Canada, Colombia, England, México, Dominican Republic Seoul), with the major chapter in New York City.
FGI began in 1928 when Edna Woolman Chase, the Editor-of-Chief of Vogue, gathered seventeen women for lunch in a New York restaurant. [3] The group was formed officially in 1930 in New York City. Founding and charter members included Elizabeth Arden, Julia Coburn, Eleanor Roosevelt, Helena Rubinstein, Lilly Daché, Edith Head, Mary Brooks Picken, Claire McCardell, and Tobé Coller Davis. Each woman had a significant role in the fashion industry, one of them being to spread awareness about the fashion business and the roles women had in the business. [3] In 1930, The Fashion Group became an organization. There were many women who wanted to become members of the organization. The Fashion Group was located in New York City. One of their offices was located on East 12th Street, donated by Louis Fairchild. Another one of their offices was donated by Harper's Bazaar, located at 572 Madison Avenue. [3]
Fashion Group International remains headquartered in New York City. Today, the company size ranges from 51 to 200 employees. Their primary location is 8 West 40th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018. [4] The Fashion Group International hosts a gala called the "Night of Stars." This year, the 38th "Night of Stars" gala will take place on October 13, 2022, at Casa Cipriani South Street. Some of the stars who will be recognized include Michael Kors, Christian Siriano, Prabal Gurung, and Dionne Warwick. [5]
The Fashion Group's archives, spanning six decades of the fashion industry, are now housed at the New York Public Library.
DKNY is a New York City–based fashion house for men and women, founded in 1984 by Donna Karan. The company specializes in a wide range of fashion products, including clothing, footwear, and accessories.
Revlon, Inc. is an American multinational company dealing in cosmetics, skin care, perfume, and personal care. The headquarters of Revlon was established in New York City on March 1, 1932, where it remains. Revlon was founded by brothers Charles and Joseph Revson, and chemist Charles Lachman. Revlon products are sold in 150 countries and the company has many global locations including Mexico City, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Sydney, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Donatella Francesca Versace, sometimes simply referred to mononymously as Donatella, is an Italian fashion designer, businesswoman, socialite, and model. She is the sister of Gianni Versace, founder of the luxury fashion company Versace, with whom she worked closely on the development of the brand and in particular its combining of Italian luxury with pop culture and celebrity.
Carolina Herrera is a Venezuelan American fashion designer. Known for her personal style, she founded her namesake brand in 1980. Herrera has dressed various First Ladies of the United States, including Jacqueline Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump.
Moschino is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1983 by Franco Moschino in Milan known for over-the-top, campy designs. The company specializes in ready-to-wear, handbags, and fashion accessories. Moschino's creative director is Adrian Appiolaza.
Badgley Mischka is an American fashion label designed by Mark Badgley and James Mischka. Their collections are said to be largely influenced by the style of the glamour of 1940s Hollywood while remaining simple and streamlined.
Ben Barry is a Canadian entrepreneur, academic, author, and women's health advocate. He is currently the Dean of Fashion at the New School. Ben is the founder and CEO of the Ben Barry Agency, a modelling agency and consultancy known for its use of diverse models, and the author of the Canadian bestseller Fashioning Reality: A New Generation of Entrepreneurship.
Alice + Olivia is a New York City-based contemporary clothing company with designer Stacey Bendet at the helm. The global brand launched at Barneys in 2002 and is now sold in over fifty countries.
Haus Alkire is an American fashion label headed by design partners Julie Alkire and Jason Alkire. Both the Alkires are members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Established in 2012, the line is made in New York City.
The Underfashion Club is a non-profit fashion industry group dedicated to "all facets of the intimate apparel industry: foundations, daywear, sleepwear, robes, and loungewear".
Jason Alkire is an American fashion designer and partner of the Haus Alkire fashion label. His partner and wife is Julie Alkire, also known as Julie Haus. The first public season of the New York made women's collection was Fall 2012.
Anne Fontaine is a women's fashion brand. The company is based in France, and its products include clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories.
Bethann Hardison is an American fashion model and activist. Hardison became one of the first high-profile black models after her appearance at the 1973 Battle of Versailles fashion show. She is also known for her activism on diversity in the fashion industry. Hardison has received several accolades for her work, including the 2014 CFDA Founders Award. Hardison is the mother of actor Kadeem Hardison.
Gabriela Hearst is a Uruguayan women's luxury ready-to-wear and accessories designer. In addition to designing her namesake collection, she runs and operates her family's ranch in Uruguay.
Angela Missoni is the creative director and president of Missoni S.p.A. Since 1997 she has run the company when she took over from her parents Rosita and Ottavio Missoni their knitwear business. She has since transformed the company into a fashion giant, featuring evening wear, swimwear, tailoring and more, developing a reputation for keeping the Missoni design company fresh and relevant for 60+ years. Missoni is well known as a supporter of human rights and women's issues.
Heidi Weisel was an American fashion designer. She was the founder and head of design for Heidi Weisel, a New York City-based women's luxury brand. Weisel's signature was creating modern, timeless evening wear with the simplicity and ease of sportswear. She was known for her unexpected mix of fabrics, often incorporating knitted cashmere, silk chiffon, silk satin, lace, tulle, and leather. A Heidi Weisel chiffon and lace design is in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Weisel was a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
Deirdre Quinn is an American businesswoman. She is the co-founder and CEO of Lafayette 148, a New York-based fashion house. She is also the 2016 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipient.
Lafayette 148 is an American fashion house located in New York City. Originally launched in 1996 by Deirdre Quinn, Shun Yen Siu and Ida Siu, the brand produces women's clothing, footwear and accessories. It is a privately owned company.
Karolina Zmarlak is a Polish-American fashion designer. She is known for founding the fashion company KZ_K Studio.
Gloria Sachs was an American fashion designer. Gloria Sachs Designs, founded in 1970, tailored for the increasing percentage of American women employed in professional and management positions through the 1970s and 1980s.