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 Rodgers, 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/.
