Galleria Dallas Hosts 2016 FGI Dallas Rising Stars Awards

Rising Stars! From left: Shane Monden, Jason Fitzgerald, LaToya Jones, James Turner, Alex Small (FGI board member, ;) only non-Rising Star on stage), Binzario Couture designers Luis Nazario and Andre Yabin, Allison Mitchell, and Jeremy Michael Calhoun

Fashion Group International (FGI) of Dallas recognized some of the brightest fashion industry stars in Dallas earlier this March.  FGI is a world-wide professional organization for those who work in the fashion industry, many of whom are entrepreneurs.  The 18 FGI Dallas Rising Stars nominees this year were chosen for both their fashion sense and business savvy.  As usual, the Galleria Dallas was a fabulous host and Jan Strimple wowed us again with her runway show featuring Galleria Dallas retailers and the Rising Stars fashion nominees.  

I'm so happy to know several of the 2016 Rising Stars nominees and admire their work.  I have to give a special shout out to my friend Taylor Miller, who has run a successful business Hazen Jewelry since she was nine.  She and I went to SMU together and bonded over our mutual love of fashion and business.  By far the youngest of the 18 nominees recognized this year and I know we're all looking forward to following the progression of her business.     

The Nominees (Winners in bold):

Fashion: Binzario Couture / Charles Smith II / Ese Azenabor
Accessories: Allison Mitchell / Jeremy Michael Calhoun / Taylor Miller

Art: JoJo Herdashey, LaToya Jones, Shawn Saumell
Interior Design: Andrew Gonzales, James Turner, Kara Legako
Make Up: Jarred Trehan / Joanna Hathcock / Shane Monden
Photography: Cameron Phan / Jason Fitzgerald / Kelly Williams

We're proud to say that FGI Dallas has some of the most involved members of the 6,000 people who are a part of FGI around the world.  The whole community came out on FGI Rising Stars night to show their love and support for the fashion industry and those who keep it alive.  These pictures show how fabulous Dallas fashion is, so enjoy these beautiful images by some of my favorite Dallas photographers - Thomas Garza, Danny Campbell, Quoc Cong, and Gregory Martin.

 Holly Quartaro, Lilit Matevosyan, Alex Small, Britt Harless, Elizabeth Anyaa

 Rosanne Hart, Andre Yabin, Alex Small, and Luis Nazario

 Venny Etienne, LeeAnne Locken, Korey Williams, Andre Yabin, and Tiffany Hendra

 A look by Ese Azenabor

 Taylor Miller, Hazen Jewelry designer and FGI Rising Stars nominee in accessories

 Selfie time! From left: ShantaQuilette DeVelle, Charmaine Marshall, Leah Frazier, Alex Small

 Winners!  Binzario Couture designers Luis Nazario and Andre Yabin

 A look by Charles Smith II

Khanh Nguyen and Charles Smith II

 Scott Kehn and Chuck Steelman

 LaToya Jones, Allison Mitchell, Steve Kemble, Alex Small, Yvonne Crum, and Chad Collom

 Jennifer Socarraz-Fleming gets caught by the Fashion Police 

 Binzario Couture's finale look

 Taylor Bacic with the Fashion Police!

 Steve Kemble, Ken Weber, LeeAnne Locken, Chuck Steelman, Tiffany Hendra, Chad Collom, and Brook Branagan

 David Marx, Gina Marx, Andre Yabin, Luis Nazario, Yvonne Crum, Alex Small, Kim Rozell, LaToya Jones, and Charmaine Marshall

 A look by Binzario Couture

 Britt Harless and Jan Strimple

Katy Messersmith, Yvonne Crum, and Marc Mattox

 Carinthia Kishaba, Allison Mitchell, and Courtney Kerr

 A look by Binzario Couture

Interested in applying for membership to FGI Dallas?  Check out the website for more information.

Lights! Camera! DFW Style Daily's Best Dressed 2013 at Galleria Dallas

This is a very long-overdue post.  Last month, I got to attend one of the fashion events of the season. I have one word to describe DFW Style Daily's Best Dressed 2013 event: INCREDIBLE.  Not only was the event fashion-forward, I was especially impressed by the turnout.  Literally everyone involved in the Dallas style scene was there to support some great causes on the ice rink at Galleria Dallas for the big "Best Dressed" reveal.  For being a community of people with a lot of different jobs and interests within the fashion industry, Dallas stylistas always seem to love and support one another.  This was definitely apparent at Best Dressed 2013.  That's why it makes me proud and grateful to be part of Dallas' fashion community.  The money raised from the event was evenly split between the Suicide and Crisis Center and Dallas Can Academies.  From what I could see in the audience of over 700 people, it was a very successful fundraising night for these two awesome charities.

Yvonne Crum and Steve Kemble

This event's layout was unlike any other event I've been to before.  Instead of having just one fashion show, there were several fashion shows produced by Jan Strimple featuring clothing from Galleria Dallas retailers.  While watching the runway shows you could mingle with friends, sip cocktails (if you're at least 21), and sample some delicious bites of food from Galleria Dallas restaurants.  It was pretty cool!

There are too many people that I met and chatted with that I'm afraid I'll forget to mention someone.  So I'll give you a few highlights.  Of course, all of DFW Style Daily's fabulous team was there, including Lisa Petty (editor-in-chief extraordinaire).  Yvonne Crum always inspires the audience with her passionate dedication to the Suicide and Crisis Center.  I hung out with Yvonne's fabulous friend Regina Bruce for the whole night.  And of course, America's Sassiest Lifestyle Guru, Steve Kemble, was the life of the party.  Famous blogger pal Cynthia Smoot dazzled in a green Lela Rose dress.  And this is just the beginning of the long list a stylistas in attendance! 

One of my BFFs, Yvonne Crum

Make sure to check out the Best Dressed honorees on DFW Style Daily.  See you at next year's DFW Style Daily's Best Dressed!  If it's half as fabulous as this year's, I guarantee it'll be a night to remember.

DFW Style Daily's Best Dressed 2013... I'm So There!

Philanthropist-extraordinaire Yvonne Crum.  DFW Style Daily's editor-in-chief Lisa Petty.  America's Sassiest Lifestyle Guru  Steve Kemble.  The legendary runway show producer Jan Strimple.  Need I say more?  These are just a few of the fashionable folks you'll bump into at this Thursday's DFW Style Daily's Best Dress 2013 event.  The money raised from the event will benefit Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas as well as Dallas Can Academies.  Pop-up runway shows by Jan Strimple will keep you up to date on this season's trends.  The Best Dressed of 2013 will be revealed.  Tons of stylistas will be there to mingle with.  It's all happening on the ice rink at the Galleria Dallas.  

Clockwise from left: Yvonne Crum, Lisa Petty, Jan Strimple, Steve Kemble

It sounds like this is going to be the event of the season.  Get your tickets online and see you Thursday September 26, 6:00 at the Galleria Dallas!

PS: There's an exclusive pre-party at Brahmin Galleria Dallas at 5:00 Thursday night!

FGI: A Night of Stars 2012

The Fashion Group International of Dallas has outdone itself.  This year's A Night of Stars event was another success.  The event was about recognizing rising stars in the Dallas Fashion Industry.  Northpark's Victoria Snee hosted the evening and emceed the award and runway shows.  The runway show was phenomenal, featuring Nha Khanh, Lela Rose, and Cassie Bumpous.  The show was produced by the legendary Jan Strimple, of course.  Off the runway, all the guests looked chic and stylish.

 I ran into some old friends and made some new ones.  Jan Strimple was working the runway backstage, and I finally got a picture with her!  I was so excited!  I also ran into Heidi Dillon, founder of The Fashionistas.  Emilie's former personal trainer Marquette Falbo and SMU grad Grace Davis were at the event on business.  During the runway show, I met Mary Ellen Dorey of Dorey AromaTherapy and Rosanne Hart of The Hart Agency.  We had a fun time discussing the fashions on the runway and taking pics with our iPhones.  Rising Star Angela Scott, who is a shoe designer, was so cool.  Just a great way to top off a fabulous night! 

A look from Lela Rose's runway

With Jan Strimple

The Fashion Police

With Heidi Dillon

Fashion Designer Khanh Nguyen (photo by: Kristina Bowman)

Shoe Designer Angela Scott (photo by: Kristina Bowman)

With Marquette, Emilie's former personal trainer

Cassie Bumpous' runway show

With Grace Davis, SMU grad

Fashion Designer Lela Rose (photo by: Kristina Bowman)