FGI Denver Captures Major Award at International New York Conference - LamanBlu is the Rising Star

SHINING STAR IN THE FASHION UNIVERSE

Susanne Taylor, FGI District 4 Director and winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Scottie Taylor Iverson, FGI of Denver Regional Director and chair of RISING STAR; Nathalia Fairbault, FGI of Denver program chair and NY conference attendee; Jan Top, FGI of Denver program chair and NY conference attendee; Carol Engel-Enright, business development chair, Career Day chair and NY conference attendee with Margaret Hayes, president of Fashion Group International, NY headquarters

Fashion Group International of Denver won the coveted Special Event Award for RISING STAR 2009, Fashion By Design Runway Gala at the recent international conference in New York. The awards banquet was held at the famed Cosmopolitan Club and was a particularly sweet culmination for the Denver contingent after the first full day of meetings and presentations held at Conde Naste. This was a wonderful surprise to be shared with a large, talented and passionate committee,” said Iverson. “ I am so proud of the individuals I chose. We all poured our hearts into RISING STAR and it showed! Since the judges weren’t at the event, the package compiled for competition had to be comprehensive as though they had attended.

My background in marketing and winning some national advertising awards helped with the daunting task. It’s all about relationships and we were told that one of the factors that put us on top was the number of sponsors and partners we garnered for the fundraiser for which we are so grateful. Denver is often overlooked in the world of fashion. We have proven that we have lifestyle and style.”

About RISING STAR: Signature event of Fashion Group International of Denver held every other year to salute new and emerging designers throughout Colorado in order to raise funds for fashion scholarships and educational outreach programs,

Venue: The exquisite showroom at Mercedes-Benz of Westminster with a 55’ runway in the west wing

Components: Kickoff party with 150 attendees and a wait list; red carpet entry, Starlight Lounge with live entertainment and special cuisine for sponsors, VIPs, category winners and media; silent auction; Academy Awards -style presentation of trophies on stage for category winners whose designs would be on the runway and sponsor gifts; fashion show with professional models, awarding of The Rising Star of the Year to Holli Gibson, LamanBlu, children’s clothing

Re-branding: naming the event, logo for the event, consistent use of images including an illustration of the last Rising Star’s evening gown (Gino Velardi – designer) by artist Jim Howard and three models in a Mercedes-Benz of Westminster convertible reaching for the stars

Innovations (all about stars): Save The Date cards attached to “star” shaped chocolate brownie lollipops, special fashion show at Outlets of Colorado Shopping Extravaganza highlighting fashions from category winners; professionally designed invitations, ads, souvenir program and collateral materials; awarding the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award to “Star Legend” David Jacobs, founder of Spyder Active Sports based in Boulder and including Spyder fashions on the runway; signature drink – “sparkling star” created by Occasions By Sandy; proclamations from two mayors; Saks Fifth Avenue display window on the valet circle at Cherry Creek Shopping Center; Star Spangled Banner sung by Nancy Fitzgerald to open the show; multi media presentation throughout created by Tommy Collier; progressive food stations and runway seating rather than tables; stage a presentation of a $2,500 scholarship to CSU by Kenneth King Foundation

Judging: Project Runway meets Academy Awards - Two layers of competition patterned after the New York format with a distinguished panel completing the final judging. Top three companies (BornFit, DVLP Clothing and LamanBlu) on stage for announcing of the winner for 2009. The 11 category winners were selected by criteria to evaluate their portfolios of current and past designs in addition to publicity and industry experience. Before a panel of distinguished judges, those winners continued with interviews and samples of product. Samples were assessed with regard to fashion trends, cohesive collections, construction and marketability. Further assessments were scored as to marketing strategies, distribution channels and business viability. Some companies already enjoy international distribution. Judges were charged with finding the designer who would have a nationally recognized brand within five years.

Of Interest: One of the most well known designers chosen as New York’s Rising Star in recent years is Tory Burch.

Category Winners: Women’s Sportswear -Julie Hill and Lisa Welch of BornFit, Women’s Dress – Stephanie Ohnmacht of Smooch, Art Wearables – Susan Kiely of Women With A Cause, Custom Design – Maureen deHaan of Denver Couture, Active Wear/ Outdoor Wear – Phoebe Stapleton of Sierra Designs, Urban/Street Wear – Rustin Coburn and Noah Price of DVLP Clothing, Children’s Wear – Holli Gibson of LamanBlu, Accessories- Eulanda Saunders of Yo-San Studio, Jewelry – Andrea Li of Andrea Li Designs, Retail – Mona Lucero of Mona Lucero and Interior Design – Jeanne Connolly of Vintage Renewal

Committee (All Star Cast): Jan Top, Debra Pain, Peggy Ziglin, Gino Velardi, Cynthia Petrus, Carol Engel-Enright Lisa Elstun, Nathalia Faribault, Evelyn Stephens, Jim Howard, Susan Ware, Stephen Replin, Vicky Nolan, Lenora Chavez, Lauren Vitalie, Cindy Mackin, Patty Spivack, Melissa Oster, Lisa Wax, Donna Kelly, Keri Christiansen, Janet Wagner and Jo Frank

Sponsors: Platinum Star – Mercedes-Benz of Westminster

Gold Star – Outlets of Colorado

Partners: Occasions By Sandy, Newberry Bothers Greenhouse & Florist, Saks Fifth Avenue, Moet & Chandon, Applejack Wine & Spirits, Beverage Distributors Pinnacle Division, The Villager Newspaper, Donna Kelly Beauty, Posh Salon, Balistreri Winery, Breckenridge Brewery, Starbucks, oogave, Chocolate Discoveries, Tommy Collier, Live Entertainment by David Christie

Caterer/Sponsor/ Partner: Occasions By Sandy

Graphic Designer: Stu Wyatt Productions

Printers: MIDO, Print Pointe

Support by: Blacktie-Colorado.com, The Denver Post-Suzanne Brown, The Villager Newspaper, Denver a la Mode, Mile High Sports Radio – Live with Lisa, Denver Magazine, Denver Woman Magazine, 9News- Colorado & Company, 303 Magazine, Denver Daily News, KKHI Radio, FGI Student Chapter at CSU

“The Fashion Group International of Denver’s Rising Star Awards bi-annual fashion gala is a phenomenal arena in which to compete for our city’s emerging design talent! It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase their businesses, share their vision and to contribute to the creative essence of Denver and Colorado. It was my sincere pleasure to be part of the steering committee for RISING STAR 2009.” --Cynthia Petrus

Saks Fifth Avenue, PR/Fashion Director; RISING STAR Show Producer; former Regional Director FGI Denver and FGI Cleveland

Fashion Group International is a global nonprofit organization with 5,000 members sharing worldwide expertise – professionals who move the fashion industries…apparel, accessories, beauty and the home. The FGI mission is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help the members become more effective in their professional lives. Districts include: Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Kansas City, North Florida, St. Louis, South Florida (includes Miami), Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Columbia, Toronto, London, Paris, Mexico City, Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul and of course – New York. Denver is in District 4 Southwest that also includes Arizona, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.