Against the glittering backdrop of New York City’s historic Rainbow Room, the fashion, beauty, entertainment, and business communities converged on Wednesday evening for Fashion Group International’s (FGI) 42nd annual Night of Stars gala. Embracing the overarching theme “The Modernists,” the high-profile event served as a glittering tribute to the visionary leaders who continue to shape contemporary culture, redefine aesthetic boundaries, and drive innovation across their respective industries.
The grand ballroom buzzed with energy as an elite guest list of industry icons, emerging talents, and cultural figures gathered to celebrate this year’s distinguished honorees. Among the notable attendees spotted mingling in the room were Vera Wang, Linda Fargo, Brandon Maxwell, David and Sybil Yurman, Ruben Toledo, Kate Barton, Jean Shafiroff, Princess Olympia of Greece, Rachel Scott, Kerry O’Brien, Jason Schupbach, Olivier Bron, Jeffrey Banks, Fern Mallis, Gary Wassner, and Aiste Hong, a celebrated FGI Rising Star winner.
The evening’s program unfolded with heartfelt tributes, humorous anecdotes, and powerful reflections on the nature of creativity, mentorship, and the enduring influence of fashion and beauty on society.
Honoring Excellence in Fashion Vision and Star Power
Wes Gordon, the global creative director of Carolina Herrera, accepted the prestigious Fashion Visionary Award for his outstanding creative direction and his significant contributions to modern American fashion. Paige Paul took the stage to present the honor to Gordon, who charmed the audience with a witty nod to his legendary predecessor.
“Everyone always asks me what’s a piece of advice Mrs. Herrera gave you, and the number one is that speeches should be short,” Gordon quipped during his acceptance speech.
Reflecting on his journey, Gordon drew a poignant parallel between his past and present within the industry. “There’s a saying that the days are long, but the years are short, and it feels like just yesterday that it was 2011, and I was standing receiving [FGI’s] Rising Star Award, very nervous. Tommy Hilfiger was sitting like right there. It was terrifying… That award still sits proudly on my shelf,” he shared.
Elaborating on his design philosophy, Gordon emphasized emotional connection over mere trends. “You know, I operate under the belief that happy people make happy clothes, and most of all, I am who I am as a designer because of the amazing women I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know in my life. I respect them, I love them, and I approach my job with the simple task of making pieces that would make them feel beautiful and happy, optimistic and joyful.”
The accolades continued with Roksanda Ilincic, the founder and creative director of her namesake London-based label Roksanda, who was honored with the Fashion Star Award. Presented by Jonathan Saunders, creative director of Kate Spade New York, the award recognized Ilincic’s distinct, artistic approach to color, form, and impeccable craftsmanship.
“I feel truly humbled to be here with all of you and one of my greatest friends [Saunders], and to be receiving this award so far from London… and to be in great company with all the other companies,” Ilincic said upon accepting the honor. She extended her gratitude to her devoted team, her family, and the inspirational women around the world who navigate daily challenges and ultimately serve as the muse for her creations.
Celebrating Beauty, Media, and Styling Icons
In the realm of beauty, Jane Hertzmark Hudis, executive vice president and chief brand officer of The Estée Lauder Cos., received the Beauty Award. Aerin Lauder presented the honor, celebrating Hertzmark Hudis’ remarkable impact as a transformative brand builder and a commanding leader on the global beauty stage.
“I especially want to thank all of my many friends, family and colleagues who are here tonight. You mean the world to me, each and every one of you,” Hertzmark Hudis expressed, adding that she considers her role leading more than 20 extraordinary beauty brands—including Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Tom Ford, and Bobbi Brown—to be her dream job.
Tracing the roots of her career, she noted how her professional path merged academic passions with corporate leadership. “I found my passion when I started in beauty. For me, it turned out to be the perfect combination of my love of art history, which was my major in college, and my MBA that followed. I absolutely love brands, focusing on building each brand’s unique and distinct brand equity, while always looking to the future, connecting to culture and building powerful relationships with our consumers around the world.”
Hertzmark Hudis also paid homage to the foundational figures of her career. “Tonight I stand on the shoulders of [chairman emeritus] Leonard Lauder. I met him just three weeks after I joined the company, and he was my mentor and teacher. For Leonard, brand equity was absolutely everything, as was being kind to others and always sending handwritten thank you notes. I would not be here today without Leonard’s 40 years of teaching and mentorship, along with the unwavering support of every single member of the Lauder family.”
The celebration of visual storytelling extended to the styling community as celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger received the Style Award in honor of the legendary Edith Head. Presented by designer Christian Siriano, the award acknowledged Erlanger’s profound influence on red carpet fashion and the business of image-making. Known for curating unforgettable looks for high-profile clients such as Meryl Streep, Kelly Clarkson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Ego Nwodim, as well as styling major campaigns for brands like L’Oréal, Lancôme, Nike, and Cadillac, Erlanger was praised by Siriano for creating genuine cultural moments rather than merely dressing celebrities.
Accepting the award, Erlanger remarked on the significance of bearing Edith Head’s name. “Receiving an award bearing the name of Edith Head, a visionary who defined how we view cinema, character and glamour, is surreal. Edith understood that clothes aren’t just worn on the screen, they tell a story before an actor ever speaks a word. That knowledge has framed my entire career of image making.”
She detailed the breadth of her dynamic career, adding, “Whether it’s preparing for an iconic press tour like ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ that I just finished, with the incomparable Meryl Streep, no less, to creating the visual identity on the day-to-day ‘Kelly Clarkson’ TV show, or even prepping a client for an award show or the Met Gala, the goal remains the same. It’s about building character, inspiring confidence and telling a visual story that resonates with the world.”
The evening also honored leadership in fashion communications. Lucien Pagès received the Media Leadership Award, presented by Nicole Phelps, director of Global Vogue Runway, acknowledging his pivotal role in shaping the global narratives of top-tier fashion houses and creative talents. In his acceptance speech, Pagès offered a timely tribute to journalism. “Exchanging ideas with journalists has always been an immense source of inspiration, and in a world where the future is supposed to be AI, I want to pay tribute to them. Thank you.”
Changemaking and Supporting the Next Generation
The final major honor of the evening, the Changemaker Award, was presented to Henry R. Muñoz 3rd—a distinguished business leader, Tony- and Emmy Award-winning producer, media executive, architectural designer, activist, and philanthropist. Tonatiuh, an actor, writer, and producer, alongside Maria Nicanor, director of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, presented the award in recognition of Muñoz’s enduring impact on design, architecture, culture, and institutional equity.
In a deeply moving acceptance speech, Muñoz reflected on his upbringing in San Antonio, Texas, and the foundational lessons taught by his parents. While noting his father’s local prominence as a lawyer, Muñoz highlighted the vital role his mother played.
“It always struck me that everybody always wanted to talk about my father, who was kind of famous in San Antonio, but it was my mom who used fashion to create empowerment in her own family. She designed the windows in our fancy department store and that’s how she put seven kids who followed her, her brothers and sisters, through school. And she always made sure that we had the best clothes, even if she had to put them on layaway… She understood that fashion is power, and that it represents opportunity, and I think she must have understood that fashion is a reflection of the society that we live in at the moment that we’re living. For me, that’s a reminder that it’s usually everyday heroes that create change, and they never do it alone.”
Demonstrating his commitment to fostering future talent, Muñoz accepted the award on behalf of his mother and announced a $25,000 gift made in her name to FGI to establish a scholarship for aspiring fashion leaders.
As one of Fashion Group International’s signature annual fundraising events, the Night of Stars gala directly supports the organization’s continuous mission to nurture, educate, and connect fashion and beauty professionals across every phase of their professional journeys. Proceeds from the evening benefit essential educational programming, mentorship initiatives, scholarships, professional development resources, and community grants administered by the organization.
Maryanne Grisz, president and chief executive officer of Fashion Group International—who attended the gala wearing a striking black dress designed by Rising Star winner Aiste Hong—summarized the core mission of the evening.
“Fashion Group International was founded almost 100 years ago by visionary women who understood the power of bringing creative minds together,” Grisz said. “Their legacy lives on in our mission to connect, educate, mentor and champion talent at every stage of a career. Tonight, as we celebrate extraordinary achievement, we also invest in the next generation of visionaries.”
