Night of the Stars

On June 15, 2006, Chicago's finest ventured to the super stylish Peninsula Hotel to celebrate the icons, "Super Stars" and "Rising Stars" who influence fashion, beauty, design and retail in the city.“Night of Stars celebrates the best and the brightest talents the industry has to offer,” said Peggy Lanigan, Fashion Group Foundation of Chicago. “By bringing the Super Stars and Rising Stars together, we hope to capture the spirit of innovation and inspiration that drives the heart of the fashion, home and beauty industries in Chicago.

The cutting-edge fashion and design event began with a cocktail reception at 6 pm, followed by an award presentation. The impeccable evening came to a close out on the terrace where guests enjoyed music, dessert and hobnobbing among the stars, including notables like Mr. Pliner and David Kohler.

And the winners are:

Super Stars

Accessories – Donald J Pliner, a Chicago native whose luxury lines of footwear,
handbags and belts are known throughout the world

Apparel – Edward Wilkerson, design director for Lafayette 148, creates classic, provocative designs in luxurious fabrics.

Retail – Neiman Marcus, the premier luxury retailer carrying the most world-renowned designer lines

Home – The Kohler Company, worldwide leaders in design and innovation, setting the standard for kitchen, bath, tile, furnishings and accessories

Beauty – Vidal Sassoon, one of the most influential brands in the hair industry of all time

Rising Stars

Accessories – Joëlle Minassian, designer for Joëlle Nadine Designs

Apparel – Allie Adams, designer for Doris Ruth, known for vintage-inspired, ultra-
feminine, flirty designs

Retail – Heji Choy, owner of Hejfina, a modern, lifestyle-centric boutique where function and form blend to create the essential shopping experience

Home – Afiya and Johnene Adams, designers, AHA Designs, a mother-daughter team known for their custom designs, integration of original works of art and careful attention to detail

Beauty – Natalie Tessler, owner of Spa Space, which effectively combines a serious
approach to skin and body care with a welcoming and luxurious environment focused on the individual

Fashion Group International is a global non-profit organization with 6000 members worldwide in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home. The main goals of FGI are to advance professionalism in the fashion industry, to provide important national and global information, such as trend forecasts to industry members and to recognize achievement within the industry.