FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL OF DALLAS (FGI) AWARDS OVER $60,000 IN SCHOLARSHIP MONIES TO STUDENTS FROM 13 DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES

DALLAS– On April 20, 2018, Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI Dallas) awarded more than $60,000 in fashion and merchandising scholarships to outstanding college and university students from across North Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma at its annual FGI Dallas Scholarship Competition Awards. The event took place in The Grand Pavilion of The Trade Mart of Dallas Market Center.

Photo: Thomas Gara (From left: Steve Kemble, Erin Wasson and Rhonda Sargent Chambers)

Headlining the event this year was international fashion model, sought-after influencer, and Dallas native, Erin Wasson, who shared her journey from being the first Kim Dawson Model Search winner to her glamorous career walking the runways of fashion’s most prestigious designers, and gracing the covers of magazines from Vogue to Esquire.

This year the theme being “The Future of Fashion”, the event paid homage to the next generation of fashion designers, which FGI Dallas supports with its annual scholarship competition.  “We are thrilled to continue this tradition, and are celebrating our 50th year, giving scholarships to the area’s most outstanding fashion and merchandising students,” commented Rhonda Sargent Chambers, chair of this year’s event.

After a  Q&A with Erin Wasson, Emcee Steve Kemble introduced the fashion experts panel for a Q&A led by Oh So Cynthia’s Cynthia Smoot to discuss where fashion is now, but more importantly where it is headed.

Photo: Thomas Garza (From left, Cynthia Smoot, moderator; panelists Alex Small, Holly Quartaro and Khanh Nguyen)

After an enlightening and informative panel discussion, Cynthia Smoot aptly closes the expert panel discussion with “I am happy to say that the future of fashion looks very bright.”

The event featured 155 submitted pieces of work from 13 schools. From these schools, designers presented apparel and accessories designs, as well as digital merchandise creative content.  The 13 schools that participated were The Art Institute of Dallas, El Centro College, Houston Community College, Tarrant County College, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman’s University, Wade College, University of Alabama, University of North Texas, University of Texas, Oklahoma State University, Mississippi State, and Texas Christian University, and Wade College.

60 garments in 6 scenes were presented from the nominated students from the 13 participating institutions.

 Hair and makeup for the fashion show was graciously donated by Toni & Guy.

Photo: Thomas Garza (FGI Dallas Board member, Jason Stanford, right, facilitating the Celebrity Judges’ Panel Q&A with award-winning students.)

AWARDS:

Little Black Dress Runway Challenge – Sponsored by Dallas Market Center

Moyosore Lamilisa – 3rd place $500 Houston Community College

Diana Alimkhanova – 2nd place $1000 Houston Community College

Jing Cao – 1st place $2500 Houston Community College

Women’s Sportswear – Sponsored by Sharon Young, Inc.

Courtlyn Lishka – 3rd Place $500 University of North Texas

Kyle Hermesch –  2nd place $1000 El Centro College

David Valdez –  1st place $2500 Houston Community College

Menswear – Sponsored by The Fashion Group Foundation of Dallas

Bridget Fizer – 3rd place $500 Houston Community College

Michael Nguyen –  2nd place $1000 University of North Texas

Marina Girgis – 1st place $2500 University of North Texas

Bridal and evening gowns – Sponsored by Tootsie’s

Ebonie Sophus – 3rd place $500 Houston Community College

Mindy Liao Chan – 2nd place $1000 Houston Community College

R’bonney Gabriel – 1st place $2500 University of North Texas

Accessories – Hats – Sponsored by Fossil Group

Nghi Nguyen – 1st place $1000 Houston Community College

Accessories – Handbags – Sponsored by Fossil Group

Bridget Fizer – 1st place $1000 Houston Community College

This year’s celebrity judges included:

Jeanette Chivvis, Heidi Dillon, Abi Ferrin, Patti Flowers, Leah Frazier, Kim Olusanya, Johnathan Hayden, Marisa Howard, Willie Johnson, Daniel Mofor, and Andrea Reich.

Digital Store Planning and Design Category – Sponsored by Davaco

Paulina Seng – 3rd place $500 Houston Community College

Tania Hernandez – 2nd place $1000 Texas Woman’s University

Annaka King – 1st place $2500 El Centro College

Digital Fashion and Merchandising Portfolio – Sponsored by Davaco

Paradise Wilson – 3rd place $500 El Centro College

Annie Vanderburg – 2nd place $1000 Oklahoma State University

Edna Palacio – 1st place $2500 El Centro College

Nha Khanh Apprenticeship Award Presentation

Daiane Bierhalz Elert – Houston Community College

Overall Excellence Awards Presentation Celebrity Judges’ Choice Award

R’Bonney Gabriel – University of North Texas

Best of Sewing Award – Sponsored by City Sewing Machine, LLC

Asia Montague –  Single Needle Juki DDL-5550 with table motor & stand University of North Texas

Directors Choice Award

Hugo Perez – $2500 Houston Community College

Fashion Excellence Award Winner Receiving $10,000 – The Finalists:

Mindy Liao Chan – 3rd Place Winner, $1000 Award – Houston Community College

Jing Cao – 2nd Place Winner, $2500 – Award Houston Community College

 Hugo Perez – 1st Place Winner, $10,000 Award – Houston Community College

Paris America Academy Couture Award Presented by Mary Ruppert-Stroescu

Winner, Asia Montague, University of North Texas

 The Finalisst:

David Valdez –  Houston Community College

 Ebonie Sophus – Houston Community College

Asia Montague – University of North Texas

R’Bonney Gabriel – University of North Texas

Britt Harless Z, Rhonda Sargent Chambers

The event was closed by FGI Dallas Regional Director Elect Britt Harless Z and fellow FGI board member Rhonda Sargent Chambers congratulating and thanking the participants and telling them about the hard work FGI puts into the event.  “The Scholarship Competition is a huge part of what FGI is all about, and why we all here at FGI Dallas work so tirelessly to raise funds throughout the year-it is to give back to you, the fashion students-some of whom this competition has changed your lives in amazing, life altering ways. You are the future. Even if you are challenging yourself to rise higher in your individual goals, you are still making a big difference collectively in the world — you are all winners today!”