FGI Dallas Celebrates Joseph Altuzarra and Roberto Coin at Night of Stars

The Fashion Group International (FGI) Dallas celebrated the achievements of renowned designer Joseph Altuzarra and jewelry icon Roberto Coin during its recent Night of Stars event. The gathering, held in Dallas, recognized individuals who have made significant contributions to the fashion and design industries. Altuzarra, who has a longstanding relationship with FGI, expressed his gratitude before the ceremony, stating, “I am so thrilled. Obviously, raising funds for scholarships is so needed, and it’s great that they do it.”

Although Roberto Coin was honored for his Career Achievement in Jewelry, the 81-year-old designer was unable to attend due to a recent medical procedure. Peter Webster, president of Coin’s company, informed attendees that the surgery was non-invasive and not life-threatening, though it prevented Coin from traveling from Italy. Webster accepted the award on Coin’s behalf from Lori Greiner, a panelist on the television show “Shark Tank” and a friend of both the designer and Webster. Greiner highlighted Coin’s impact on the jewelry industry, noting, “At the heart of Roberto’s timeless Italian classics lies the perfect blend of creativity, quality and innovation.” Coin’s collection features 18-karat gold styles sold at approximately 1,000 points of sale, with around 400 new designs introduced each year, each adorned with a signature ruby.

Another prominent honoree of the evening was Corey Damen Jenkins, a New York interior designer recognized for his career achievements. The event showcased the diverse talents of the honorees, with Mallis, a noted figure in the industry, praising Altuzarra’s unique blend of modern fashion and traditional techniques. “Since launching his eponymous label in 2008, Joseph has crafted a vision of fashion that is both fiercely modern and deeply rooted in tradition,” Mallis remarked.

During the event, Altuzarra shared insights about his recent successes, highlighting a strong year for his brand, particularly in dresses and knitwear. This comes in spite of challenges faced earlier in the year, including the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing by minority investor CaaStle in June and subsequent legal issues involving its founder, Christine Hunsicker.

In a significant move for his brand, Altuzarra opened his first Texas boutique this month in Houston’s River Oaks District, taking over a location previously occupied by Van Cleef & Arpels. He expressed enthusiasm about expanding his retail presence, stating, “The plan is to open more retail locations,” and noted that they are considering testing the Dallas market soon. “We would love to test Dallas,” he added, while evaluating options in Highland Park and other suggested locations.

The designer and his team maximized their two-day visit to Dallas, holding a trunk show for fall and pre-spring collections at Stanley Korshak. They also explored vintage and western stores, where Altuzarra found unique items, including a pair of short zip cowboy boots from Tecovas and various pieces from popular vintage shop Dolly Python. He expressed admiration for the curated selection, stating, “What I love about it is it feels both curated with a point of view but… they also have a lot of weird, quirky things.”

As FGI Dallas continues to honor significant figures in the fashion industry, the Night of Stars event highlighted the importance of creativity, innovation, and tradition in shaping contemporary design.