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Beauty Entrepreneur Winner Cathy Gins with Jane Lauder Beauty Entrepreneur Winner
Cathy Gins with Jane Lauder

The Big Launch Lunch


Fashion Group International's hosts The 12th Annual Rising Star Awards luncheon at the Rainbow Room
Friday, January 30, 2009

(NEW YORK) Phillip Lim had more than one reason to be jittery at the Fashion Group International's 12th Annual Rising Star Awards luncheon at the Rainbow Room. First, Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki sat just few feet away at his table. "Now this is a sign!" he excitedly said. "My show was loosely based on her, so what are the odds that she'd be sitting across from me in Rockefeller Center?" Then there was a daunting public speaking task, for the Women's Apparel award presentation. "It can get a bit terrifying," Lim smiled, barely touching his food until his turn on stage. "But perhaps nothing can top the night of my CFDA win. I had to follow Oprah out, of all people!"

When Lim opened the envelope, Christian Cota turned out to be the elated winner in a crowded category that boasted seven nominees. "This is kind of amazing," Cota said after the ceremony while looking at his glass prize. "Now I'll put this trophy in front of my entire team and all the seamstresses so we can have something to look at during the late, hard nights." It was, in fact, an amazing day for Hispanic designers. Peruvian Carlos Campos and Sergio Davilla (who's about to open up his first store in his native Honduras) tied in the Men's apparel category, while three sisters Claudia, Laura, and Alejandra Laviada of Mexico triumphed in the Accessory group. "I didn't expect to win!" said an elated Campos. "Look at my outfit; I'm a total mishmash."

Other winners included The Dressing Room Boutique & Bar for Retail, Wayne Ludlum of Vestalife for Home Design, Ariane Zurcher for Fine Jewelry, Julie Birns of Prescriptives for Corporate Beauty, and Cathy Gins of Aromawear LLC for Beauty Entrepreneurship. However, in the lunch room that included Marylou Luther, Nina Garcia, Jane Lauder and Linda Fargo, it was Jason Wu who was inarguably the most sought-after guest. The last year's Women's Apparel victor was bombarded by lawyers' business cards and flashbulbs during the cocktail hour, and received as much applause as most of this year's winners.

But it was Phylicia Rashad who made the most welcome cameo of the day, saying how inspired she was to discuss her own style while surrounded by a room full of young talent. "I like things that are ethnic, because they really reflect on one's character and personality," she offered. "I love feeling comfortable in my fabric and I feel like women in India, Japan, and Middle East have really mastered this way of life and style." But where would she like to travel out of those exotic locales? "Actually, I'd love to take a trip to Oman!" she quickly decided.
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