FGI VOICES 2024

FGI Voices – Charlii Sebunya

Award Winning On-Camera Journalist / Executive Producer / Director (& even, a Certified Trained Award Winning Chef. Jamie Oliver was a year above him at the prestigious, elitist: University of Westminster, where Gordon Ramsay was both of their Lecture’s… with Charlii Sebunya subsequently, continually appearing on The Food Network & more globally, as well as being signed to WarnerBros./EastWest France & reaching the Top10 on the influential UK/Euro. Radio Charts)… is at the very core of ADDY.media’s dynamic success, with Executive Producer Adriana Kaegi breaking new ground by live streaming New York Fashion Week from Bryant Park to CNN & Elle.com between 1998 & 2001 & more …. ADDY.media is continually setting new benchmarks in content creation, reaching millions of viewers, with their compelling EXCLUSIVE content Distributed & Licensed WORLDWIDE …..

FGI Voices – Talya Bendel

Talya Bendel is a 3x New York Times best dressed designer, film, editorial and event wardrobe stylist. Having recently launched her namesake brand with her partner Esty Haas the Talya Bendel – Haas Bridal collection was welcomed with rave reviews thanks to a Women’s Wear Daily debut feature and a massive show during NYBW at the Woolworth building in NYC. Talya has been working in the fashion industry for 15 years and has worked for Christian Siriano, designed for Louis Miranda styled Titus Burgess and worked with Netflix, Warner Brothers, ROC Nation, Paramount and even the Teletubbies, among others. Last year Talya worked on the Uzi Vert much anticipated Pink Tape album trailer. Talya has been featured in Elle France, Women’s Wear Daily, Refinery 29 and has been quoted in Brides Magazine and The Daily Beast among others. You can currently see Talya’s work on the west side highway on a billboard for Columbia NYPB. Recently Talya her partner Esty Haas and the Talya Bendel – Haas Bridal brand was nominated for an FGI Rising Star award in the evening wear category. This is just the beginning.

FGI Voices – Shy Dayan

The Style That Binds Us is on a mission to advance women. We give presentations where we discuss “The Transformational Power of Style – Unlock Your Potential Through Your Wardrobe and Visual Brand”. We also offer digital styling courses where we cover body types, color analysis, style for female executives, visual/personal branding, closet edits, capsule wardrobes, how to break into the fashion industry and SO MUCH MORE!

FGI Voices – Alison Bruhn & Delia Folk

The Style That Binds Us is on a mission to advance women. We give presentations where we discuss “The Transformational Power of Style – Unlock Your Potential Through Your Wardrobe and Visual Brand”. We also offer digital styling courses where we cover body types, color analysis, style for female executives, visual/personal branding, closet edits, capsule wardrobes, how to break into the fashion industry and SO MUCH MORE!

FGI Voices – Anthony Williams

In the ever-evolving world of luxury fashion, there exists a brand that not only encapsulates timeless elegance but also pioneers’ innovation and inclusivity. Rossario George, under the visionary leadership of founder and designer, Tony Vincente, has emerged as a beacon of sophistication, setting new standards for the industry.

FGI Voices – Melizza Juane Tanpoco

Melizza Jaune Tanpoco is the Head of Jaune Pearls, an emerging fine jewelry brand gaining recognition for its dedication to sustainable luxury and the modern craftsmanship of Tahitian pearls. Jaune Pearls has been featured at events like LA Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week and has garnered industry recognition as a fine jewelry finalist at the 2023 and 2024 Fashion Group International Rising Star Awards in New York City. The brand’s achievements and commitment to sustainability have been highlighted in publications such as Gemological Institute Of America’s Alumni Collective, The Daily Front Row, Forbes and Women’s Wear Daily (WWD).

FGI Voices – Sarah Mirsini

Sarah Mirsini is a certified holistic wellness coach, natural product formulator, and the founder of MĀSK Skincare. As an adult, Sarah embarked on a years-long journey to improve her health and sought healing through integrative medicine. In 2018, she became certified in medical marijuana licensing. Today, Sarah’s comprehensive knowledge of cannabinoids and other non-toxic plant ingredients is evident in every natural formula she creates for MĀSK Skincare.

FGI Voices – Christos Dovas

Growing up in Patras, Greece, Christos Dovas was destined for a life in fashion. As the son of a master shoe designer, he spent his childhood apprenticing to his father, learning the intricacies of creating exquisite footwear (specializing in Evening Shoes.) “I know who made Cinderella’s tiny pair of red velvet, pearl-encrusted, high-heeled mules: My father! I know because I was next to him all my life, apprenticing with him,” Christos Dovas reminisces. He recalls every detail of the craftsmanship: cutting the lace, placing it with the silver lining, and shaping it over the wooden form, all by hand. “I saw him making the fire for the engraved iron frame and when hot to put it over the golden tape and push it down on the leather for his signature to show. I was the one to deliver and to get the tip! And now, I am here! School after school, idea upon idea, and sweat upon sweat toiling for my passion to become real.”

FGI Voices – Cyril Verdavainne

Cyril de Malherbe-Verdavainne established himself as a distinct voice in American fashion when he launched his label, VERDAVAINNE, in 2018. After 15 years as the right hand to renowned American designer Carmen Marc Valvo, and with early training at the fashion houses of Pierre Balmain and Thierry Mugler, Cyril has brought his blend of Parisian heritage and modern elegance to life in a sophisticated women’s eveningwear collection.

FGI Voices – Jamie Lewin

Jamie Lewin is a fashion designer with over twenty five years of experience in design and creative direction. Upon graduating from FIT, she started out as an assistant and worked her way up gaining respect for her hard work, creativity, and business acumen. Most recently she was the Senior Global Design Director leading the women’s design team at Gap. Previously she held design positions at J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, Armani Collezioni, Piperlime and sustainable brand Outerknown. She has traveled all over the world for inspiration, design development and production, and has had the unique experience of collaborating with celebrities and influencers to create new and exciting collections. Currently she is consulting for a number of large brands providing creative direction, trend forecasting, design work and helping their businesses gain market share.

FGI Voices – Rob Bacon

Rob Bacon is an award winning fashion and accessories designer. His signature avant garde designs have been seen in publications such as The New York Times, Vogue UK, Elle China and Taiwan, Marie Claire Italia and Taiwan, Lapalme, BET-UK, OUT, WWD, MR, Playbill, Yahoo, Instinct, People, Style Watch and Details. He has been featured on Bravo and CNN, and shown on runways in London and New York, and even collaborated on the finale of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week’s Fall 2015 season.

FGI VOICES 2023

FGI Voices – Chris Donovan

I became a shoe designer at the age of 55 after spending most of my career as a telephone repairman. Feeling unfulfilled with the current career, I decided to chase my lifelong passion of shoe design. With no design background, other than my sketches made throughout my life, I left my job and entered the Masters in Footwear program at Polimoda Fashion Institute in Florence, Italy. The program was able to help me retain my unique voice and bring it to a much higher level of sophistication. I opened the final graduation show with my collection and subsequently showed some of my designs at Dutch Design Week.

FGI Voices – Christian Juul Nielsen

AKNVAS was founded in 2019 by Danish designer Christian Juul Nielsen. This advanced contemporary brand focuses on thoughtful, well-designed and innovative clothing for discerning and dynamic women and men. Clients can expect luxury level products designed to move seamlessly from day to evening, with a focus on drape, flattering silhouettes, innovative knits and an elevated palette. Drawing from Nielsen’s previous roles at Dior and Oscar de la Renta, the brand incorporates design techniques from his time designing couture gowns with each garment crafted with a similar attention to detail. Since launching the brand, it has quickly become a favorite of celebrities including Issa Rae, Nick Jonas, Mary J Blige, Kerry Washington, Kate Bosworth, Sabrina Carpenter, and Emilia Clarke.

FGI Voices – Manuel Tiscareno

Manuel Tiscareno is a Mexican American designer, aged 34, based in New York City. With an international reputation, Tiscareno has become a sought-after name in the world of Luxury Bridal. His exquisite designs have graced the pages of renowned publications such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Harpers Bazaar and Glamour

FGI Voices – Rowell Concepcion

Rowell Concepcion is a Filipino American milliner who launched his brand, Binata Millinery, in August 2020. Binata Millinery is a hat label focused on old world craftsmanship to help the fashion forward turn their daily outfits into head turners. Rowell studied millinery and fashion merchandising at The Fashion Institute of Technology and previously worked at Balenciaga and Alexander Wang. He is inspired by all things playful, quirky, and whimsical. His clients range from Lady Gaga to Janelle Monae. Rowell’s mission is to teach and train artisans the craft in his parent’s home provinces in The Philippines.

FGI Voices – Stephen Mikhail

A British-American, Stephen Mikhail spent his life split between both countries. From a young age, he could be found painting and drawing opulent scenes and portraits of historical figures. When he wasn’t playing explorer outdoors, he would always have a pencil or oil pastels in hand.

FGI Voices – Julie Lamb

New York native Julie Lamb creates concept rich fine jewelry collections and bespoke pieces that are ‘Different By Design’. Lamb operates out of NYC’s iconic Diamond District, where she has been working since college on break from Syracuse University’s Metalsmithing program. Lamb designed jewelry for companies large and small before launching her eponymous line in late 2015. Lamb is an FGI Rising Star recipient and is known for her playful motifs, city inspired collections and outside the jewelry box marketing style.