HISTORY OF FGI PHILADELPHIA
Internationally renowned retailer Nan Duskin Lincoln was a driving force in organizing Fashion Group International Philadelphia in 1938. From 1957 to 1983, FGI Philadelphia hosted the prestigious Crystal Ball. The bi-annual gala included live fashion shows from American designers, world famous honorees, live bands, dinner, dancing, and a who’s-who amongst the guests. The glamorous event was in partnership with the Art Museum of Philadelphia, which helped to fund the museum’s fashion wing. It was curated with hundreds of items dating back to the 15th century including costumes, textiles, laces, jewels, and accessories from around the world.
Since then, we have evolved into a global fashion community, providing resources and education for career advancement while creating a forum for discussion and connection across all industries such as beauty, retail, textiles, designers, publishers, marketers, digitally native brands, content creators and more.
Upcoming Events:
Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia, 1113 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Join us for a VIEWING PARTY of the 8th Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show NYC featuring top American designers and FGI Rising Stars with celebs, media personalities, models and more walking the runway, to spotlight awareness & benefit prostate cancer research for Zero Prostate Cancer.
Founded by fashion designer Frederick Anderson and marketer Laura Miller, the annual event unites the worlds of fashion, entertainment, sports, healthcare, and media to openly discuss prostate cancer, with an emphasis on racial disparities and underserved communities.
PLUS, here in Philly, Fashion Presentation of Local Designers with Kevin Parker & Kerry Scott of Philly Fashion Week!
Come dressed in your favorite blue jacket or blue jacket-inspired look!
Previous Events:
Thursday, January 11, 2024: 6:00-7:30pm ET
Rittenhouse Grill, 1701 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Join us for our annual meeting on Thursday, January 11 at Rittenhouse Grill in Center City! A cash bar and light refreshments will be provided.
RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fgi-annual-meeting-tickets-781938468007?aff=oddtdtcreator
Starting his career at I. Magnin in Beverly Hills in the display department, Gregory worked alongside great couture designers such as Norman Norell, Gustave Tassell, James Galanos, Oscar de la Renta, Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, Valentino Garavani, and many others. He learned about their inspirations, the quality of who they had become, and why.
Gregory had the opportunity to meet and work with celebrities of that era such as Loretta Young, Nancy Reagan, Lucille Ball, Rickie Nelson, George Peppard, Pat Boone, and more.
Working his way up over the course of 13 years, Gregory took a position as Vice President/Fashion Director, at I. Magnin in San Francisco, working on product development. He traveled the world working closely with designers such as Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, Kenzo & Claude Montana, Paul Smith, Gerolamo Etro, and many others.
Gregory took the position of Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus and Stanley Marcus sent him to review the Japanese fashion shows to buy two million dollars worth of ready-to-wear from designers such as Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Mitsuhiro Matsuda. In this role, Gregory was responsible for catalog photo shoots, fashion shows, and educating selling staff in all stores.
Gregory’s career continued, taking him to Washington, D.C. with Raleigh’s and Garfinckel’s in various roles. Then, he was hired by Gidding-Jenny as president. He later worked for Sulka & Co. as creative director in NYC, London, Paris, Beverly Hills, and Chicago. He went on to develop the Turnbull & Asser brand for the Fayed family in London.
Before retiring, Gregory took the position of creative director at Paul Stuart in NYC. Even in retirement, Gregory took on a role as designer merchandiser for Neiman Marcus just outside of Philadelphia in their outlet location.
Gregory has worked with Pierce Brosnan on a James Bond film in Malibu, Nancy Reagan (and was asked to leave President Reagan’s Inaugural Ball by the Secret Service!), Senator Ted Kennedy, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, President John F. Kennedy Jr and many more! We cannot wait to welcome our special guest speaker, Gregory DeVaney on Thurs, January 11, and hope you’ll join us for all of the great stories he has to tell!
RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fgi-annual-meeting-tickets-781938468007?aff=oddtdtcreator
FGI Communique Fashion Report S/S ’24 With Special Guest George Brescia
Thursday, November 14, 2023: 6:00-8:30pm ET
Harcum College, Little Theatre, 750 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
View the highlights from the S/S ’24 global fashion collections as style expert George Brescia joins us for a one-on-one conversation with FGI Member/Harcum College Fashion Department Chair Julian Crooks.
Register now to attend Tues, Nov 14 FGI Communique & George Brescia Talk: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fgi-communique-fashion-report-ss-24-with-special-guest-george-brescia-tickets-733596846917?aff=oddtdtcreator
FGI Philadelphia members can RSVP by emailing fgiphilly@gmail.com
George Brescia is a television personality, style expert, and author. He has been seen on QVC, Extra, CBS, NBC, ABC & FOX.
FGI Philadelphia Group Visit To Ann Lowe Exhibition
Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 10am
Winterthur Museum, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735
View the largest exhibition of Ann Lowe’s work to date, featuring 40 iconic gowns, with your FGI Philly friends! Plus, enjoy the beauty of Yuletide at Winterthur, inspired by Ann Lowe: American Couturier.
More about the Exhibition/Designer:
Ann Lowe: American Couturier Exhibition September 9, 2023 – January 7, 2024 at Winterthur Museum, DE
Elizabeth Way, Guest Curator; Associate Curator of the Museum at FIT
Ann Lowe designed couture-quality gowns for America’s most prominent debutantes, heiresses, actresses, and society brides – including Jacqueline Kennedy and many others for decades in the 1900’s, yet she remained virtually unknown to the wider public. Since then, too little recognition has been given to her influence on American fashion.
Don’t miss this opportunity to view the largest exhibition of Ann Lowe’s work to date, featuring 40 iconic gowns, many that have never been on public display. It illuminates her evolution as a designer from the 1920’s to 1960’s. The exhibition also includes contemporary designers who note parallels in their own careers, including B Michael, Tracy Reese, Amsale Aberra, and Bishme Cromartie.
Creative Professionals Speed Networking
Thursday, September 7,, 2023: 5:30-7:30pm ET
Lobo Mau, 700 S. 6th. St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
FGI Philly x Philadelphia Fashion Incubator x Philly Fashion & Garment Industry Task Force invite you to Creative Professionals Networking Night on Thursday, September 7th at 5:30-7:30pm at Lobo Mau Flagship store.
Expand your fashion & creative business connections! Bring your business cards and get your elevator pitch ready!
Special Guest Speaker Jennifer Lynn Robinson, Esq will kick-off the event with networking tips.
Nicole & Jordan Haddad of the local, slow fashion brand, Lobo Mau, will share about their business.
Plus, get to know the organizations hosting the event.
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