About FGI

HONORING OUR HISTORY WHILE WE BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE

OUR HISTORY

It all began in 1928 when 17 women, gathered by Edna Woolman Chase, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, met for lunch in a modest midtown New York restaurant.

They had three things in common: Each held a job of consequence in the business of fashion, each held all the others in high regard and together they held a belief that fashion needed a forum, a stage, or a force to express and enhance a widening awareness of the American fashion business and of women’s roles in that business.

The Fashion Group®, conceived at an informal luncheon in 1928 became an organization in 1930, with a place, a purpose, by-laws, officers and women eager to be members.

Their first office space was donated by Louis Fairchild in his Women’s Wear Daily building on East 12th Street. The second office space was at 572 Madison Avenue, donated by Harper’s Bazaar. Then in 1934, from the minutes of the Board meeting of October 18: Discussion as to how to meet the rent of the contemplated space in 30 Rockefeller Center included a Fashion Group party using talent within the membership lampooning fashion, to be known as The Fashion Follies™.Today, The Fashion Group® offers membership to both men and women.

Some of those Founding and Charter members were:

Elizabeth Arden
Margaret Case
Eleanor Roosevelt
Helena Rubinstein
Julia Coburn
Lilly Dache
Jessica Daves
Nan Duskin
Edith Head
Eleanor LeMaire
Claire McCardell
Clare Potter
Virginia Pope
Dorothy Shaver
Adele Simpson
Carmel Snow
Miss Tobé

ABOUT FGI

THE FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL IS A GLOBAL, NON-PROFIT, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH 5000 MEMBERS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY INCLUDING APPAREL, ACCESSORIES, BEAUTY AND HOME.

FGI Mission Statement

The FGI mission is to provide our member network with a forum for discussion and connection across all sectors through programming focused on the industry’s most current and crucial topics, recognition of emerging talent and trends at the zeitgeist of innovation. To open access to industry leaders by offering a platform of resources for business development and career advancement at all levels. We believe that providing a forum for professional development and career advancement unleashes creativity, innovation and advances the business of fashion.

Goals of The Organization

To advance professionalism in fashion and its related lifestyle industries.

To provide a public forum for examination of important, contemporary issues in the business of fashion.

To present timely information regarding national and global trends that have an effect on the fashion industries.

To attain greater recognition of men’s and women’s achievements in business.

To encourage men and women to seek career opportunities in fashion and related industries.

To provide activities and programs which enhance networking skills and encourage interpersonal contacts so as to further the professional, social and personal development of members.

The Fashion Group Foundation

The mission of the Foundation is:

To promote educational programs devoted to fashion and to the study of fashion related businesses through the creation and awarding of scholarships; establishment of internship programs; provision of career counseling services.

Organization and sponsorship of seminars and other educational activities on a national and worldwide basis.

To sponsor public service activities in which the fashion industry works, to serve relevant community needs and concerns and to stimulate and encourage membership and industry participation in such public service activities.