Rising Stars 2023

Fashion Group International celebrates its first Rising Star Awards 2023 in South Florida - discover the Rising Stars now!

Updated 11:59 pm EDT, October 8, 2023

Published 01:02 am EDT, October 4, 2023

Photo Credits: Flávio Iryoda

The Rising Stars Award

On Saturday, September 30, 2023, Fashion Group International (FGI) of South Florida celebrated its first Rising Star Awards. Above all, the ceremony marked the region’s most promising and creative talents and visionaries in fashion. Finalists were selected from various categories: Accessories, Innovation, Member’s Choice Awards, Ready to Wear, and Swimwear. “FGI is absolutely delighted to host the first-ever Rising Star awards in the South Florida region. Our organization’s rich history has paved the way for incredible talent to shine. Propelling innovation, connectivity, and advancement within the fashion industry,” says Sandra Madjdi, Director of FGI South Florida.

The Fashion Group International of South Florida celebrates its first Rising Stars awards in 2023
The Fashion Group International of South Florida celebrates its first Rising Stars awards in 2023

The Icon Award

Moreover, the Rising Stars celebration also included the Icon Award to Derek Warburton. Undeniably, he is an internationally renowned media and beauty entrepreneur, celebrity stylist, TV personality, philanthropist, creative director, and a captivating storyteller. Derek Michael Warburton, also known as Derek Fabulous, is an American media entrepreneur and a renowned celebrity fashion stylist. His educational journey began at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

During the FGI Rising Stars 2023, Derek Warburton was awarded with the Icon award.
Fashion sensation Derek Warburton received the Icon award 2023

His humble beginnings led to his obsessive need to educate himself in the art of reinvention. Warburton had an unassuming start to a life that would eventually become rich with diversity and accomplishment. His early life as a homeless adolescent shaped his outlook and gave him a strong will to succeed. Following his parents’ divorce, Warburton moved to Florida with his mother. Though Warburton’s mother had a job, she could not afford rent. This episode resulted in Warburton and his mother becoming homeless for eight months. They lived in a tent without electricity, running water, or sanitation. Derek Warburton’s career started in the fashion industry and has now flourished and blossomed into the media industry.

From left to right: Valentina Varnavskaya (Innovation award), Derek Warburton (Icon award), Olga Nikoza (Swimwear award) and Valeria Krasavina (Ready to Wear award)

The Rising Stars of 2023

Associate Editor, Culture

In the era of misinformation, Ava's single objective is to celebrate fashion, emerging talents, diversity, and inclusion. Also, she attempts to open an honest dialogue around the controversial and hypocritical matters that torment groups or nations, discussing facts rather than mere ideologies or idiocracies. Ava is also an avid ice cream connoisseur.

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