The Fashion Group International (FGI) of Dallas recently honored acclaimed designer Joseph Altuzarra and renowned jeweler Roberto Coin during its annual Night of Stars gala. The event, held to celebrate leaders in fashion and design, featured Corey Damen Jenkins, a prominent interior designer from New York, as one of the honorees. Altuzarra expressed his excitement for the event, stating, “I am so thrilled. I’ve had a long relationship with FGI, and I have a lot of fondness for the team. Obviously, raising funds for scholarships is so needed, and it’s great that they do it.”
While Altuzarra attended in person, Coin was unable to travel from Italy due to recovery from a recent medical procedure. Peter Webster, president of Coin’s company, confirmed the situation, noting the surgery was non-invasive and not life-threatening. He accepted the award on Coin’s behalf from Lori Greiner, a well-known panelist from “Shark Tank” and a friend of both Coin and Webster. Greiner praised Coin’s work, stating, “At the heart of Roberto’s timeless Italian classics lies the perfect blend of creativity, quality, and innovation.”
The evening also recognized Jenkins for his contributions to interior design. Mallis, a representative at the event, highlighted Altuzarra’s unique approach to fashion, saying, “Since launching his eponymous label in 2008, Joseph has crafted a vision of fashion that is both fiercely modern and deeply rooted in tradition.” He noted that Altuzarra’s designs blend the precision of French tailoring with the ease of American sportswear.
Despite facing challenges earlier this year, including the bankruptcy of minority investor CaaStle and legal issues surrounding its founder, Altuzarra reported that business remains strong. He noted that dresses and knitwear are driving sales. Additionally, the designer recently opened a new boutique in Houston’s River Oaks District, taking over a space previously occupied by Van Cleef & Arpels, which has since relocated to a larger venue.
In discussing future expansion plans, Altuzarra mentioned, “The plan is to open more retail locations,” indicating a cautious approach to growth by testing markets with temporary shops. He expressed interest in exploring a permanent location in Dallas, considering areas like Highland Park for potential storefronts.
During their two-day visit to Dallas, Altuzarra and his team hosted a trunk show at Stanley Korshak and visited various vintage and western stores. Altuzarra shared his enthusiasm for vintage shopping, saying, “What I love about it is it feels both curated with a point of view, but they also have a lot of weird, quirky things.” His exploration of local shops included a pair of short zip cowboy boots from Tecovas and unique finds from the popular vintage store, Dolly Python.
The Night of Stars event not only celebrated the achievements of notable figures in fashion but also emphasized the importance of community support in fostering new talent through scholarship funding.
