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Amber Kolinofsky Tammy Cotton Hartnett Muffin Lemak Annika Cail THE STARS ALIGN AT FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL The annual Night of Stars gala glitters with Zac Posen, Linda Gray and Emma Bell. "I LOVE A STAR-STUDDED EVENING. I LOVE A RED-CARPET MOMENT. FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL PULLED OUT ALL THE STOPS AND ALL THE STARS FOR A FANTASTIC AND FUN EVENING HONORING SOME OF MY ABSOLUTELY MOST FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD." "RECEIVING THE AWARD FROM MY GOOD FRIEND KEN DOWNING WAS A VERY SPECIAL MOMENT FOR ME. WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR MANY YEARS, AND HE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL THROUGHOUT MY TIME IN FASHION." — Zac Posen — Ken Downing S tars packed Fashion Industry Gallery for a sizzling soirée, when Fashion Group International of Dallas hosted its annual Night of Stars gala and toasted the nonprofit's 65-year milestone. The stars were out, with a guest list that exceeded expectations and a roster of celebs that included internationally celebrated American designer Zac Posen, as well as actresses Linda Gray and Emma Bell, who reunited on stage after their extensive work together on the hit show Dallas. The sparkling crowd filled the space with shear excitement — an air-kiss here, a champagne toast there. The energy could be felt throughout the room, which was bedecked with brilliant pops of color via Posh Floral's elegant centerpieces of purple hydrangeas and hot-pink roses. As guests took their seats, Posen-clad chairman Katy Messersmith Mattox greeted guests alongside Chuck Steelman, regional director for F.G.I. Dallas. After feasting on butternut squash soup, grilled filet and a little bubbly from catering superstar Food Glorious Food, it was time for an exclusive runway show, compliments of Mr. Posen himself. Rocking fancy frocks from a special collection he created just for the momentous occasion, models in full skirts and magnificent gowns glided down the runway, leaving the audience abuzz. Once the catwalk concluded, it was time for the awards presentation. Mistress of ceremonies Emma Bell greeted each presenter as they bestowed the honors: Ken Downing of Neiman Marcus fame saluted Zac Posen with Career Achievement in Fashion; Lisa Dawson was presented the Career Achievement in Business award by her talented client and model, Chandra North; Cindy Rachofsky honored her dear friend Todd Fiscus with Career Achievement in Event Design; and Nancy C. Rogers (rocking a silver Zac Posen gown) was named Art Patron of the Year by Dallas Contemporary's Peter Doroshenko. Always one to enlist the crowd, WFAA anchor Ron Corning stepped up to the podium to introduce this year's Lifetime Achievement award recipient: actress Linda Gray. Before calling her up to the stage, a video played for the audience, highlighting a montage of Gray's greatest roles. Once her character Sue Ellen had slapped JR a few times on screen, the crowd raucously applauded. "Aren't you just exhausted after that video!" shouted Gray, who then thanked Dallas devotees as well as F.G.I. for praising her with such a high honor. Steelman recounts, "It was magical to see the annual Night of Stars evolve into the Night of Super Stars." Having helped launch the careers of designers such as Levi Palmer of Palmer Harding, Khanh Nguyen of Nha Khanh and Elizabeth Anyaa, F.G.I. of Dallas prides itself on bolstering the careers of local talent. With proceeds from the annual gala geared towards funding F.G.I.'s foundation scholarships, the stars will continue to shine in Dallas. Fashionable notes: Jeff Byron, Brent Rogers, Scott Kehn, John Terlingo, Victoria Snee, Carinthia Kishaba, Meredith Hite, Britt Harless, Jennifer de Socarraz Fleming, Sarah Blacketer, Rachael Cates, Julie Hogg, Robert Hernandez, Megan Ruth Bowdon, Shelle & Michael Sills, football star Michael Sam, and dapper Michael Faircloth. BY JANE ROZELLE. PHOTOGRAPHY RHIANNON LEE, DOC STRANGE, RACHAEL WISE. JANUARY | PAGE 10 | 2015 Brittanie Buchanan Oleniczak Charles Smith II Chair Katy Messersmith Mattox Zac Posen Ken Downing Amy Power Renée Rouleau Elizabeth Anyaa Zac Posen gown Zac Posen's Special Collection Max Trowbridge Shelly Rosenberg Joshua Vernon Chelsea Brogdon Diamond Mahone Amanda Reed Todd Fiscus Lisa Dawson Heidi Dillon Brian Bolke Pamela Martin Duarte Linda Gray Emma Bell Robyn Trowbridge David Trowbridge Marc Mattox Justin Oleniczak Ekaterina Kouznetsova Chuck Steelman Nancy C. Rogers Khanh Nguyen Loi Dang Chandra North Troy Nankin John Kolinofsky