Exclusive: Martha Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg Talk Fashion, Leadership & Comfortable Shoes at FGI’s 2023 Night of Stars
Fashion Group International (FGI) brought fashionable glitz to Manhattan for its annual Night of Stars gala.
The 2023 occasion, featuring a “Leaders and Legends” theme, honored stars including Andrew Bolton, Dennis Basso, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez at the Plaza Hotel. The event had many attendees sharing memories with the evening’s honorees — including FN’s June cover star Martha Stewart, who presented Basso with his Lifetime Achievement Award.
“It’s tonight,” Stewart exclusively told FN, discussing her favorite moment in Basso’s designs. “I’ve never had a sparkly suit by Dennis Basso before.”
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The night also found many reflecting on the importance of leadership, given the gala’s theme — including Whoopi Goldberg, who was honored with the ceremony’s American Icon award.
“Well, you have to have humor,” Goldberg exclusively told FN. “A leader should have a lot of humor and a lot of empathy.”
Goldberg also chatted about her love for comfort-focused shoes, which include Crocs clogs, sneakers and chunky sandals. The “View” co-host slipped on a pair of black Melissa fisherman sandals over socks for the occasion, making a cozy statement while hitting the red carpet.
“For me, it’s all about, ‘Am I comfortable?'” Goldberg shared. “If I’m comfortable, then life is good. If I’m uncomfortable, your life’s going to be tough.”
Fashion Group International (FGI)’s Night of Stars honors leaders and talents in the fashion, beauty and humanitarian fields. For 2023, the ceremony’s honorees included Marc Anthony, Andrew Bolton, Whoopi Goldberg, Dennis Basso, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. The occasion also featured a starry range of presenters, including Eva Chen, Martha Stewart and Narcisco Rodriguez.
About the Author:
Aaron Royce is the Digital Editor for Footwear News, where he writes stories on trending news, celebrity style, collaborations and in-depth profile interviews. Prior to joining Footwear News, Aaron wrote and interned for publications including PAPER, Grazia and the Daily Front Row. He currently holds a B.S. in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.
