Yesterday the fashion elite trudged through the snow, changed out of their snow boots and slipped into their four-inch heels, to attend the Fashion Group International’s 14th annual Rising Star Awards at Cipriani’s in midtown.

While Fashion Group International’s (FGI) annual celeb-saturated “Night of Stars” event tends to grab more column inches and flashbulbs, host Jamie Pallot, Condé Nast Digital’s editorial director, stressed the importance of “Rising Stars” for recognizing emerging talent that needs the exposure more than the established design stars feted on “Night of Stars.” But Norma Kamali, who gave the opening remarks, questioned stardom. “What happens if you don’t become a star?” she asked. “I never wanted to be a star…I’m just my own little constellation doing my thing and I love it a lot.”

Whether yesterday’s winners will become “stars” remains to be seen. But what is clear is that the winners and all the nominees in categories ranging from fine jewelry to interior design to men’s and women’s apparel are talented folks whose careers will hopefully benefit from their nods from FGI. The stars came in the way of presenters–Lauren Bush, Linda Fargo and Catherine Malandrino were all on hand to doll out awards.

So who took home a Rising Star award?

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