DALLAS WINNERS: Perseverance was the evening’s theme on the twenty seventh annual Rising Star Awards presented by Fashion Group International of Dallas on Wednesday evening at Galleria Dallas.

All five winners, who were chosen through a poll of the chapter’s members, faced the added stress of starting their businesses shortly before or in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a challenge, but here we’re — we made it through,” said Elizabeth Hooper, whose abstract brass jewelry plated in silver and gold won the Accessories award. “Being an entrepreneur is tough, but if you happen to like it, it’s definitely price it.”

Tajikistan native Munisa Khuramova clinched the Fashion Design prize for Munelle de Vie, her brand of bias-cut dresses and separates made from silk charmeuse and other natural textiles.

“I’m from a rustic where basic human rights are denied,” she said, adding that fashion “helps women connect with our higher selves.”

The prize for Retail went to Stephen Swetish because the creator of M.K.T., which displays rotating groups of Texas fashion, accessories, home furnishings and food items in 6,000 square feet at West Village in Dallas.

Makeup artist Tina Adams-Mason of About Face Pros won the Beauty category and Dexter James won the inaugural Fashion Styling award.

“This is really a celebration of local talent,” said Nerissa Von Helpenstill, regional director of FGI Dallas and director of sales experience of Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Center.

FGI Dallas plans to honor Christian Siriano, Nina Garcia and others at its Night of Stars gala on Nov. 10. Proceeds profit scholarships for fashion design and merchandising students.