LOS ANGELES, Jan 26, 2006/ FW/ --- In an unprecedented 9 year history of the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award given to emerging designers, a tie was announced with Ruffian and Phillip Lim winning this year’s Rising Star Award for Women’s Apparel.

An FGI representative confirmed that the number of votes for the two winners was “exactly even” and that another crystal rising star had to be ordered at the last minute.

With Derek Lam presenting, Brian Wolk and Claude Morais of RUFFIAN and Phillip Lim accepted the award for Women’s Apparel during the FGI luncheon today in New York.

Commenting on the ‘tie’ award with Philip Lim, Brian Wolk of Ruffian told reporters, “We congratulate Phillip and are pleased to share this honor with him.”

Accepting the award, Mr. Wolk thanked, as a group, all the people who work behind the scenes in their studio and the members of FGI for their support.

“We really appreciate all the hard work of the many others who help to bring our designs to life”, he added.

Ruffian is a label co-designed by Brian Wolk and Claude Morais, with a ‘vision of an elegant woman.’ Fashion for them is simply not one's clothes, it is the mood one inspires, the conversation one stimulates, and the style an individual creates when they present themselves. They preview their latest collections during the New York season.