Catching Up With the Fashion Industries Guild's Man of the Year
On Oct. 6, the Fashion Industries Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center will honor George Rudes, FIG’s 2007 “Man of the Year,” at their annual fund-raising gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Rudes, a denim veteran and executive at Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, will lead FIG’s efforts to raise funds for the Pediatric Acute Care Unit at Cedars-Sinai. The Guild, which is made of local apparel-industry professionals working to raise funds to benefit Cedars- Sinai, has raised $20 million since 1956. Former “Man of the Year” award recipients include current FIG President Kenny Weinbaum, Hot Kiss founder Moshe Tsabag, California Fashion Association head Ilse Metchek, and Karen and Lonnie Kane of Karen Kane.
Recently, California Apparel News’ Manufacturing Editor Erin Barajas caught up with Rudes to discuss the FIG, causes close to his heart and what’s next for Not Your Daughter’s Jeans.
How does it feel to be honored as the Fashion Industries Guild’s “Man of the Year”?
It is humbling to be included in the group of people who’ve received the award before.There are a lot of really great guys in that list—true leaders in the industry.
How did you first become involved with the Fashion Industries Guild?
They approached me, and I have a soft spot for children’s causes.
Have you toured the Cedars-Sinai facility?
I haven’t gone [to Cedars-Sinai] except as a patient or visiting someone. I don’t feel I need to tour the Pediatric Unit. It isn’t pleasant to see sick children, but I know what they do and how hard they work and I want to support them as much as I can.
What are some of the causes that speak to you personally?
I come from a very charitable family. I became involved very early on with AIDS Project Los Angeles and was “Man of the Year” for that organization.I continually support City of Hope. Cancer, breast cancer, AIDS and children’s causes are generally what I care about. I was on the board of directors of a synagogue in Puerto Rico. Now, I want peace in the world, and I want our troops out of Iraq. I want people to recognize that there are 48 million people in the country who don’t have health insurance— many of them children.
Have you involved your family or employees in your charitable work?
My family is very charitable; my wife has been involved in charitable work as well. But for this [FIG fund-raising] they helped in the beginning stages. I’m doing a lot of it on my own.
What do you tell your friends and colleagues when you call them for support?
I tell them to help out the cause, make them aware of the care [Cedars-Sinai] gives.I’ll probably call in some old favors. People are always glad to help.
Not Your Daughter’s Jeans is enjoying much success. What’s up next for the brand?
We’re launching Not Your Daughter’s Clothing, an entire line of clothing with a fit concept that is designed to make you feel and look your best. We’ll also be doing men’s apparel shortly. Our international business is growing. As of later this month, we’ll have 13 distributors around the world, including Australia, South Africa, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada and Scandinavia.
For ticket information for the Oct. 6 gala, call Shonya Stein at (310) 860-7560.
