Alishan Halebian, owner of Alishan, Irvine, Calif., has been named the Contemporary Design Group’s Designer of the Year. The announcement was made during the group’s eighth annual Designers Gala and High Achievement Awards held during The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas.

The group also honored Panache of Mendocino, Calif., owned by Susan Cimmiyoti, as Best Design Retailer. Best Designer Supplier honoree was Otto Frei of Otto Frei and Jules Borel Co., Oakland, Calif. Named as Best Designer Advocate was Wendy Rosen, founder and president of The Rosen Group, a Baltimore-based arts marketing and publishing agency.