The Fashion Gala season officially kicked off last evening when the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) staged its American Image Awards Gala at New York’s iconic Plaza Hotel. Held just a few weeks before the fashion industry’s “Super Bowl”, the Met Gala, the event, benefitting the foundation of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has become the go-to for fashion’s brightest, most accomplished people & companies to be celebrated. With the overarching message of the year being one of “Community” as was mentioned several times during the evening, the fashion community turned out in full force to celebrate he honorees.
Taking to the podium to accept their statuette, designed by iconic design duo Isabel & Ruben Toledo were:
Company of the Year: New Balance Athletics Inc. – accepted by Joe Preston
Designer of the Year: Willy Chavarria
Fashion Maverick: Harlem’s Fashion Row – accepted by Brandice Daniel
Global Vanguard: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Eco-Steward of the Year: William McDonough
For the seventh year, AAFA partnered with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Foundation as its beneficiary with the proceeds funding the future of the industry and the development of invaluable philanthropic programs.
The individuals and entities we are honoring this year for 2023 are initiators, leaders, and progress drivers. The power of the U.S. fashion industry is anchored in its global value chains and the billions of people around the world they employ and serve. This annual event demonstrates our evolution as an industry and celebrates these outstanding individuals and companies for their leadership, excellence, and noteworthy achievements in all sectors of the apparel and footwear industry.
Steve Lamar – AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar
The jubilant mood of the room was palpable from the time emcee Segun Oduolowu entered the stage. As Segun introduced each honoree the celebration incrementally elevated. Brandice Daniel was first to the podium to accept the Fashion Maverick honor on behalf of the organization she founded, Harlem’s Fashion Row. Designer of the Year honoree Willy Chavarria came next and was visibly awestruck by his honor as he accepted his Isabel and Ruben Toledo designed statuette. Joining the festivities was William McDonough, the annual event’s third Eco-Steward of the Year honoree. McDonough offered a thought-provoking lesson on being “fabulous” and the concept of being “net 100% good”, leaving everyone to rethink what it means to be stewards of our planet.
As the program returned from dinner, the inaugural Global Vanguard honor was bestowed upon the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who accepted via video, followed by a heartfelt tribute and thank you by her son – and CEO of The Africa Center – Dr. Uzodinma Iweala from the podium. The evening reached a final crescendo when Joe Preston, CEO of New Balance Athletics accepted the Company of the Year honor to the delight of his countless supporters.
“Each of tonight’s honorees are at the forefront of our changing industry, and they are building communities that will shape and define the future of American fashion,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. “We are very proud and thankful of our partnership with the AAFA and the positive impact it has had.”
Steven Kolb – CFDA CEO
Prior to the Awards program, the red carpet buzzed with stars, fashion executives, and designers in celebration of the night’s honorees. Designers and Creative Directors included Brandon Blackwood, John Bartlett, Ruthie Davis, Gita Omri, Danielle Frankel, Andrew Kwon, Nicholas Raefski, Charles Harbison, Grace Ling, and Sonya Keshwani. Other VIP guests included Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of GLSEN, CaSandraDiggs, President of CFDA, and actor David Granados.
“On behalf of AAFA’s Board of Directors, congratulations to this year’s honorees for embracing accountability, traceability, global stewardship, supply chain resilience, social impact, and progress,” shared Josue Solano, AAFA Vice Chair and CEO of BBC International. “We stand together not only to meet the present challenges across our business, but to fearlessly champion the future so that the global communities in which we work can prosper and thrive economically as well as through equity and inclusion.”
