They put their best foot forward and it was fabulous.
On Nov. 30, Footwear News hosted the 35th Annual FN Achievement Awards, the footwear industry’s highest honors at Cipriani South Street.
Influential names in the industry gathered for the magical night including: Kathy Hilton, Nicky Hilton-Rothchild, Christie Brinkley, Chloe Abbot, Olivia Palermo, Prabal Gurung, Fat Joe, Ronnie Fieg, Kathy Hilton, Nicky Hilton-Rothchild, Phillip Lim, Law Roach, Mariana Larroude and James Whitner.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 30: Fat Joe speaks onstage at the 35th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards on November 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Footwear News)
The evening celebrated the hit makers, style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talent and industry veterans. This year’s Awards take on special meaning as they honor the people and companies who have triumphed in the wake of intense challenges.
During the evening, awards were handed out for Person of the Year to Ronnie Fieg as his company celebrated its 10th anniversary, Style Influencer of the Year to Law Roach for his genius looks behind some of the most memorable red-carpet styles of 2021, and Social Impact Award to Phillip Lim, who has been one of the leading voices in the fashion community speaking out against hate crimes and violence against Asians, and has drawn much needed attention and funds to the cause, amongst many other notables.
A lovely moment was showcased when The Icon Award was presented by Michael Atmore, editorial director of FN and chief brand officer of Fairchild Media Group, to the powerful trio Kathy, Nicky and Paris Hilton.
“I am very proud of my daughters. They have played hard, and they have worked very hard,” stated the mother to the crowd of industry leaders.
Paris while away on her honeymoon was not in the room, but sent an acceptance video, “I want to wish everyone a wonderful evening and thank you so much Footwear News for this incredible honor. Mom and Nicky, I miss you and cannot wait to see you! Bye! Off to the beach!”
While most of the evening was jovial, there was also moments that paid tribute to the beautiful life of Virgil Abloh, who had passed just days before the gathering.
Lim during his acceptance speech quoted his late friend, “My only faith in fashion is that collectively we can kick a dent in racism from all sides.’ So please, friends and family, please continue to give a fuck. Only together, we can kick a permanent dent in hate space.”
The Shoe Oscars were beautiful, but also a solid reflection of the power of unity in the fashion industry.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 30: President, Crocs, Inc., Michelle Poole attends the 35th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards on November 30, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Footwear News)
“We found this year’s list of winners particularly inspiring. In a year when so much changed as a result of the pandemic, each winner rose to the occasion, creating new opportunities, defining new fashion to be excited about and bringing a solid burst of momentum to the footwear universe,” stated Atmore.”
These types of celebrations will always be in style.