Inside the 39th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards

Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Ciprani. Manhattan, New York.—The 39th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards returned as one of the most anticipated nights in fashion, drawing industry leaders, creatives, and tastemakers together to celebrate excellence across footwear, sports, and retail. Often referred to as the “Shoe Oscars,” the 2025 ceremony honored Pharrell Williams and Adidas with the coveted Shoe of the Year Award for the Virginia Adistar Jellyfish, while designer and philanthropist Tommy Hilfiger received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring global influence. From the red carpet, the evening reflected a balance of legacy and innovation, spotlighting honorees shaping the future of the industry through creativity, leadership, and cultural impact.

Held on December 3, 2025, at Cipriani, 25 Broadway in New York City, the event brought together a distinguished cross-section of fashion, business, and cultural leaders. With 14 honorees recognized throughout the evening, the ceremony underscored the expansive role footwear continues to play—not only as a product category, but as a cultural and commercial force influencing global style, sports, and retail. Reflecting on this year’s honorees, Michael Atmore, Chief Brand Officer of Fairchild Media Group and Editor-in-Chief of Footwear News and WWD, shared, “The class of 2025 is a powerful mix of legends, new talents and breakout stars. In one of the most challenging years on record, the FNAA winners’ list is proof that the best thrive in any condition. Our 14 honorees are proof positive that trying times call for inventive leadership and laser focus. These shining success stories all have an interesting backstory that led them to the podium.”

This year’s honorees represented a wide spectrum of industry excellence. Alongside Pharrell Williams and Tommy Hilfiger, Ronnie Fieg was named Person of the Year, while Wolverine Worldwide received Company of the Year honors. Nina Christen was recognized as Designer of the Year, with additional awards celebrating Nordstrom as Retailer of the Year, Jordan Brand as Brand of the Year, and New Balance x Miu Miu as Collaboration of the Year. Cultural influence and emerging creativity were also spotlighted, with Coco Gauff named Style Influencer of the Year and Jude receiving the Emerging Talent Award, reinforcing the ceremony’s commitment to honoring both legacy and forward momentum.

The red carpet echoed that same sense of prestige and presence. Michael Strahan, Gayle King, Howie Mandel, and Pusha T were among the notable figures in attendance, while Spike Lee brought his unmistakable cultural gravitas to the arrivals. Fashion and pop-culture influence was further reflected through appearances by Nicky Hilton, underscoring the event’s ability to bridge entertainment, style, and industry leadership in one space.

Presenters throughout the evening further emphasized the awards’ cultural reach. Pusha T, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michael Strahan, Jeff Daniels, June Ambrose, Kenneth Cole, Nigel Sylvester, Coco Gauff, Storm Reid, Gayle King, Olivia Palermo, Howie Mandel, Amina Muaddi, and Nikki O’Brien and Scott Conwell each took the stage to honor leaders across design, retail, innovation, and legacy. Special guests including Christie Brinkley, Sailor Brinkley Cook, Futura, Helen Lasichanh Williams, and Johannes Huebl were also spotted throughout the evening, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a meeting point for creatives shaping influence across industries.

The 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards were presented with support from Caleres, Listrak, Nordstrom, Skechers, Vibram, and Wolverine Worldwide, reflecting the breadth of brands invested in the industry’s continued growth and evolution. As the definitive authority for footwear industry decision-makers and shoe-loving consumers alike, Footwear News draws on more than 80 years of expertise to spotlight the people, products, and stories shaping the global shoe and sneaker market. Published by Penske Media Corporation and part of Fairchild Media Group, FN continues to connect insiders to the stars and legends of the business through its digital, print, and live-event platforms—including the iconic “Shoe Oscars.” The 39th annual ceremony served as both a celebration of enduring legacy and a forward-looking statement, reaffirming footwear’s lasting influence across fashion, sports, and retail.