The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) hosted the AAFA American Image Awards last night at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
The event is held annually to celebrate the various accomplishments made in the fashion and retail industry. This year, the awards were hosted by award-winning actress Brooke Shields as the gala honored leaders, influencers, and innovators who have made striking influence in apparel and footwear. “The American Image Awards is about celebrating the future of fashion. This year’s honorees exemplify where the industry is heading, and it was a privilege to showcase their success.” said Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association.
The AAFA American Image Awards honorees included Person of the Year, Isaac Ash, President and CEO of United Legwear & Apparel Co.; Retailer of the Year, American Eagle Outfitters; Company of the Year, Birkenstock; Designer of the Year, Eileen Fisher; Media Brand of the Year, WWD; and Fashion Collaboration of the Year, Disney Princess X Ruthie Davis. “We’re so proud to be at this event,” said senior manager of Walt Disney Heather Sanchez, who was honored because of her collaboration with Ruthie Davis. “She takes on the idea of a modern day princess” said Sanchez of Davis. Fashion executives and designers including Brandon Maxwell, Stacey Bendet made an appearance on the red carpet to this star studded event. The red carpet featured a dazzling cocktail hour before the gala commenced.
“We’ve been working really hard to really do, not just give back, but creating a really strong business that is really focused on listening to the consumer and growing and evolving with that,” said Iskra Lawrence who has been working as a model with Aerie. The Knockturnal asked a couple attendees what fashion meant to them here are their responses.
“Fashion means to me expression, you get to decide who you want to be day to day. A lot of the time I want to be comfy and cozy. Other times I want to be sexy or more structured and slick. It’s just that trance to keep experimenting and finding yourself and being on that journey of self love and celebrating our bodies everyday be decorating them,” said Iskra Lawrence.
“Fashion to me is each women’s form of art and creative expression each day. I feel like children as young as two years old use fashion as a way to express themselves. That is always how I hope women feel when they walk into my store, that they are able to use fashion as a way to uplift and make themselves feel great!” said Stacey Bendet.
“Fashion to me is feeling good about yourself and presenting yourself to the world in a way that makes you feel good. It should be fun, it should be unique, every person’s style should be their own. It shouldn’t be taken too seriously and it be something that you have to be rich to do it, it’s about personal style and putting things together,” said Ruthie Davis.
