The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) recently announced Joseph Abboud, BBC International LLC;Shinola
Detroit; Christian Siriano; and Iris Apfel as its 2016
American Image Awards honorees. Each enters an illustrious community of
fashion icons recognized with the prestigious prize. The awards will be
presented May 24 at the38th Annual American Image Awards in New York
City. Hal Rubenstein, founding editor of InStyle magazine, will
emcee the event.
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Iris Apfel |
The
AAFA American Image Awards honors those who have exemplified leadership,
excellence, and outstanding achievement in all sectors of the apparel and
footwear industry, including education, design, manufacturing, and retail. The
American Image Awards is hosted by AAFA which, through this event, brings
together a unique cross-section of influencers to celebrate creativity while
drawing attention to public policy impacts on fashion and
design.
“Every
year, the apparel and footwear industry eagerly waits for the American Image
Awards as a time to celebrate true innovation and leadership,” said Rick
Helfenbein, AAFA president and CEO. “This year’s honorees epitomize the best
of the industry from design through creativity, to business and marketing
achievements. We’re so proud to recognize their successful
contributions.”
Company of the Year is footwear giant BBC International LLC,
known for its dynamicdesign, innovation, product development, sourcing agility,
marketing savvy, and a growing portfolio of top global brands and licenses in
every distribution channel. The Company of the Year award will be accepted by
Robert (Bobby) Campbell, BBC International Chairman and founding
member.
Retailer of the Year is Shinola Detroit. Based in Detroit,
Shinola is dedicated to creating world-class American manufacturing jobs and
crafting watches, bicycles, leather goods, and journals of the highest quality
that are built to last. The Retailer of the Year award will be accepted by
Jacques Panis, Shinola Detroit president.
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Christian Siriano |
Designer of the Year is Christian Siriano. Christian Siriano
launched his eponymous collection in 2008 following his studies in London under
Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. The Christian Siriano collection is now
shown each season at New York Fashion Week, and presented in New York and Paris
to retailers. Known for whimsical and show-stopping design – from fantasy
evening gowns and cocktail dresses, to tailored sportswear, to intricately
detailed shoes and accessories – the collection can be found at Neiman Marcus
and other department stores and specialty boutiques around the globe. In 2012
the first flagship Christian Siriano store opened on Elizabeth Street in New
York City, and in 2013 he was inducted as a member of the Council of Fashion
Designers of America (CFDA).
Fashion Maverick is Iris Apfel. Iris Apfel is a
businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon. She consults and lectures
about style and other fashion topics, and her illustrious career includes
teaching positions at the University of Texas at Austin and White House
restoration projects for nine United States presidents. She is the subject
of Iris, a documentary film that premiered at the New York Film Festival
in 2014.
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Joseph Abboud |
Person of the Year is lifestyle designer Joseph Abboud.
Joseph Abboud is the chief creative director of Tailored Brands, Inc. Joseph
Abboud launched his namesake brand in 1987, which is known for establishing an
exceptional style sensibility infused with intelligence, grace, and ease. A
Boston native, Abboud has always been able to combine the romance of European
tailoring with the practicality of American style. Besides being a menswear
designer and an author, Joseph Abboud has had many accomplishments in his
career. He is the only designer to win the coveted Menswear Designer of the
Year two years in a row (1989 and 1990) from the CFDA, he was honored
with The Cutty Sark Award for the Most Promising Menswear Designerin
1988, a Woolmark Award for Distinguished Fashion in 1989 as well as
the Special Achievement Award from The Neckwear Association of America in
1994. Currently, the Joseph Abboud collection is sold at the Joseph Abboud
Flagship in NYC, JosephAbboud.com, and Men’s Wearhouse stores nationwide. Abboud
is personally involved in every step of the design and manufacturing
process.
The
American Image Awards draws hundreds of apparel and footwear executives,
industry influencers, fashion icons, and celebrities to its red carpet event.
For the second year in a row, it will benefit Mercy Ships, a global organization
committed to providing the world’s impoverished with free basic healthcare and
life-changing medical surgeries. Since 1978, Mercy Ships has served in 70
countries, touched 2.5 million patients, and provided over $1.2 billion in
services.
More
information on the American Image Awards and ticket information can be found
at: https://www.wewear.org/events/AmericanImageAwards/
About AAFA: Representing more than 1,000 world famous
name brands, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the
trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry,
its management and shareholders, its four million U.S. workers, and its
contribution of $361 billion in annual U.S. retail sales. AAFA stands at the
forefront as a leader of positive change for the apparel and footwear industry
and delivers a unified voice on key legislative and regulatory issues. AAFA
enables a collaborative forum to promote best practices and innovation. AAFA’s
comprehensive work ensures the continued success and growth of the apparel and
footwear industry, its suppliers, and its customers. Learn how AAFA wears our
mission at www.wewear.org
About Mercy Ships: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to
deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building, and
sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded
in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70
countries providing services valued in excess of $1.2 billion and treating 2.54
million direct beneficiaries. Each year, Mercy Ships has approximately 1,600
volunteers from 45 nations. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses,
health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists
donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to transform
individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information, visit www.mercyships.org
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