AMERICAN APPAREL & FOOTWEAR GALA HITS NYC

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NEW YORK CITY FASHION

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Kelly Osbourne

Juanita D. Duggan, President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), today announced four of the five industry leaders to be honored at the AAFA American Image Awards, to be held on Monday, April 27, 2015 at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. Recognizing outstanding achievements throughout the apparel and footwear industry, the awards will feature Person of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Company of the Year, Designer of the Year, and Fashion Maverick.

Duggan said, “I am pleased to announce four honorees for AAFA’s 37th Annual American Image Awards. The AIA honorees are giants in the fashion industry, and I congratulate them for their achievements.” The awardees are: Company of the Year: Brown Shoe Company to be accepted by Diane Sullivan, CEO, President and Chairman; Retailer of the Year: Holt Renfrew to be accepted by Mark Derbyshire, President; Designer of the Year: Cynthia Rowley to be accepted by namesake designer Cynthia Rowley; and Fashion Maverick: Kelly Osbourne, Fashion Police Co-Host, Fashion Designer, and Actress.” The remaining award recipient will be announced shortly.

In addition, Duggan announced that Ruben Toledo, acclaimed artist and 2011 American Image Awards Fashion Maverick recipient, will create a new iconic design of the American Image Awards statuette. The custom design will be unveiled at the star-studded gala event on Monday, April 27. “This is an exciting collaboration between AAFA and Ruben Toledo, and we are thrilled that such a world-renowned artist will create an award that speaks to the essence and importance of the fashion industry,” said Duggan.

This year’s charity partner is Mercy Ships, a global organization committed to providing the world’s impoverished with basic healthcare and life-changing medical services. For more than 35 years, Mercy Ships has operated in more than 70 nations around the world, caring for over 2.4 million people through life-transforming surgeries and community development. Mercy Ships operates the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world, bringing hope and healing around the globe.

“AAFA is deeply honored to partner with Mercy Ships as our charity partner for the American Image Awards,” said AAFA President & CEO, Juanita D. Duggan. “We are thrilled to be working together on such a meaningful cause, raising broad and global awareness for the healing it brings to the world’s most in need. We look forward to making this one of our most memorable, must-attend industry events.”

First awarded in 1977, the American Image Awards stands as an emblem of honor for those who have exemplified leadership, excellence, and outstanding achievement in all sectors of the apparel and footwear industry, including education, design, manufacturing, and retail.

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.