AAFA recognises denim-strong line-up
US trade group the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has published its list of American Image Awards honourees, singling out what it described as “outstanding individuals and companies” for the awards of Person of the Year, Company of the Year, Designer of the Year, Eco Steward of the Year and Fashion Maverick.
Almost all recipients have professionally dabbled in the world of denim.
President and chief executive of Levi Strauss & Co, Chip Bergh, received the honour of Person of the Year, for example, whereas Company of the Year went to Gap Inc (accepted by group chief executive, Sonia Syngal), the parent company behind brands including Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.
American fashion designer Prabal Gurung, known to incorporate denim in his collections on occasion, has been named Designer of the Year. The title of Eco Steward of the Year, meanwhile, was awarded to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF)’s fashion initiative. (Learn about EMF’s Jeans Redesign project here.)
Women’s lifestyle brand ThirdLove, which largely focuses on lingerie, loungewear and activewear, was honoured with the Fashion Maverick award. Co-founder and chief executive, Heidi Zak, accepted the award.
AAFA president and chief executive, Steve Lamar, commented: “The American Image Awards has always been about excellence and achievement. In a new climate - both the realities of a global pandemic and the increasingly challenging business and environmental realities - innovation and stewardship continue to remain paramount.
“The 2022 honourees are truly trailblazers who galvanise their employees and their peers across this industry’s far-reaching supply chains to ensure impactful contributions to the American and global economies, our stakeholder community and the future of fashion.”
An awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on April 26 at New York City’s Plaza Hotel.
