AAFA Honors Target, Ulla Johnson and More at Annual American Image Awards
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) took over Gotham Hall Tuesday night for its 49th annual American Image Awards, honoring a handful of trailblazers who are expanding the global impact of fashion in ways that will “inspire generations to come.”
Hosted by news anchor Scarlet Fu, the event — which benefited the Council of Fashion Designers of America Foundation (CFDA) — began with opening remarks from Stephen Lamar, president and chief executive officer of the AAFA.
Lamar set the tone for the evening by emphasizing the importance of the gathering, particularly amid the ongoing global trade war initiated by President Donald Trump — a development that has raised widespread concern throughout the industry.
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“I encourage you also to reflect on the challenges we confront today with greater and greater burdens,” Lamar said. “These challenges shine a light on the need for the CFDA and the importance of our gathering tonight. No doubt we have our work cut out for us, and these journeys are never easy, but the achievements we celebrate tonight were not forged alone or without effort.”
Shortly after Lamar’s kick-off speech, Gail Klapper, managing partner at The Klapper Firm, presented the Trailblazer Award to Katherine Gold, president and CEO of GoldBug. During her speech, Gold joked that the last time she accepted an award — when she was named Vendor of the Year — it was just days before the country fell into the throes of a global pandemic. Now, as she stood before the audience amid a global trade crisis, she said, “I think we can all agree that none of us can afford to have me accept another award.”
Gold took over the business in 2012 — which was founded by her father in 1968 — after buying it from her siblings. At the time, she said the company was “in serious debt and needed a new direction,” so she made it her mission to revamp the brand into one that offered life-changing products for multiple generations. The brand, which makes “on-the-go gear for babies’ everyday adventures,” evolved under her leadership into a purpose-driven company focused on innovation and legacy.
“As a private, value-driven company, we can change quickly, innovate responsibly, maintain standards and exceed our history,” Gold said. “We’re proud to carry our legacy forward while still pushing ahead. I’m incredibly proud of all our initiatives and the company we have built. If it takes a trailblazer to achieve these goals, then I’m honored to be called one. Achieving a better tomorrow for all of us is completely doable if it’s part of our core corporate mission.”
Halide Alagöz, executive vice president and chief product and merchandising officer at Ralph Lauren, followed Gold’s speech by presenting the Eco-Steward Award to Lewis Perkins, president of the Apparel Impact Institute (AII).
During his speech, Perkins thanked the AAFA and CFDA for recognizing the Apparel Impact Institute’s work, which includes launching the $250 million Fashion Climate Fund in 2022 — an initiative aimed at unlocking up to $2 billion in capital to reduce carbon emissions in fashion — as well as deploying the fund’s first Climate Solutions Portfolio grants.
“This is a milestone for everyone who’s been helping build and scale AII’s work, and it’s a reflection of the incredible collaboration that’s happening today through brands, suppliers, funders, philanthropies, banks, innovators and creatives — all who believe that in order for climate action to be part of fashion, you have to move beyond the promises,” Perkins said. “I think it really is time for us to prove the results.”
Lance Ruttenberg, president and CEO of the American Textile Company, accepted the Company of the Year award presented by Jack Ouellette, former CEO of the company.
On stage, Ruttenberg reflected on 100 years of business as one of the largest bedding manufacturers in the world and thanked the AAFA — specifically Lamar — for their continued support and belief in the company.
“We are a long way from those humble beginnings with one cut-and-sew operation in the heart of Pennsylvania. Thankfully, during that 100-year journey, we recognized that sleep is a necessity, and our strategic vision was built around supplying products that address this constant in everyone’s lives,” Ruttenberg said. “We will use tonight as motivation to continue creating many products that excite consumers and retailers.”
Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, presented the Designer of the Year award to Ulla Johnson. As the daughter of two archaeologists, Johnson — who founded her namesake brand over 25 years ago — shared how her appreciation for the lasting impact of human-made objects has shaped her understanding of how the things consumers wear and live with carry meaning across time.
“I’ve traveled to countries and communities far and wide, developing a network of artisans with unique skills forged from centuries of specialization in knitting and weaving,” Johnson said. “I can’t take lightly the intimacy that links a garment with its wearer, and with the women who wear my clothes. I endeavor to always design garments that make a woman feel amplified in her unique voice, not mine.”
The following award, Fashion Maverick, was presented to Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, president of Pensole Lewis College, by his daughter D’On Lauren Edwards.
Edwards, who began his career as an entry-level footwear designer at LA Gear in 1989 at just 19 years old, spoke about building a lasting legacy in the industry, including designing custom sneakers for rap legends like Tupac, Notorious B.I.G. and Dr. Dre. He also highlighted what he considers his “greatest” endeavor: Helping to reopen Detroit’s Pensole Lewis College (PLC) — the first design-focused HBCU.
“I guess I’ve been a maverick since Day One with my first fashion pitch. Little did I know that suggestion would set me down a path for nearly 37 years rooted in creativity and pushing boundaries,” Edwards said. “My goal was, and still continues to be, to leave this industry better than what I entered into by inspiring the next generation of designers to do the same.”
Closing out the ceremony, Houston White Jr., founder of lifestyle brand Houston White, presented the Retailer of the Year award to Bill Foudy, senior vice president and president of Owned Brands, who accepted the honor on behalf of retail giant Target.
While Foudy acknowledged that brands and retailers are currently navigating an “extremely volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous” landscape, he expressed confidence in Target’s ability to meet evolving consumer needs.
“We know that this is the time that consumers are going to be looking to us for joyful products and solutions, to stretch their dollars as far as possible. It’s going to take more creativity, more innovation, speed and a steadfast commitment to the new customer-centric model to ensure that we can bring joy to consumers across the U.S. at a time when they need it most,” Foudy said. “However, our purpose is to help all families discover the joy of everyday life. It’s the driving force behind our commitment to making style, quality and relevant products accessible and affordable for all, so we’re [up for the challenge].”
