Before the 2024 American Image Awards ceremony and dinner kicked off last night, the red carpet stirred with excitement as fashion executives, designers, and various luminaries gathered to celebrate the evening’s honorees. Among them were CFDA members Cynthia Rowley, Todd Snyder and Michelle Ochs, as well as guests including The Circularity Project founder Indré Rockefeller, journalist Belle Bakst, actor David Granados, and influencers Mellány Sánchez, Marjon Carlos, Joshua Kamei, and Charlotte Groeneveld.

The annual event was hosted by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) at Gotham Hall in midtown Manhattan. Emceed by the host of Boston Globe Today, Segun Oduolowu, the gala honored leaders and advocates across the apparel and footwear industries.

The CFDA Foundation is the event’s longstanding charitable beneficiary.

The AAFA American Image Awards honorees included CFDA member Wes Gordon, Creative Director of Carolina Herrera, as Designer of the Year; Lizanne Kindler, Executive Chair & CEO of KnitWell Group, as Person of the Year; Carhartt, Inc. as Company of the Year, accepted by Danilo Amoretty, Senior Vice President of Global Product Supply and Operations;  Global Fashion Agenda, accepted by CEO Federica Marchionni, as Eco-Steward of the Year; and Allan Ellinger, Senior Managing Partner of MMG Advisors, as Trailblazer.

Inspiring moments included remarks from both AAFA’s Stephen Lamar and CFDA’s Steven Kolb, with mutual salutes to the impact the eight years of partnership and the far-reaching impacts. Katie Ioanilli of Ralph Lauren welcomed Ferrara Manufacturing’s Chief Operating Officer Gabrielle Ferrara to the stage, who shared the success Ferrara Manufacturing—a past recipient of CFDA foundation funds that have been raised by this event—has had in manufacturing locally in the newly built manufacturing facility where the U.S. Olympic uniforms, many of Ralph Lauren’s top tier product, and military uniforms are currently being made.

“Tonight is a powerful reminder of the positive change that individuals can steer. We are reminded that we can and should draw collective strength from our individual diversity and that we are making incredible strides as an industry as we support manufacturing, foster new talent, and train the next generation,” said Steve Lamar, AAFA’s president and CEO. “Over the years ahead, I look forward to even stronger partnerships as we fashion new extended producer responsibility mechanisms, negotiate smart trade programs, and scale circular solutions.”

“It was an honor to celebrate our eighth year of partnership, to spotlight five such unique award recipients, and to showcase the impact of our recent scholarships. The American Image Awards are an outstanding event and always a great night to reflect on the opportunities we’ve created together in partnership with the AAFA leadership,” said Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO.

Congratulations to all the honorees!