The AAFA American Image Awards honor those who exemplify leadership, excellence, and outstanding achievements in all areas of the apparel and footwear industry, including education, design, manufacturing, and retail. The 2018 honorees include CFDA member Joseph Altuzarra of Altuzarra as Designer of the Year; CFDA Members Floriana Gavriel and Rachel Mansur of Mansur Gavriel as Fashion Mavricks of the Year; and Fred Segal, one of the CFDA’s partners, as Retailer of the Year; Emanuel Chirico of PVH Corp. as Person of the Year, and Camuto Group as Company of the Year. With this year’s awards a week away, we spoke with some of the honorees about their awards.
Fashion Mavricks of the Year Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel, Mansur Gavriel
Floriana Gavriel and Rachel Mansur launched handbags in 2013 and now have accessories, footwear and ready-to-wear collections.
How does innovation play into your brand aesthetic?
Ease, comfort and purity are as intrinsic to our aesthetic as the visual we present. We innovate through our approach to product as a whole experience: beauty, quality, functionality and wearability. We are interested in creating a new modern luxury.
– Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel, Co-Founders and Creative Directors of Mansur Gavriel
Company of the Year Camuto Group
Founded by Vince Camuto (1936-2015), Camuto Group started in 2001 as a shoe design, development and distribution resource for retailers.
How is innovation important in footwear and accessories today?
Innovation in design and production is paramount today. The customer is increasingly savvy and spends more time on the research and evaluation of a product before a purchase is made. The customer demands expert design and quality product to complement today’s modern lifestyle. Our teams strive to refine and improve our product to continuously evolve with the customer.
– Alex Del Cielo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Camuto Group
Person of the Year Emanuel Chirico, PVH Corp.
Emanuel “Manny” Chirico has been with PVH Corp. for more than 20 years and has served as CEO since 2006 and Chairman since 2007.
How do you define leadership?
Good leaders help their people find the resilience to keep pushing through challenges. Sometimes the best you can do is make sure your people know that they may win, or they may lose, but they won’t do either alone.
– Emanuel (Manny) Chirico, Chairman and CEO, PVH Corp.
Retailer of the Year Fred Segal
Iconic Los Angeles retailer Fred Segal has been discovering LA brands since 1961 Under CEO Allison Samek and President John Frierson, Fred Segal opened a flagship on Sunset Boulevard and is expanding to Japan.
What is the one key ingredient to a successful retail experience today?
Now more than ever, consumers are looking for a unique shopping experience. They want one-of-a-kind, hard-to-find items that no one else has; and they want to find it in an environment that isn’t replicated anywhere else. Fred Segal has been perfecting what people are now coining ‘experiential retailing’ for almost 50 years. We’ve always offered our customer a place to not only shop but to listen to music, eat amazing food, discover and meet new designers, touch, feel and play with product and most importantly, connect with their friends and community.
– Allison Samek, Chief Executive Officer of Fred Segal
The American Image Awards will be held on April 16, 2018 at 583 Park Avenue. More information on the American Image Awards and an opportunity to purchase tickets and gala packages can be found here.
