Things may look a little different at this year’s American Image Awards, which will be held virtually for the first time tonight, but the event remains committed to its mission: to come together in celebration of the fashion industry’s talented leaders.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) owned and operated event, which benefits the CFDA Foundation for the fourth consecutive year, gives five honorees the spotlight to recognize their outstanding leadership, vision and achievements in the fashion industry.

The honorees include many friends of the CFDA, including members Kenneth Cole (Person of the Year), Brandon Maxwell (Designer of the Year) and Ralph Lauren Corporation (Company of the Year). Bravo/Project Runway (Fashion Maverick), which the CFDA collaborates with annually via mentorship to the show’s winners, is also among this year’s honorees, as well as Alibaba Group (Retail Innovator of the Year).

The event will be hosted by journalist and CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin. In addition to Baldwin, legendary CFDA member and CFDA Emeritus Board member Jeffrey Banks will speak throughout the virtual event, including a personal tribute to the late Isabel Toledo. Toledo, with her husband Ruben, had very strong ties to the American Image Awards as the designers of the statuette that each honoree receives.

“No one could have predicted the impact COVID-19 would have on our world, our industry, or our daily lives,” said Steve Lamar, President and CEO of AAFA. “But this industry is resilient and focused on finding new ways to survive and thrive in the current environment. The future of fashion is bright, and our partnership with CFDA’s Foundation is helping to ensure it.”

Take a sneak peek in to the 2020 American Image Awards via the above video and join the conversation on social media with #AmericanImageAwards.