The 2026 American Image Awards celebrated honorees including Fabletics as Company of the Year, accepted by Adam Goldenberg, co-founder and CEO; Zac Posen as Designer of the Year; Timberland as Fashion Maverick, accepted by Nina Flood, global brand president; Avery Dennison as a Global Innovator, accepted by Bill Toney, Vice President of Advanced Technology, Solutions Group; Trailblazer co-recipients Josue Solano, CEO of BBC International and Seth Campbell, Corporate President of BBC International; AFIRM Group was honored as Eco-Steward of the Year, accepted by Nathaniel Sponsler, Director; and the Icon Award went to Rubén Toledo.
AAFA's 50th American Image Awards highlighted an industry focused on the future, shaped by innovation, sustainability and collaboration. Leaders highlighted regulatory readiness, AI-driven transformation and evolving partnerships. The honorees reflected resilience and creativity, signaling a more responsible, diverse and globally connected fashion landscape.
Throughout the program, both speakers and honorees emphasized community, incredible changes over the decades, and a bright outlook for the future of the industry, becoming more global, more diverse, and more responsible. Mistress of Ceremonies Alina Cho set that tone from the beginning, stating, “Tonight's honorees represent the best of what this industry can be: designers, executives, visionaries and strategists, who honor the craft while having the courage to evolve it.”
Momentum built with Nathaniel Sponsler, director of the AFIRM Group, honored as Eco-Steward of the yearunderscoring the importance of continued leadership to address evolving environmental challenges. “Chemicals will always be a sensitive issue for apparel and footwear,” he said. “We must show leadership and get ahead of these issues as they continue to attract more attention from regulators and the public. In many ways, it feels like our work is just beginning.”
Joe Preston, AAFA President, President and CEO of New Balance Athletics, Inc. inserted Josué Solano, general director of BBC International and Corporate President Seth Campbell accepting the double honor of Trailblazer of the Night for his pioneering work in dynamic partnerships in the footwear sector. Solano reflected on the company's proactive approach during the recent global uncertainty, noting: “At the BBC, we believe there is a time to play offense and there is a time to play defense. You would think that in the last five years, when the world seems to be upside down, the BBC would have taken the position of playing defense.” He continued, “but it has been the opposite.” This mindset, he explained, helped define a “new north star” for the company.
Reinforcing a forward-looking perspective, Campbell highlighted the opportunity ahead. “As we look forward, we know the path is not marked, and that's what makes it really exciting. We will continue to build, evolve, work hard and create new tracks for the BBC, just as those before us did.”
AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar introduced Rosie Rios, the 43rd Treasurer of the United States and chair of the America250 initiative, who thanked AAFA for its partnership and spoke of the scale of the national milestone ahead. “At America250, we have a simple goal: engage all 350 million Americans in the 250th edition, a goal we call 350 by 250.”
Steven Kolb, president and CEO of CFDA, the event's beneficiary charity, brought actress Katie Holmes to the stage, who joined the evening to present the Designer of the Year honor to Zac Posen. In his remarks, Posen reflected on his creative journey and the partnerships that have shaped his work, while also looking toward continued innovation in American fashion. In her closing remarks, she said, “What a gift it is to be on this journey with all of you, to continue to extend that invitation far and wide and push the boundaries of what is possible in American fashion.”
A defining and emotional moment of the evening came when the legendary artist Ruben Toledo He accepted the Icon Award for his role in designing the award statuette presented to each honoree for more than a decade. Created alongside his late wife, fashion designer Isabel Toledo, the statuette remains an enduring symbol of their shared creative vision. In accepting the honor, Toledo made it clear that the recognition was for both of them. “So to be here tonight and to receive this… it's overwhelming. Because this was never mine. It was ours.” He continued: “And I take her [Isabel] with me…in every line, every form, every idea that still finds its way into the world.”
Innovation and technology continued to be central themes as Bill Toney, vice president, advanced technology, solutions group, He accepted the Global Innovator honor on behalf of Avery Dennison. Looking toward the role of connected products and data, Toney said: “What started as a simple label now connects the physical and the digital, at scale, delivering real data that will optimize AI in the future. And the most exciting part is that we are just at the beginning of what is possible.” And he added: “This progress is not ours alone. It has been shared by the companies present in this room.”
Bracken Darrell, CEO of VF Corp., He then introduced Timberland as the Fashion Maverick honoree. By accepting the award, Nina Flood, Global Brand President spoke about the importance of balancing heritage with innovation, reinforcing the overall theme of the evening. “For us, being a maverick isn't about setting ourselves apart for the sake of it. It's about standing up for something: standing tall in our heritage, rooted in our values, and consistently shaping what comes next.”
The final award of the evening was presented to Fabletics, winner of the Company of the Year honor. Adam Goldenberg, Co-Founder, President and COOaccepted on behalf of the company, highlighting its continued focus on customer-driven innovation. “From day one, we set out to create not just a great product, but a different type of business. A membership model based on personalization and value, with the customer at the center of every decision,” said Goldenberg. “A little over a decade later, it's amazing to see how far that idea has come.”
The evening underscored a clear and consistent message: While the American Image Awards marked a milestone 50th anniversary, the industry they celebrate remains firmly focused on the future, driven by innovation, responsibility and a shared commitment to continued evolution.
“It is extraordinary to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American Image Awards and 250 years of American history. What unites us all is our shared thread of excellence in American fashion,” he said Steve Lamar, president and CEO of AAFA. “Tonight, we honor the iconic brands that have defined that excellence for generations, along with new voices and innovations that are shaping the future of our industry. As we reflect on these milestones, one thing remains constant: change. What we do best is meet it head-on, rise to the challenge and continue to innovate.”
“I am truly inspired by the passionate leaders of our industry whom we celebrate tonight at the American Image Awards,” he said Joe Preston, president of AAFA and president and CEO of New Balance. “Our industry continues to thrive thanks to the creative talent of so many footwear and apparel companies.”
“Once again we are proud to celebrate the American Image Awards together with the American Apparel & Footwear Association and its exceptional honorees,” said Steven Kolb, CEO and President of CFDA. “Our long-standing partnership with AAFA gives the CFDA Foundation the opportunity to support the vital work of advancing the fashion industry from local manufacturing and business grants to scholarships.”
As guests arrived, the red carpet hummed with energy, attracting fashion executives, designers, influencers and other notable figures in anticipation of the evening's celebration.
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Fiber2Fashion News Desk (MS)
