Every year Fashion Reverie looks forward to the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s 2025 American Image Awards which celebrates visionary leadership in the footwear and apparel industry. The theme of the evening was one that celebrated legacy and innovation, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Held at Gotham Hall, the event was attended by fashion industry professionals Ken Downing, Jameel Mohammed (Tiffany & Co.), Chuks Collins, Cynthia Rowley, Bibhu Mohapatra, and Reem Acra, among many others.
Fashion Reverie chatted with some of our favorite industry professionals and discussed new collections, the state of the apparel industry, and what’s new and innovative on the horizon. Fashion Reverie loves to stay current and on top of the trends, so we had to ask one of our favorite influencers, Caroline Vazanna, two questions, what are you wearing and why are you here? Fashion Reverie also spoke to Reem Acra and discussed her latest bridal collection.
Before we headed inside to mingle over cocktails, Fashion Reverie had to speak with Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, who received the Fashion Maverick Award. He spoke to us about Pensole Lewis College in Detroit, Michigan, which is an HBCU pipeline for career education and product development in the product creation industry. Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, who inspired the room with a message of resilience, stating, “At Pensole Lewis our mission is clear … Make dreams accessible to everyone willing to work hard for it.”
During the cocktail hour, Fashion Reverie mingled with shoe designer Ruthie Davis and menswear designer John Bartlett, among others. We reconnected with old friends and made new acquaintances over champagne, hor d’heurves and enjoyable conversation. Dinner was served and we enjoyed Burrata and Tomato Three Ways, Miso Glazed Cod with Black Rice, Pickled Hon Shimeji and Kaffir-Lime Dashi (all of it was delicious), cosmic cake and coffee while the honorees accepted their awards.
Image courtesy of VERY New York
Ulla Johnson received the Designer of the Year Award and Ulla Johnson made an emotional statement about how her fashion brand ” continues to celebrate women’s voices, women’s collective power, and our hard-won rights for all those less fortunate … and all the daughters in generations to come.”
It was an evening celebrating the tastemakers of apparel and footwear. A good time was had by all!!
—Renessta Olds
Speak Your Mind