CELEBRITIES AND STAR ATHLETES TURN OUT FOR THE 36th ANNUAL AAFA AMERICAN IMAGE AWARDS IN SUPPORT OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Arlington, VA – April 30, 2014 – The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) celebrated another star-studded evening honoring excellence in the U.S. apparel and footwear industry last night at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. Hosted by Academy Award-winner Marlee Matlin, the 36th Annual AAFA American Image Awards, benefitting the Special Olympics, drew many top industry executives as well as celebrity supporters of the Special Olympics including NBA great Sam Perkins and Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan. “My dream is that we can live in a world where we celebrate the joy of our athletes, where we use their strength to inspire greatness, where we break down barriers for all people with intellectual disabilities,” said Kwan in her opening remarks.
An Olympic procession featuring ten Special Olympians kicked off the program. “Tonight, we come together as an industry to celebrate the excellence, leadership, and dedication of tonight’s honorees and to recognize and applaud the Special Olympics organization and the Olympians here with us,” said Rick Helfenbein, AAFA’s Chairman of the Board, and President of Luen Thai USA. “We all salute your courage, your determination and your leadership encouraging and empowering people to overcome disabilities and become productive citizens, and, to help create a world more welcoming and inclusive as a society.”
The crowd of over 450 attendees were particularly enamored with lively host Marlee Matlin who kept guests laughing and engaged with humor and expressive sign language voiced by her interpreter. “It takes more than a village to accomplish the awesome humanity we are celebrating here tonight,” said Matlin. “A special thanks to the AAFA for their good work on behalf of the fashion industry and their commitment to giving back to amazing organizations like the Special Olympics.”
Marlee & Michelle
William Sweedler, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Tengram Capital Partners, accepted the “Man of the Year” award thanking his family and wife whom he lovingly titled the “Woman of the Century.” Sisters Sarah Ahmed and Zahra Ahmed, Creative Director and Director respectively of DL1961, accepted the “Denim Brand of the Year” award with a humble speech acknowledging denim’s universal appeal, noting: “Everyone in this room at some point in their lives has worn a pair of jeans!”
Robert Graham CEO Michael Buckley and Co-Chairman & Chief Creative Officer Robert Stock both took part in the event’s “Festive Black-Tie with Sneakers Optional” dress code sporting sneakers from the newly-launched Robert Graham footwear collection as they accepted the “Menswear Brand of the Year” award. Cutting-edge designer Ruthie Davis accepted the “Footwear Designer of the Year” award while acknowledging her special guest, recording artist Ashanti, who wore the designer’s shoes to the event and has been a longtime, loyal supporter of the brand. Supima Cotton President Jesse Curlee accepted the “Premium Fiber Brand of the Year” award; and Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group Barry Sternlicht was presented with the “Humanitarian of the Year” award in absentia.
Ashanti & Ruthie
All honorees received fashionable dress form-shaped award statuettes styled in custom knit dresses designed by award-winning knitwear designer Linda Burhance. Additional VIP guests included Steven Cox and Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown, and menswear designer John Bartlett who also took to the red carpet in colorful Ruthie Davis sneakers per the event’s dress code. we wearSMour mission
Forty percent of the event’s net proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics. For more information on the 36th Annual AAFA American Image Awards, please visit www.wewear.org/americanimageawards.
Sarah & Zahra
About AAFA
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. AAFA’s mission is to promote and enhance its members’ competitiveness, productivity and profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, commercial, political, and trade restraints. Learn how AAFA wears our mission at www.wewear.org.
About Special Olympics
The Special Olympics is an international organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports every day around the world. Through work in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics addresses inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 4.2 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics is able to deliver 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 70,000 competitions throughout the year. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.