The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has announced the honourees for its 2026 American Image Awards, marking fifty years of recognising excellence, leadership and collaboration across the global fashion industry. The awards spotlight designers, brands, innovators and organisations shaping the future of fashion and apparel through creativity, technology and responsible practices.
The AAFA has announced the honourees for its 2026 American Image Awards, marking fifty years of celebrating fashion leadership and collaboration.
Recipients include Fabletics, Zac Posen, Avery Dennison, Timberland, AFIRM Group, BBC International executives Seth Campbell and Josue Solano, and artist Ruben Toledo.
The gala will be held on April 21, 2026, at Gotham Hall in New York City.
The 2026 recipients include Fabletics as Company of the Year, recognised for redefining digitally native activewear through technology-led personalisation, inclusive design and rapid global omnichannel expansion. Zac Posen, named Designer of the Year, is celebrated for his technical excellence and body-positive designs.
Avery Dennison, awarded Global Innovator, is recognised for decades of technology leadership, particularly in RFID and digital identification solutions transforming apparel supply chains. Timberland, named Fashion Maverick, is celebrated for blending heritage outdoor DNA with contemporary culture through bold collaborations and renewed brand relevance. AFIRM Group, honoured as Eco-Steward of the Year, is recognised for its global leadership in advancing safer chemicals management and responsible manufacturing across apparel and footwear supply chains.
BBC International executives Seth Campbell and Josue Solano received the Trailblazer Award for steering the footwear group’s evolution into a diversified, globally scaled platform spanning licensed, owned and lifestyle brands. Artist Ruben Toledo, recipient of the Icon Award, is recognised for his lasting creative legacy and for co-creating the American Image Awards statuette, a symbol of artistic excellence and global unity within the fashion industry.
The American Image Awards gala will be held on April 21, 2026, at Gotham Hall, with the Council of Fashion Designers of America Foundation serving as the charitable beneficiary. The evening will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Alina Cho.
“As we celebrate 50 years of the American Image Awards, and 250 years of America, we are excited to honour the legacy of our industry while recognizing the visionaries who are fashioning our future,” said Steve Lamar, president and CEO of AAFA.
“The American Image Awards is a moment for our industry to pause, reflect, and celebrate the stories that have shaped fashion over the past year,” said Steven Kolb, CEO and president of CFDA.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
