Honorees

Company of the Year

Fabletics   Adam Goldenberg, Co-Founder and CEO, accepting

Founded in 2013, Fabletics is the world’s largest digitally native activewear brand, fusing style-centric design with cutting-edge technology to deliver fashionable, high-performance active lifewear at an accessible price. Powered by its proprietary Fashion OS tech platform and an innovative VIP membership program, Fabletics offers a uniquely personalized shopping experience to its more than 3 million active customers. The brand has evolved activewear beyond the gym into every aspect of daily life—championing confidence, inclusivity, and self-expression for everyone and every body.

Adam Goldenberg is a seasoned entrepreneur and leader in the eCommerce industry with a proven track record of building multiple billion-dollar brands. Alongside co-founder Don Ressler, Adam has generated over $15 billion in sales through TechStyle Fashion Group, which launched digitally native fashion brands Fabletics, Savage X Fenty, JustFab, ShoeDazzle, FabKids, and Yitty.

His expertise in building brands and cutting-edge digital media stems from over twenty years in the industry. Adam launched his first company at 16, which he sold to Intermix Media, the parent company of MySpace. At 19, Adam became the youngest-ever Chief Operating Officer of a public company. Before starting TechStyle Fashion Group, Adam co-founded several successful businesses through eCommerce incubator Intelligent Beauty, including Dermstore.com which was later sold to Target. He has served on the boards of Factor Foods, HomeChef, Winc, and RisRx.

Designer of the Year

Zac Posen  Executive Vice President, Creative Director of Gap Inc. and Chief Creative Officer of Old Navy

As Creative Director of Gap Inc., Zac serves as a cultural curator and creative partner to CEO Richard Dickson, and as Chief Creative Officer of Old Navy, he leads design, merchandising and marketing for the second largest apparel brand in the US., and Gap Inc.’s largest brand.

Zac is an award-winning fashion designer and entrepreneur, celebrated for his technical excellence and body-positive designs. Over 25 years, his extensive career has included red-carpet couture, ready to wear, accessories and costume design. Zac was invited to be a member of France's chambre syndicale de la haute couture and his work has received awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and many others. 

During his tenure at his namesake clothing line, Zac Posen, he also served as Creative Director for Brooks Brothers Womenswear, designed secondary lines at the House of Z LLC, and redesigned uniforms for Delta Airlines. His work has also been featured in the feature film, The Outfit, the Sex and the City franchise, and in Ryan Murphy’s television series “Feud.”

Born and raised in New York, Posen attended London’s Central Saint Martins University.   

Photo credit: Mario Sorrenti

Fashion Maverick

Timberland   Nina Flood, Global Brand President, accepting

Timberland is a global lifestyle brand rooted in a rich heritage of life and work in the outdoors and inspired by a relentless spirit of adventure, craftsmanship, and innovation. Since its founding in 1973, Timberland has become synonymous with weather-ready, heritage style that’s equally at home from city streets to music festivals, runway shows to mountain trails.

It all started with the Original Yellow Boot™. With its bold design and gritty attitude, the Yellow Boot has transcended its humble roots to become a cultural and fashion icon recognized worldwide. Today, Timberland continues to blend rugged durability and refined design across footwear, apparel, and accessories, delivering premium, crafted style to help you stand tall and make your mark.

At the helm of the Timberland brand is Nina Flood, who joined as global brand president in 2023 and quickly became the driving force behind Timberland's vision, turning brand demand into a strong emotional connection with consumers while amplifying cultural relevance. Under her leadership, a talented senior team is energizing the global business landscape, bridging strategy and sales and driving a powerful combination of innovative product design and bold, disruptive marketing. After a decade in marketing at Guess, Nina has spent over 20 years at VF across five brands in three countries, with a proven track record of stabilizing and revitalizing brands in challenging markets. Her creative instincts, strong business acumen, and resilience make her a true turnaround leader.

Global Innovator

Avery Dennison   Bill Toney, Vice President, Advanced Technology, Solutions Group, accepting

For 90 years, Avery Dennison has been at the forefront of innovation, not just keeping up with the apparel industry, but actively shaping it. From developing and deploying RFID technology and pioneering digital identification label technologies to exploring the future of data to unlock value in new ways, Avery Dennison demonstrates its commitment to Making Possible™ with game-changing products and solutions that help advance the industry.

Bill Toney is the global lead for Advanced Technology, Solutions Group at Avery Dennison. He is responsible for driving transformation with the advanced technologies deep science team to ensure client-centric growth, operational readiness and technology capabilities. His main focus is on accelerating intelligent label adoption in the key segments of apparel, general retail, and food, while exploring where emerging technologies like sensor fusion and AI will add value for our clients in the future. 

Trailblazer

Co-Recipients Josue Solano, CEO of BBC International and Seth Campbell, Corporate President of BBC International

BBC International is a global footwear powerhouse built on five decades of innovation, strategic partnerships, and brand-building excellence. Founded in 1975 by industry visionary Bob Campbell, BBC quickly established itself as a leader in licensed and character footwear, becoming known for its entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and trend-setting approach. Today, under the leadership of corporate president Seth Campbell and CEO Josue Solano, the company has evolved into a diversified portfolio, multi-category business spanning entertainment, lifestyle, athletic, and luxury brands. BBC’s world-class operating model—supported by dedicated design, full-service sourcing, and a global distribution network reaching more than 85 countries—continues to power successful partnerships with iconic names including Off-White™, Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, DC Shoes, and more.

With an expansive owned-brand platform featuring Heelys, Simple, DVS, and Feiyue, BBC remains committed to delivering compelling products, emotional storytelling, and best-in-class execution across all channels. The company’s culture—deeply rooted in communication, respect, integrity, passion, and community—has shaped its reputation as a trusted partner to global retailers and licensors alike. BBC’s next chapter is defined by strategic expansion, category diversification, and a forward-looking vision guided by innovation and agility. With scalable infrastructure, a strong leadership team, and an unwavering dedication to quality, BBC International continues to redefine what’s possible in the global footwear market—staying true to the legacy that has shaped its first 50 years while boldly paving the way for the next.

Eco-Steward of the Year

AFIRM   Nathaniel Sponsler, Director, accepting

The Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group (AFIRM) is a global association of the world’s leading apparel and footwear companies established in 2004 with a mission to reduce the use and impact of harmful substances in the apparel and footwear supply chain.

Accepting the award for AFIRM, Director Nathaniel Sponsler is a consultant, attorney, and facilitator of apparel and footwear industry collaborative initiatives to advance chemicals management and product quality testing. He is now in his tenth year facilitating AFIRM after serving as Gap Inc.’s AFIRM representative for nine years while overseeing chemicals management for the iconic U.S. brand.

Icon Award

Ruben Toledo

World-renowned artist Ruben Toledo is being honored with the special Icon Award, recognizing a creative legacy forged alongside his late wife and collaborator, Isabel Toledo. Together, the Toledos conceived the American Image Awards statuette — an exquisite, seven-metal sculptural work symbolizing global unity — that has become one of the most coveted honors in the fashion and apparel industries. This tribute honors Ruben’s enduring influence across art, fashion, and culture, with a heartfelt nod to Isabel’s indelible spirit and vision, which continue to inspire Ruben and define the Awards’ artistic soul

Emcee

Alina Cho

Alina Cho is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and contributor to CBS Sunday Morning, the most watched Sunday morning program in the United States. She is a producer of the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary, Martha, and hosts The Atelier with Alina Cho, a highly respected conversation series with fashion luminaries at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  

Previously, she was a National Correspondent at CNN. Prior to her work at CNN, she held various posts at ABC and CNBC. 

Ms. Cho is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the 2023 recipient of the CFDA Media Award, in honor of Eugenia Sheppard, for her contributions to journalism and the fashion industry, the first Asian American to receive this prestigious honor.

Photo Credit: Inez & Vinoodh