Footwear News Announces Honorees for 2017 FN Achievement Awards
Tuesday, November 28th at IAC Headquarters
Air Jordan 1 x Virgil Abloh Crowned Shoe of the Year
Hailey Baldwin, Alexa Chung, Stan Smith, Ronnie Fieg, Victor Luis, Gianvito Rossi, Malone Souliers, Attico, Birkenstock, Steve Madden Ltd., Puma and Others Revealed as Honorees
FN Recognizes the Best and Brightest Stars in Footwear at the Annual “Shoe Oscars”
New York, NY (October 26, 2017) – Footwear News, the industry bible of the shoe business for more than 70 years, announced today the fashion industry elite who will be honored at the 31st FN Achievement Awards at IAC Headquarters in New York City on November 28. Air Jordan 1 x Virgil Abloh has been revealed as the recipient of the eminent Shoe of the Year award. This year’s event will also honor Hailey Baldwin (Style Influencer of the Year), Alexa Chung (Launch of the Year), Stan Smith (Manolo Blahnik Lifetime Achievement Award), Ronnie Fieg (Collaborator of the Year), Victor Luis (Person of the Year), Gianvito Rossi (Designer of the Year), Malone Souliers (Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent Award), Diane Sullivan (Icon Award for Social Impact), Liz Rodbell and Rick Ausick (Hall of Fame Inductees), along with Attico (Launch of the Year), Birkenstock (Brand of the Year), Steve Madden Ltd. (Company of the Year), and Puma (Marketer of the Year).
The Air Jordan 1 x Virgil Abloh was selected as the 2017 Shoe of the Year — following in the footsteps of Rihanna (2016 Shoe of the Year / FENTY Puma Creeper) and Kanye West (2015 Shoe of the Year / Adidas Yeezy Boost 350). Tennis icon Stan Smith — who received the 2014 Shoe of the Year Award — will be honored with this year’s Manolo Blahnik Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Every year, we work hard to select the brands, designers, and influencers who shape the shoe industry,” said Michael Atmore, FN’s editorial director. “Leading the pack is Virgil Abloh, one of the biggest fashion forces of 2017, who grabs the shoe of the year crown. Abloh’s Air Jordan 1 set off a feeding frenzy that saw sneaker aficionados and celebrities alike crave the limited-edition style. He joins an incredible list of talents at what promises to be a star-studded evening.”
The 2017 FN Achievement Awards will highlight both rising stars and industry legends. The annual event, often referred to as the “Shoe Oscars,” recognizes and celebrates the best and brightest stars in the footwear industry.
Footwear News selects the shoe of the year based on retail sales, consumer feedback, social media prowess and overall buzz. The FN Achievement Awards are proudly sponsored by the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY), Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), Zappos Luxury and Ruffino Wine.
About Footwear News
Footwear News is the leading shoe magazine and website bringing you the latest in industry business, trends, runway and street fashion as well as key influencers.
