Jessica Simpson, Storm Reid, Howard White and Others Honored at 2023 FNAAs

Layla Ilchi
·3 min read

The 37th Footwear News Achievement Awards packed Cipriani South Street in New York City on Wednesday night, drawing top executives, celebrities and prominent figures from across the footwear industry.

The ceremony honored celebrities such as Jessica Simpson and Storm Reid; executives like Roger Vivier creative director Gherardo Felloni, designer Brandon Blackwood, Jordan Brand’s vice president of affairs Howard White; and companies like Kith, Hoka, Veja, Zappos, Authentic Brands Group and many others. Notable presenters included Martha Stewart, Snoop Dogg, Shaquille O’Neal, Lea Michele and others.

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Reid, who was presented with the style influencer award, reflected on her collaborations in the fashion industry during her acceptance speech, naming her partnership with New Balance as a “dream come true.”

“As a young Black woman in fashion, I recognize the profound impact we have in culture,” she said. “Our artistry radiates globally from our communities and I am immensely proud to be contributing to this narrative. Collaborating with brands like New Balance has been a dream come true. The sneaker that we crafted together is more than just footwear, it’s a reflection of my identity. Working with New Balance mirrors the blessing that fashion has showered upon my life.”

Simpson was awarded the night’s icon award, honoring the actress and musician for her work with her fashion label.

“When I got this call about being an icon, I was like ‘I’m too young for that,’ and then I did the math and was like, ‘Jessica you’re 43, you can be an icon,’” she said. “I’ve been trying to wrap my soul around understanding an icon and I think an icon is just somebody who was born with a purpose, and the determination to fulfill that purpose, no matter what it may be.”

Model Kate Upton presented the lifetime achievement award to Sam and Libby Edelman for their work with their Sam Edelman shoe label. During their joint acceptance speech, Sam Edelman spoke about how he’s grateful to have worked alongside his wife and children throughout his career.

“Forty-five years in a business that I love, with people that I love — how lucky is that?” he said. “There are so many people here tonight who have helped us, believed in us, challenged us and fought for us through different chapters of our story.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world because every day not only do I get to work with 65, 70 people that I consider family that I truly love, but I get to get up in the morning and work with Libby and my son Jesse and that’s just an amazing, exciting thing for me. This industry has been really good to my family.”

White, who received the hall of fame award, spoke about his family’s influence on his career and shared wise words for achieving success in his acceptance speech.

“Every last one of you in here, take pride in what you do because somebody is getting hope from what you do,” he said. “Each of you that have been successful in your life. If it’s a mama, a daddy, a grandmama, a granddaddy, an aunt, an uncle, a cousin, a neighbor, a teacher, a coach or a mentor, and they gave you the ability to rise, they were the wings beneath you to fly. They believed in you when you didn’t have the courage to believe in yourself.”

Among the other awards presented were: Person of the year to Skechers president and cofounder Michael Greenberg, company of the year to Authentic Brands Group, shoe of the year to Adidas Samba, designer of the year to Felloni, retailer of the year to Kith, brand of the year to Hoka, collection of the year to Salehe Bembury for Crocs, collaboration of the year to Jae Tips for Saucony Originals, launch of the year to Blackwood, sustainability leader to Veja, social impact award to Zappos, emerging talent award to Ancuta Sarca and the hall of fame award to Saks’ chief merchandising officer Tracy Margolies.

Launch Gallery: Inside the Footwear News Achievement Awards 2023

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