More FNAA 2024 Winners Revealed: New Balance, Bjorn Gulden, Plus Other Standouts
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The big night is almost here! FN today revealed more of its honorees for the FN Achievement Awards (FNAAs), the industry’s most-anticipated event of the year.
The 38th annual awards ceremony will be held Dec. 4 in New York. As previously announced, designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Kenneth Cole will be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor that has been bestowed on designers and executives including Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Sam and Libby Edelman, Bruce Nordstrom and Vince Camuto.
In addition, FN will also highlight the year’s many other success stories, including brands and companies that outshone all the others with winning strategies, plus the creators and entrepreneurs who dazzled with their unique visions.
“Straddling the line between an exclusive, industry insider event and a starry showcase for the shoe-loving celebrity world, the Footwear News Achievement Awards has a long and storied history of documenting the powerful intersection of sports, fashion and pop culture,” said Michael Atmore, editorial director of Footwear News and chief brand officer of Fairchild Media Group. “The 2024 class of winners reflects incredible innovation, design prowess and business acumen. We are honored to reward the leaders, the brands and the emerging talents that have shaped the year in shoes and celebrate the powerful and inspiring stories behind their achievements.”
Each year, the FNAAs — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — celebrate footwear’s influential style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans.
Below is a list of the 2024 award recipients. Stay tuned for more FNAA winners, which will be announced in the coming days.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kenneth Cole
For more than four decades, Kenneth Cole has been committed to fashion with a mission. Using his eponymous brand’s powerful platform, he has tirelessly championed numerous social justice movements, including HIV/AIDS awareness, gun control, climate change and, most recently, ending mental health stigmas. His early efforts created a model that others have since followed.
Company of the Year: New Balance
New Balance couldn’t miss in 2024. Both its heritage and collaboration sneakers topped every must-have list, it scored major Olympic moments with partners like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas, and now, thanks to a new WNBA deal, New Balance will take a key role in one of the hottest sports leagues in America.
Person of the Year: Bj?rn Gulden
Since rejoining Adidas in early 2023 as its chief executive officer, Bj?rn Gulden has helped steer the German athletic giant through a remarkable turnaround. An inventory cleanup and new hyperlocal strategy helped improve financials faster than anyone expected. And when its “terrace shoes” exploded in popularity, the company was ready to capitalize on the demand.
Retailer of the Year: JD Sports
“Bigger is better” seems to be the approach for U.K.-based retail company JD Sports. In addition to opening 85 new stores in the first half of this year, it completed its acquisition of American chain Hibbett in July, which added 1,179 stores to the total portfolio and made North America its largest geographic market. As it works to transition Finish Line stores to JD Sports locations, the company is poised to grow its U.S. mindshare even further.
Designer of the Year: Edgardo Osorio
In an era when many independent shoe designers are facing significant challenges and have scaled back, Aquazzura founder and creative director Edgardo Osorio is forging ahead. His 12-year-old brand continues to drive growth with retail expansion in key markets. And Aquazzura has become a red-carpet mainstay, with everyone from Beyoncé and Meghan Markle to Angelina Jolie wearing the brand this year.
Brand of the Year: On
The Swiss athletic brand continues its strong standing in the ultra-competitive running market, growing global sales 24 percent in the first half of this year to 1.08 billion Swiss francs (or $1.24 billion at current exchange). And its already red-hot fashion cred got an additional boost this year from its collaboration with Loewe and a new partnership with actress and style influencer Zendaya.
Brand of the Year: Larroudé
During a time when many independent designers have closed or scaled back their businesses, Larroudé has defied the odds, racking up $30 million in sales in 2023, less than three years since its launch in 2020. Chief creative officer Marina Larroudé and her husband, chief executive officer Ricardo Larroudé, honed a successful strategy built around buzzy collaborations, product freshness and a faster DTC model.
Icon Award for Social Impact: Skechers
The company will be honored for its multi-faceted philanthropic efforts, most notably the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, which has made an incredible impact on the lives of children with special needs and the broader public education sector over the past 16 years. In addition, Skechers has been a huge supporter of animal welfare, donating millions through the Bobs brand to help shelter pets. And, of course, there’s no bigger supporter of the Manhattan Beach community than Skechers.
Launch of the Year: Sneex
She already built a billion-dollar brand from the ground up. Now Spanx founder Sara Blakely is disrupting the footwear industry with her Sneex brand. The buzzed-about launch in August certainly got people talking. And the shoes gained a place on the coveted Oprah’s Favorite Things holiday list (likely with help from super fan Gayle King). Blakely’s patented design features a sneaker-stiletto hybrid (cheekily called hy-heels) that’s made in Spain and features a 78mm heel. The goal of the design is to address major pain points in a traditional high heel.
Emerging Talent Award: Philéo Landowski
At just 22 years old, French designer Philéo Landowski has quickly established a reputation as a go-to creative voice in footwear, collaborating with Comme des Gar?ons, Salomon, Adidas and many others. Additionally, his namesake unisex brand has grown over 10 seasons, now distributed in 14 countries with close to 40 doors, including Kith and Dover Street Market.
Hall of Fame: Tacey Powers
Tacey Powers joined Nordstrom in 1981, starting on the sales floor and working her way up to the executive level, where she now serves as executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes. In addition to overseeing the retailer’s stores in the U.S., she also has been committed to mentorship and giving back to the industry as a board member for Two Ten Footwear Foundation and Footwear Retailers and Distributors of America.
Hall of Fame: Susan Itzkowitz
In 2004, Susan Itzkowitz partnered with Marc Fisher to launch a new shoe venture, which has grown into a powerful player in the fashion footwear business, encompassing 14 brands, including licensed collections for Calvin Klein, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Hunter and others. And as a longtime board member for Two Ten Footwear Foundation, she has spearheaded efforts to increase representation and opportunities for women in the industry.
Hall of Fame: Dave Powers
Dave Powers retired from his role as chief executive officer of Deckers Brands in August, capping off an incredible 12-year run with the company. He joined Deckers as president of direct-to-consumer in August 2012, rising through the ranks to become CEO in 2016. Under his tenure, Deckers experienced explosive growth, led by its Ugg and Hoka businesses. For its last fiscal year, the company scored $4.3 billion in sales.
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