of 39th yearly Footwear News Achievement Award (FNAA), It took place last night, December 3rd, at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City. Best known as the “Oscars of Footwear,” the star-studded red carpet and awards ceremony honors the shoe industry’s most influential names, standout moments, biggest brand stories, passionate philanthropists, emerging talent, and industry veterans.
The long-awaited 2025 event is crowned pharrell williams and adidas with the longed for Shoe of the Year Award and designer and philanthropist tommy hilfiger and Lifetime Achievement Awardfrom a lineup of winners shaping the future of fashion, sports and retail.
“The class of 2025 is a powerful combination of legends, newcomers and breakout stars. In one of the most difficult years on record, the FNAA winners list proves that the best players can thrive no matter the circumstances.” Michael Atmore, Chief Brand Officer, Fairchild Media Group, Editor-in-Chief, Footwear News and WWD. “Our 14 award winners are proof that difficult times require inventive leadership and focus. These brilliant success stories have interesting backstories that brought them to the podium.”
“The FNAA is the industry’s highest honor of the year,” he said. Amanda Smith, Fairchild Media Group CEO. “As a market-leading voice, Footwear News celebrates the innovative brands and leaders driving the industry. It’s important that we honor and celebrate their work. This year is bigger and better than ever, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.”
Pharrell Williams, Helen Rashichan Williams, Spike Lee
The 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards winners are:
- Shoe of the Year: virginia addister jellyfish Written by Pharrell Williams
- Lifetime Achievement Award: tommy hilfiger
- Person of the year: Ronnie Fieg Founder, CEO, Creative Director kiss 
- Company of the Year: Wolverine Worldwide, Approved by CEO Chris Hufnagel
- Designer of the Year: Nina Kristen Founder and Creative Director kristen shoe design director dior
- Retailer of the Year: nordstrom accepted by pete nordstrom
- Brands of the year: jordan brandaccepted by Sarah MensahPresident of Jordan Brand
- This year’s collaboration: New Balance x Miu Miu, accepted by Joe PrestonPresident and CEO of New Balance, Roberto MasardiChief Business Development Officer, Prada Group
- Style Influencer of the Year: coco gauff
- This year’s releases: favorite girlaccepted by Sarah and Erin Fosterco-founder
- Emerging Talent Award: Jurgita Direbiciute and Denica Bumbarova, co-founder and creative director, jude
- Hall of Fame:
- michael greenberg Co-founder and President sketchers
- Laura O’Brien Managing Director, atlanta shoe market
- Massimo and Sabrina Bonini co-founder massimo bonini
pusha t and pharrell
Presenters include: pusha t (Shoes of the Year) patrick schwarzenegger (Lifetime Achievement Award), michael strahan (Person of the Year, Ronnie Fieg) Jeff Daniels (Company of the Year, Wolverine Worldwide), june ambrose (Designer of the Year, Nina Kristen) kenneth cole (Retailer of the Year, Nordstrom), nigel sylvester (Brand of the Year, Jordan Brand) coco gauff (Collaboration of the Year, New Balance x Miu Miu), storm lead (Style Influencer of the Year, Coco Gauff) Gayle King (This year’s launch, my favorite girl), olivia palermo (up-and-coming talent, Jude), howie mandel (Hall of Fame – Michael Greenberg), Amina Muaddi (Hall of Fame – Massimo Bonini) and Nicky O’Brien & Scott Conwell (Hall of Fame – Laura O’Brien).
Special guests include:Spike Lee, Christie Brinkley, Saylor Brinkley Cook, Nicky Hilton, Futura, Helen Lasichan Williams, Johannes Huebl And so on.
Pusha T, Michael Atmore, Pharrell Williams
Image courtesy of Footwear News
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Source: Talking With Tami – www.talkingwithtami.com
