Robert Graham Honored At 36th Annual AAFA American Image Awards

WSAA client Robert Graham was honored for Menswear Brand of the Year at the 36th Annual Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) American Image Awards to benefit Special Olympics. The ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 in New York, NY at the Grand Hyatt.

It was an especially emotional dinner, as the opening ceremony featured a procession of Special Olympic athletes who then led the crowd in a moving rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Olympian Michelle Kwan spoke eloquently about the Special Olympics program, as did its CEO Janet Froetscher, who thanked the AAFA for generously donating the evening’s proceeds to this fabulous organization that addresses injustice and intolerance by empowering people with intellectual disabilities.

Marlee Matlin was the event’s stunning, sequined hostess who did a great job of moving the program along at an appropriate pace. The award winners spoke graciously; they included footwear designer Ruthie Davis, Robert Stock and Michael Buckley from Robert Graham (Menswear Designer of the Year), Denim Brand of the Year DL1961, Premium Fiber Brand of the Year Supima Cotton, Humanitarian of the Year Barry Sternlicht of Starwood Capital Group and Man of the Year, Bill Sweedler of Tengram Capital Partners.

Dress code for the event was, for the first time ever, “Festive Black Tie with Sneakers Optional.” Sneakers have never looked so good!

The Annual AAFA American Image Awards stands as an emblem to honor those who have exemplified leadership, excellence, and outstanding achievements within the U.S. apparel and footwear industry. Robert Graham is proud to be affiliated with the philanthropic aspect of the event, where forty percent of the event’s net proceeds will benefit Special Olympics.

Learn more about the 36th Annual AAFA American Image Awards by visiting www.wewear.org.