AAFA’S PERSON OF THE YEAR JOSEPH ABBOUD TALKS AMERICAN DESIGN

Joseph Abboud will receive the Person of the Year award at this year’s AAFA American Image Awards dinner on May 24. MR asked him about the significance of this particular honor, and Abboud spoke about the new power of American design in the international fashion community and about the importance of giving back.

“It’s been an interesting time for me as recently appointed Chief Creative Director at Tailored Brands: our Joseph Abboud business is generating more than $500 million in sales,” says Abboud. “But the year’s real highlight, for me personally, has been the re-launch of our runway collection. Our fall ‘16 runway show took place in January and received 415 million media impressions. It’s the culmination of bringing the brand back to its original DNA and I couldn’t be more proud that, as an American designer, we are no longer stepchildren to European designers.”

Abboud add: “I’m also proud of AAFA for bringing together the various components of American design and for giving back to those in need. This year’s event proceeds will go to Mercy Ships, an incredible organization to which I am honored to contribute.”

The 2016 AAFA American Image Awards will also honor BBC International LLC as its Company of the Year; Shinola Detroit as its Retailer of the Year; Christian Siriano as its Designer of the Year; and Iris Apfel will receive its Fashion Maverick award.

To attend, contribute or get more info on this year’s event, please call (212) 696-1100 Ext. 22 or email americanimage@wewear.org.