Footwear News hosted its 33rd Annual Achievement Awards at IAC Building in New York City on Tuesday. Dubbed as the Oscars of shoes, the event celebrates industry legends, rising talents as well as the best shoes, retailers, style influencers, and more.
This year, Dr. Martens 1460 boot was named Shoe of the Year based on “retail sales, consumer feedback, social media prowess, and overall buzz.”
Amina Muaddi took home the Designer of the Year award, fashion designer and Pyer Moss founder Kerby Jean-Raymond won Person of the Year, and Colombian singer J Balvin scored Style Influencer of the Year.
Style Influencer of the Year J Balvin and Person of the Year Kerby Jean-Raymond at the 2019 Footwear News Achievement Awards at the IAC Building in New York City on December 3, 2019
In addition, Puma and sustainable e-commerce shoe brand Rothy shared the Brand of the Year title. VF Corporation—the owner of Vans, Timberland, and The North Face— was awarded Company of the Year.
Retailer of the Year went to Dick’s Sporting Goods, while Collaborator of the Year was given to Tommy Hilfiger.
Donna Karan and Kenneth Cole honored with Icon Award for Social Impact at the 2019 FNAA
Donna Karan and Kenneth Cole received the Icon Award for Social Impact for their joint shoe collection that promotes Haiti’s artisan culture.
Milan-based labels Midnight 00 and Paris Texas were given the Emerging Talent Awards, while Jeffrey Kalinsky, Steve Madden, and Jimmy Choo creative director Sandra Choi were co-inducted into FN’s Hall of Fame.
Steve Madden and Sandra Choi co-inducted into Footwear News’ Hall of Fame 2019
The ceremony also saw a star-studded lineup of presenters, including Adriana Lima, Paris Hilton, and Nicky Hilton. Below are other notable stars, who walked the gray carpet in interesting shoe choices.
1. Christie Brinkley in Off White Crystal Boots
Footwear News’ 2018 Style Influencer Christie Brinkley looked chic in a black trench coat-style dress by Tom Ford. She showed off her legs in the chic LBD that features a waist-cinching belt with a crystal-embellished buckle.
The 65-year-old TV personality was forced out of Dancing With the Stars in September due to an injury during training.
Still wearing a hand brace, she told AOL: “It’s doing okay. It was just a little bit worse than I thought it would be. It’s taken a lot longer [to heal] than I thought it would.”
Christie Brinkley shows off her legs in a Tom Ford coat dress at the 33rd Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards
The model looked great with her voluminous curls cascading over her shoulders. For her face, she applied shimmery eyeshadow with mascara, dark liner, and a swipe of red lipstick.
Christie Brinkley has her voluminous curls cascading over her shoulders
Christie added extra sparkle to her look with a silver YSL purse and a pair of Off White Fall/Winter 2019 boots. Her slouch boots, which retail for over $4,000, are encrusted with sparkling crystals and feature pointed toes and about 4-inch stiletto heels.
Christie Brinkley teams her LBD with crystal-embellished Off White boots
2. Kat Graham in Midnight 00 ‘Shell’ Pumps
Kat Graham presented Midnight 00’s Ada Kokosar with the Emerging Talent award and paid tribute to the designer by wearing one of her signature designs.
The 30-year-old actress was hard to miss in a red floral brocade knee-length dress, which allowed her to show off her Midnight 00 ‘Shell’ pumps.
Kat Graham stuns in a red floral brocade dress
She styled her dark tresses in loose curls and wore glossy red lipstick to match her outfit.
Kat Graham wears her long dark hair in loose curls with glossy red lipstick
The unique playful pumps are covered with polka dot-printed tulle and clear PVC and feature the same polka-dotted tulle and PVC ruffles along the topline.
Kat Graham slips into a pair of Midnight 00 polka dot pumps
Midnight 00 ‘Shell’ Polka-Dot Pumps, $672 at Matches Fashion
3. Ada Kokosar in Midnight 00 Pumps
Ada Kokosar was pictured with Vanessa Hong, Kat Graham, and Caroline Vreeland.
The 39-year-old designer looked hot in a dark green velvet dress by French fashion designer Manfred Thierry Mugler. It features a cleavage-baring off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline, a belted waist, and a straight hem that fell just above her knees.
Vanessa Hong, Kat Graham, Ada Kokosar, and Caroline Vreeland at the 2019 Footwear News Achievement Awards
Ada teamed her outfit with stockings and, of course, with shoes from her own label. She wore the same shoes as Kat Graham, but hers are in a different color combination.
Ada Kokosar wears a pair of pumps from her own footwear label
4. Tove Lo in Dr. Martens ‘Holly’ Shoes
Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Lo honored Dr. Martens in a pair of classic Docs while presenting Dr. Martens Ceo Kenny Wilson with the Shoe of the Year award.
“I still remember when I got my first pair of black Docs. I was around 16, and it was around the time I dyed my hair black, got my first tattoo, told my parents I was going to pursue music despite their many worries and protests,” Tove recalled.
She also said that she was still wearing her very first pair of Docs seven years later on a songwriting trip to London.
“Dr. Martens have always been for young people who are on their own paths, living outside the norm,” she added.
Staying true to her rather quirky fashion sense, the 32-year-old singer wore a loose-fitting mixed-media black dress. It features sweater-style long sleeves, ruffle detail on the bodice, and a softly pleated ankle-length skirt.
Tove Lo goes for gothic chic in a loose-fitting black dress
She wore her dip-dyed blue hair down in loose waves and highlighted her features with subtle smoky metallic eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, soft blush, and lip gloss.
Tove Lo flaunts her septum ring and wears her dip dye blue hair in loose waves
Tove toughened up her look with layers of silver chain necklace, earrings, and a septum ring. For her feet, she selected a pair of Dr. Martens ‘Holly’ shoes in black patent leather.
Tove Lo pairs her frock with Dr. Martens shoes
Dr. Martens ‘Holly’ Black Buttero Shoes, $151 at Zappos and Farfetch
5. Caroline Vreeland in Midnight 00 ‘Miss Pump’ Pumps
Singer-songwriter Caroline Vreeland went for a chic androgynous look, wearing a black velvet tuxedo with a white shirt underneath. She paired the look with tiny shorts, which put her slender pins on display.
Caroline Vreeland opts for androgynous chic in tuxedo short
The German beauty styled her hair in a chic updo with face-framing fringe and wore bronzed eyeshadow and pink lipstick.
Caroline Vreeland wears a chic updo with face-framing fringe and bronzed eyeshadow
She then kept her accessories simple, allowing her hot pink satin pumps from Midnight 00 to do the talking. She slipped into a pair of ‘Miss Pump’ pumps, featuring a strap across the arch and a crescent-shaped buckle.
Caroline Vreeland adds a pop of color to her look with pink satin Midnight 00 pumps
Midnight 00 ‘Miss Pump’ Pumps, $462 – $470 at Matches Fashion
6. Giorgia Tordini in Amina Muaddi ‘Begum’ Pumps
Attico co-founder and creative director Giorgia Tordini was a ray of sunshine on the gray carpet. She wore a cute but sexy yellow mini dress from her clothing label’s Spring/Summer 2020 Collection.
The tiny frock features a deep v-neckline, bishop sleeves, a ruched waist with button fastening along the front, and a flouncy mini skirt.
Giorgia Tordini wears a thigh-grazing mini dress from her label, Attico
She accessorized her look with a crystal-embellished purse and balanced on a pair of Amina Muaddi ‘Begum’ pumps.
These sold-out pumps are topped with crystal-embellished buckle at the toes and feature the designer’s signature sculptural heels.
Giorgia Tordini teams her yellow dress with black Amina Muaddi pumps
7. Vanessa Hong in Midnight 00 Pumps
Influencer and The Haute Pursuit founder Vanessa Hong looked elegant in a brown checked trench coat with black leather cuffs and epaulets.
Vanessa Hong looks chic in a leather-trimmed plaid trench coat
She styled her hair in soft retro curls and highlighted her features with makeup in natural-palette.
Vanessa Hong styles her short hair in soft retro curls
A pair of bronze satin pumps with PVC ruffles from Midnight 00 rounded out her look.
Vanessa Hong pairs her coat with Midnight 00 pumps
8. Aurora James in Brother Vellies Pumps
Brother Vellies founder and creative director Aurora James wore a stunning $8,900 Tom Ford gown at the event. The peach-colored dress features an all-over ruched detail with a structured bodice and crystal-embellished sleeves.
She wore her raven tresses in a half-up half-down style and accentuated her eyes with silver eyeshadow and mascara.
Aurora James slips her curves into an $8,900-Tom Ford dress
The Canadian-born designer kept the rest of her look simple with just a pair of earrings and an anklet. She toted a springbok billfold bag and balanced on a pair of brown pumps from her label, Brother Vellies.
Aurora James wears a pair of pumps from her fashion label
Brother Vellies Pointed Toe Pumps, $595 at Farfetch
Credit: Derrick Salters / WENN