The Femmy Awards return to Manhattan Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday night after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. More than 300 people ditched their nightwear and donned their fanciest outfits as they flocked to the posh Midtown venue for a night of drinks, dinner and dancing hosted by rock band Betty.
After a two-year hiatus induced by the pandemic, the Femmy Awards return to New York. Attendees dressed in their best attire for a night of dining, drinks and dancing.
Photo courtesy of ANDREI JACKETS
“The energy is incredible,” Tina Wilson, president of the nonprofit Underfashion Club, as well as vice president and creative director of Hue Brands, told WWD. “Seeing so many people I haven’t seen in two and a half years, everyone is so happy and excited.”
The Femmy Awards and annual gala were held at the exclusive Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan.
Kellie Ell / World Water Day
The Femmy Awards gala and awards, produced by the Underfashion Club, is an annual fundraiser that honors the leaders of the intimate apparel industry. Proceeds from the event support scholarships for students.
“The last time we saw each other was right before we realized what was going on,” Wilson added, referring to the February 2020 Femmy Awards, which took place in New York a month before the awards began. closures in the United States. But it’s a new energy [now]. Even the honorees: there are new categories, new ways of looking at the world, looking at our industry.”
David Heath, CEO of Bombas, accepted the “humanitarian award” on behalf of his firm at this year’s Femmy Awards.
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Those categories and award winners include Rihanna’s wild x fenty intimate apparel brand, which was awarded the “brand disruptor award”; the brand of socks and underwear Bombas, which received the “humanitarian award” for its work donating socks and other clothing to homeless people; market research firm The NPD Group, which took home the “industry science award”; and underwear startup Parade, which received the “rising star award.” In addition, the Komar family, which manufactures sleepwear and lingerie under brands including Anne Klein, Ellen Tracy, Le Mystère, On Gossamer and Carole Hochman, was honored with the “generations award.”
Rock band Betty hosted this year’s Femmy Awards.
Photo courtesy of ANDREI JACKETS
“These are the strengths that will carry us into the future as an industry,” Wilson told the crowd, which included founders, CEOs and other senior leadership members from brands like Cosabella, Commando, Chantelle, Delta Galil, Wacoal, Natori. , Panty Promise and Eurovet Americas, the company that produces the Curve trade shows — as they sipped cocktails and nibbled on their three-course meals.
Christiane Pendarvis, co-president and chief merchandising and design director for Savage x Fenty, accepted the “Brand Disruptor Award” on Savage’s behalf.
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“There was a little more excitement tonight to see people,” he said. Kerry O’Brien, founder of Commando, CEO and main designer, who arrived accompanied by her husband. “People want to see each other, hug each other, talk to each other, look each other in the eye.
“It’s been three years,” he added.
Cami Téllez, founder and CEO of underwear startup Parade, received the “rising star award.”
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Kristen Classi-Zummo, director and industry analyst covering fashion apparel at market research firm The NPD Group, agreed.
“It’s exciting to be back here in person and see everyone dressed up and going out for the night,” he said.
Marshal Cohen, senior industry adviser to The NPD Group, accepted the firm’s “industry science award” with a speech from his avatar and a trip through the metaverse, while Rihanna made a surprise appearance via a prerecorded video.
The scene at this year’s Femmy Awards.
Kellie Ell / World Water Day
“We have a Femmy type,” said the megastar and new mom on screen. “On behalf of the entire Savage x Fenty family, we are truly honored to be recognized. This would be impossible without your passion and hard work. And for our customers, you are the muses of this brand. So thank you for inspiring us, always. And more to come.”
Christiane Pendarvis, co-president and chief marketing and design officer for Savage x Fenty, added at the event that a Femmy is a “great honor” for the four-year company.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized by the industry,” he told WWD. “It’s great to have consumer validation and see people get excited about your brand. But it’s kind of a different level when the industry you’re a part of also takes notes. It feels almost more special in some ways.”
Marshal Cohen, Senior Industry Advisor for The NPD Group, accepted the company’s “Industry Science Award.”
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Cami Téllez, founder and CEO of underwear kick-off showechoed Pendarvis’s sentiments.
“I’ve probably worked here the shortest amount of time than anyone in the room and I’m really excited to be here now after three years in the industry,” said Tellez, who took home the “rising star award.” “We are at a point where we feel very honored to continue to contribute to the category.”
Winners of the 2021 Fashion Institute of Technology Student Design Contest were also recognized at the event.
The Komar family accepted the “generations award” at this year’s Femmy Awards. From left, David Komar, Chief Marketing Officer of Komar Brands, and Charlie Komar, CEO of Komar Brands.
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Charlie Komar, CEO of Komar Brands, and David Komar, Chief Marketing Officer of Komar Brands (who are also cousins), walked onstage together to accept the final award of the evening, the “Generations Award.”
“It’s really wonderful to be in a room full of all these people from our industry,” David Komar told the crowd. It’s been a long time since we’ve been in a room like this. We have been on Zoom; We’ve been apart [Now] we got to dress. We came to wear pants, not pajamas, which serve us both ways.”
The Femmy Awards return to New York. From left: Sapna Palep of Journelle and Cosabella, Tina Wilson of Underfashion Club and Guido Campello of Journelle and Cosabella.
Photo courtesy of ANDREI JACKETS
This year’s awards show also marks the 64th anniversary of the Underfashion Club. The event ended with a DJ set, Savage x Fenty robes to take home, and dancing late into the night.
“I’m so excited to be here because I’m just being introduced to this world and I love that it’s such a deep culture,” she said. Roman Sipe, creative director of the men’s division and Cosabella and Journelle. “And to be at an awards show that only focuses on an industry that I’m so in love with is just amazing.”
Source: wwd.com