When fashion flocks back to New York for the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit in October, industry executives will have the opportunity to toast some of their own at the Honors gala on Oct. 28.
Sarah Burton, who nailed her debut at Givenchy this year after a long career at Alexander McQueen, will receive the WWD Honor for Women’s Designer of the Year.
Willy Chavarria, who moved his star-studded show to Paris this year for his brand’s 10th anniversary, will receive the WWD Honor for Men’s Designer of the Year.
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And Patrice Louvet, president and chief executive officer of Ralph Lauren Corp., will take home the WWD Edward Nardoza Honor for CEO Creative Leadership. Over the last eight years, Louvet has helped sharpen and enhance the American brand, building in the kind of agility needed to not only adjust to the pandemic, but to come out stronger and to keep that momentum up.
They all will be in good company accepting their kudos.
At the ceremony, held the first night of the summit, as reported, Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti will also receive the WWD John B. Fairchild Honor, which celebrates people with careers of creativity and vision that have left an enduring impact on the global fashion industry.
The two-day summit will also mark WWD’s 115th anniversary, exploring the theme of “Powering Progress: Past, Present, Future” with keynote addresses and panels from heavyweights across the industry, digesting the major trends shaping fashion today — from the luxury department store reinvention at Saks to the impact of tariffs and beyond.
Additionally, WWD will honor the companies and brands that have navigated the best over the past year and are well-positioned to power into the future, including:
Tapestry Inc. — Company of the Year, Public
Tapestry somehow breezed through the turmoil of its on-and-then-off-again deal to buy Capri Holdings and succeeded in continuing to modernize and grow the Coach business, which has become a tech-savvy powerhouse.
Veronica Beard — Company of the Year, Private
Cofounded 15 years ago by sister-in-laws Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard, Veronica Beard has been steadily expanding into its potential, adding new product categories, opening more stores and adding to its aura. In a business climate that has many looking past apparel brands when it comes to investments, Veronica Beard is a rare growth story.
Tag Heuer — Watch Brand of the Year
Tag Heuer has been sharpening its focus, upping its ambition and moving fast — very fast as the title sponsor this year at the Formula 1 in Monaco this year. The event had the brand everywhere as Naomi Campbell, Dua Lipa, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, actress Simone Ashley and many more took in the race.
Tiffany & Co. — Jewelry Brand of the Year
Tiffany & Co. has managed to be omnipresent this year — from the debut of its Blue Book 2025: Sea of Wonder in New York City to its “Legendary Legacy” exhibit in Bangkok to Milan and Tokyo, where the brand opened a flagship in the Italian fashion capital and a Ginza store with a facade that’s 66 meters high, all Tiffany blue.
Interparfums — Beauty Company of the Year, Public
In a year in which the fragrance category is surging, Interparfums has been a key player, surpassing the $1 billion mark in sales in 2023, and its momentum continues to build. The company is driving key licenses like Coach, DKNY, Jimmy Choo and more, while also snapping up new ones — most recently Longchamp — and even launching its own collection of fine fragrances named after the avenue where its Paris headquarters is located.
Peach & Lily — Beauty Company of the Year, Private
Originally launched as a K-beauty e-commerce site by founder Alicia Yoon, Peach & Lily debuted its own product line in 2018. Today, Peach & Lily is the number-two selling prestige skin care brand at Ulta Beauty, and the fastest growing there, as well.
— With contributions from Jenny B. Fine