Affectionately known as the “Shoe Oscars,” the Footwear News Achievement Awards have been a pivotal event for the footwear industry for nearly 40 years. Since 1986, the FNAAs has recognized the most influential designers, brands, executives, and cultural figures through the years.
Beyond celebrating individual achievements, the fete has helped set future fashion and retail trends, often signaling the next big movements in the market. Winning is more than just a trophy. The honor has boosted brands’ reputations, driven sales, attracted new partnerships, and opened the doors to major collaborations.
The event also highlights how footwear intersects with broader cultural conversations, honoring not only style and innovation but also leadership in sustainability, activism and inclusivity. For the industry’s top players, the FNAAs offer a rare opportunity to come together, build connections, and celebrate the powerful role footwear plays in fashion and culture today.
See all the winners from years past, below:
2024
Lifetime Achievement: Kenneth Cole
Icon Award: Martha Stewart
Person: Bjørn Gulden
Company: New Balance
Designer: Edgardo Osorio
Retailer: JD Sports
Brand: Larroudé, On
Style Influencer: Angel Reese
Icon Award for Social Impact: Skechers
Collaboration: A$AP Rocky x Puma
Launch: Sneex
Emerging Talent: Philéo Landowski
Hall of Fame: Susan Itzkowitz, Tacey Powers, Dave Powers
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2023
Lifetime Achievement: Sam & Libby Edelman
Icon Award: Jessica Simpson
Person: Michael Greenberg
Company: Authentic Brands Group
Shoe: Adidas Samba
Designer: Gherardo Felloni
Retailer: Kith
Brand: Hoka
Collection: Salehe Bembury x Crocs
Style Influencer: Storm Reid
Social Impact: Zappos
Sustainability Leadership: Veja
Collaboration: Jae Tips x Saucony Grid Azura 2000
Launch: Brandon Blackwood
Emerging Talent: Ancuta Sarca
Hall of Fame: Howard White, Tracy Margolies
2022
Lifetime Achievement: Christian Louboutin
Person: Dr. D’Wayne Edwards
Company: Skechers USA Inc.
Shoe: Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 by Virgil Abloh
Designer: Amina Muaddi
Retailer: Kith
Brands: Merrell, Jordan Brand
Collection: Puma x Dua Lipa Flutur Drop 2
Social Impact: Brandice Daniel
Sustainability Leadership: Puma
Collaboration: Manolo Blahnik for Birkenstock
Launch: Lululemon
Emerging Talent: Jessica Rich
Hall of Fame: Diane Sullivan, Scott Meden
2021
Person: Ronnie Fieg
Icon Award: The Hiltons
Company: Authentic Brands Group
Shoe: Crocs Classic Clog
Designer: Jerry Lorenzo
Retailer: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Brands: Hoka One One, On
Style Influencer: Law Roach
Collaboration: A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 3
Social Impact: Phillip Lim
Sustainability Leadership: Adidas
Launches: Larroudé, Saysh
Emerging Talent: Titi Adesa
Hall of Fame: Blake Krueger
2020
Person: Aurora James
Company: Deckers Brands
Shoe: Nike Dunk
Designer: Salehe Bembury
Retailer: The Whitaker Group
Brands: Birkenstock, Crocs
Athletic Brand: New Balance
Style Influencer: Cardi B
Collaboration: Amina Muaddi for Fenty
Social Impact: D’Wayne Edwards
Sustainability Leadership: Timberland
Launch: Alfredo Piferi
Emerging Talent: Andrea Wazen
Hall of Fame: Dick Johnson, Sergio Rossi
2019
Lifetime Achievement: Bob Campbell
Person: Kerby Jean-Raymond
Company: VF Corp.
Shoe: Dr. Martens 1460
Designer: Amina Muaddi
Retailer: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Brands: Puma, Rothy’s
Collaborator: Tommy Hilfiger
Style Influencer: J Balvin
Social Impact: Kenneth Cole, Donna Karan
Emerging Talent: Midnight 00, Paris Texas
Hall of Fame: Sandra Choi, Jeffrey Kalinsky, Steve Madden
2018
Lifetime Achievement: Bruce Nordstrom
Person: Diane Sullivan
Company: Authentic Brands Group
Shoe: Fila Disruptor 2
Designer: Tabitha Simmons
Brand: Allbirds
Style Influencers: Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel, Sailor Brinkley-Cook
Collaboration: Reebok by Pyer Moss
Social Impact: Rebecca Minkoff
Icon Award for Philanthropy: FFANY Shoes on Sale
Launch: Amina Muaddi
Emerging Talent: Mike Amiri, Chloe Gosselin
Hall of Fame: Marc Fisher, Pierre Hardy, Peter Harris
2017
Lifetime Achievement: Stan Smith
Person: Victor Luis
Company: Steven Madden Ltd.
Shoe: Air Jordan 1 x Virgil Abloh
Designer: Gianvito Rossi
Brand: Birkenstock
Style Influencer: Hailey Baldwin
Collaboration: Ronnie Fieg
Social Impact: Diane Sullivan
Marketer: Puma
Launches: Alexa Chung, Attico
Emerging Talent: Malone Souliers
Hall of Fame: Rick Ausick, Liz Rodbell
2016
Lifetime Achievement: Aldo Bensadoun
Person: Mark King
Company: Foot Locker Inc.
Shoe: Fenty Puma Creeper by Rihanna
Designer: Paul Andrew
Retailer: Kith
Brands: Gucci, Schutz
Icon Award: Iris Apfel
Style Influencer: Chiara Ferragni
Collaboration: Vetements x Manolo Blahnik
Social Impact: John Varvatos
Marketer: Nike
Launch: Daya by Zendaya
Emerging Talent: Nicolo Giannico Beretta
Hall of Fame: René Caovilla, Linda Fargo
2015
Lifetime Achievement:Robert Greenberg
Company: Foot Locker Inc.
Shoe: Adidas Yeezy Boost
Designer: Edgardo Osorio
Retailer: Mytheresa.com
Brand: Under Armour
Style Influencer: Alexa Chung
Collaboration: Bee Line x Timberland
Social Impact: Prabal Gurung
Marketer: Christian Louboutin
Emerging Talent: Aurora James
Hall of Fame: Libby Edelman, Sam Edelman, Jim Estepa
2014
Person: Kevin Plank
Company: Skechers USA Inc.
Shoe: Adidas Stan Smith
Designer: Giuseppe Zanotti
Retailer: Level Shoe District
Brand: Vans
Style Influencer: Nicole Richie
Newsmaker: Jimmy Choo
Marketer: Stuart Weitzman
Launch: SJP
Emerging Talent: Alessandra Lanvin
Hall of Fame: Joe Moore, Sonny Shar
2013
Lifetime Achievement: Vince Camuto
Person: Diane Sullivan
Company: VF Corp.
Designer: Gianvito Rossi
Retailer: Kurt Geiger
Brands: Birkenstock, Skechers Go
Newsmaker: Hudson’s Bay Co.
Marketer:Salvatore Ferragamo
Launch: Paul Andrew
Emerging Talent: Aquazzura, Louis Leeman
Hall of Fame: Debbie Ferrée, Bob Goldman
2012
Lifetime Achievement: Stuart Weitzman
Company: Wolverine World Wide Inc.
Designer: Charlotte Olympia Dellal
Retailer: Macy’s
Athletic Retailer: Foot Locker
Brands: Brooks, Sam Edelman
Style Influencer: Tabitha Simmons
Social Impact: Bob Campbell
Marketer: Rebecca Minkoff
Emerging Talent: Sophia Webster
Hall of Fame: Ron Frasch, Ron Fromm, Stephen Rubin
2011
Lifetime Achievement: Manolo Blahnik
Company: Steven Madden Ltd.
Designer: Nicholas Kirkwood
Retailers: HSN, Ron White Shoes
Brands: Ugg Australia, Vince Camuto
Social Impact: Kenneth Cole
Marketer: Adidas
Launches: Brian Atwood, Rachel Zoe
Emerging Talent: Burak Uyan
Hall of Fame: Patricia Field, Jim Tarica, Larry Tarica
2010
Person: Christian Louboutin
Company: The Jones Group
Designer: Brian Atwood
Retailers: Selfridges, The Tannery
Brands: Toms Shoes, Vibram
Marketer: Reebok
Launch: Ivanka Trump
Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent: Charlotte Olympia Dellal
Philanthropy Award: Soles4Souls
2009
Person: Tony Hsieh
Company: Steven Madden Ltd.
Designer: Giuseppe Zanotti
Retailers: Kohl’s, Gilt Groupe
Brands: Sam Edelman, Sperry Top-Sider
Marketer: Iconix Brand Group Inc.
Launches: Florsheim by Duckie Brown, Skechers’ Shape-ups, Tabitha Simmons
Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent: Alexandre Birman
2008
Person: Angel Martinez
Company: Brown Shoe Co.
Designer: Nicholas Kirkwood
Retailers: Target, David Z, Net-a-porter.com
Brands: Jimmy Choo, Hunter
House: Lanvin
Marketer: Nike
Launches: Jerome C. Rousseau, Under Armour
Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent: Chrissie Morris
Green Award: Brooks
Philanthropy Award: Blake Mycoskie
2007
Person: Matt Rubel
Company: Deckers Outdoor Corp.
Designer: Miuccia Prada
Retailers: Saks Fifth Avenue, Footcandy
Newsmaker: Crocs
Brands: Tory Burch, Merrell
House: PPR
Marketer: Macy’s
Launches: Jonathan Kelsey, Mary Norton
Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent: Max Kibardin
Green Award: Timberland
2006
Person: Neil Cole
Company: Steven Madden Ltd.
Designer: Pierre Hardy
Retailers: DSW, Hawley Lane Shoes
Newsmaker: Federated
Brands: Converse, Vans
House: Michael Kors
Marketer: Payless ShoeSource
Launches: Piperlime, Starbury
Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent: Courtney Crawford
2005
Person: Jeffrey Kalinsky
Company: Adidas
Designer: Christian Louboutin
Retailers: Nordstrom, Kitson, Zappos.com
Brands: Crocs, Lacoste
Marketer: Aldo, Keds
Launches: Vince Camuto, Imagine by Vince Camuto, Jessica Simpson; L.A.M.B.
Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent: Nicholas Kirkwood
2004
Person: Matt Serra
Company: Cole Haan
Designer: Bruno Frisoni
Retailers: Bloomingdale’s, Sportie LA
Brands: Frye, Jimmy Choo
Marketer: Adidas
Launches: Belle by Sigerson Morrison, H Hilfiger
Vivian Infantino Emerging Talent: Ashley Dearborn
2003
Person: Killick Datta
Company: Brown Shoe Co.
Designer: Manolo Blahnik
Retailers: The Finish Line, Neiman Marcus, The Tannery
Brands: Reebok, Ugg Australia
House: Louis Vuitton
Marketer: Kenneth Cole
Launches: Keen, Medium
2002
Person: Stuart Weitzman
Company: GBMI
Designer: Holly Dunlap
Retailers: Alife Rivington Club, Bergdorf Goodman
Brands: Puma, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Marketer: Reebok
2001
Person: Rhonda Brown
Company: Steve Madden
Designer: Sigerson Morrison
Retailers: Diavolina, Shoe Carnival
Brands: Coach, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Naturalizer
Marketer: Rockport
Launches: Bullboxer, Kaki Daniels
Internet Business: Global Sports
2000
Person: Michael Greenberg
Company: Vans
Designer: Giuseppe Zanotti
Retailers: Scoop, Sigerson Morrison
Brand: Camper
Marketer: Cole Haan
Launches: Jill Stuart, John Varvatos
Bold Moves: Kerquelen, Nike Shox, Via Spiga
1999
Person: Steven Douglass
Designer: Goffredo Fantini
Retailers: Banana Republic, Jeffrey
Brands: Merrell, Steve Madden
Marketer: Tod’s
Launches: Kate Spade, Naked Feet
Bold Moves: Nike, Nordstrom
1998
Person: Neil Cole
Company: Skechers USA
Designer: Ernesto Esposito
Retailers: Aldo Group, Offspring, Tootsi Plohound
Brand: Adidas America
Marketer: Vans
Launch: Oakley
Supplier: DuPont Lycra
Bold Moves: Birkenstock Footprint Sandals, Nicholas Deakins for NDUK, Donald J Pliner
1997
Person: Angel Martinez
Company: New Balance
Designer: Dolce & Gabbana
Retailers: Fred Segal Feet, Journeys
Supplier: Jones & Vining
Bold Moves: Buckle My Shoe, Candie’s, Just for Feet
1996
Person: Kenneth Cole
Companies: Clarks Co., Fila USA
Designer: Miuccia Prada
Retailers: Chernin’s Shoes, Sears
Supplier: Prime Tanning Co.
1995
Person: Tom Clarke, Phil Knight
Company: Wolverine World Wide
Designer: Tom Ford
Retailers: Just for Feet, Larry’s Shoes
Supplier: W.L. Gore & Assoc.
1994
Person: Noel Hord
Company: Ecco USA Inc.
Designer: Nathalie Marciano
Retailers: Nine West Retail, Chernin’s Shoes
Supplier: Quabaug Corp.
1993
Person: Bill Boettge
Company: Jimlar Corp.
Designer: Ralph Lauren
Retailers: Boscov’s Department Store, Overland Trading
Supplier: Faytex Corp.
1992
People: “The Year of the Women” (Ann Aiken, Anavel Caparros, Hilary Fritz, Joan Helpern, Susan Itzkowitz, Gail Rothwell, Merle Sloss, Kathy Taylor)
Company: Deckers Corp.
Designer: Manolo Blahnik
Retailers: Bakers-Leeds, J. Stephens, Saxon Shoes, Shoe Station, The Tannery
Supplier: Starensier
1991
People: Sam and Libby Edelman
Company: Fisher Camuto Group
Designer: Paolo Battacchi
Retailers: Wal-Mart, Bob Ellis Shoes
Supplier: Implus Corp.
1990
Person: Jules Schneider
Company: K-Swiss
Designer: Robert Clergerie
Retailer: The Wild Pair Sales Representative: Larry Rich
Supplier: Freelonic
1989
Person: Phil Knight
Company: Sam & Libby
Designer: Anne Klein
Retailer: Magnifete
Sales Representative: Mike Goodnough
1988
Person: Robert Campeau
Company: L.A. Gear
Designer: Fiamma Ferragamo
Retailer: Avventura
Sales Representative: Larry Garrett
Supplier: Prime Tanning Co.
1987
Person: Bruce Nordstrom
Company: Timberland
Designer: Robert Clergerie
Retailer: Macy’s
Importer: Intershoe
Sales Representative: Gordon Owens
1986
Person: Paul Fireman
Company: Allen-Edmonds
Designer: Joan Helpern
Retailer: Foot Locker
Importer: Fisher Camuto