On January 12, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announced that Zac Posen has been named Designer of the Year at the 2026 American Image Awards. The awards honor leadership, innovation, and partnership across the fashion industry, and 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the American Image Awards.
Posen currently serves as Creative Director of Gap Inc. and Chief Creative Officer of Old Navy.
At Gap Inc., he works closely with CEO Richard Dickson as a cultural curator and creative partner, helping to shape the brand’s creative direction. At Old Navy, he oversees design, merchandising, and marketing. Under his leadership, Old Navy has grown into the largest brand within the Gap Inc. portfolio and the second-largest apparel brand in the United States. His unique position at the intersection of American fashion, culture, and commerce contributed to his selection for the award.
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The awards gala will take place on April 21 at Gotham Hall in New York City, with the CFDA Foundation serving as the charitable beneficiary. The evening will be hosted by Emmy Award–winning journalist Alina Cho. In 2023, Cho became the first Asian American to receive the CFDA Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard.
Widely known as a former national correspondent for CNN, Cho has earned acclaim for her incisive storytelling at the intersection of fashion and culture. She is also a producer of the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary Martha and the host of The Atelier with Alina Cho, a conversation series presented at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Additional 2026 American Image Awards Honorees
The AAFA also announced the following recipients for the 2026 American Image Awards:
- Fabletics: Company of the Year
- Avery Dennison: Global Innovator
- Timberland: Fashion Maverick
- AFIRM Group: Eco-Steward of the Year
- Seth Campbell and Josue Solano (BBC International): Trailblazer Award
- Ruben Toledo: Icon Award
Commenting on the milestone year, AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar said: “As we celebrate 50 years of the American Image Awards, and 250 years of America, we are excited to honor the legacy of our industry while recognizing the visionaries who are fashioning our future.”
Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA, added, “The American Image Awards is a moment for our industry to pause, reflect, and celebrate the stories that have shaped fashion over the past year. It’s also a time to recognize how those stories weave together, lining the threads for continued innovation and advancement across every corner of our industry.”
As it marks half a century of history, the American Image Awards continues to stand as a key platform reflecting both the present and future of American fashion.
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