The Underfashion Club’s 2017 FEMMY Awards Recap

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Thank you to everyone who attended the 2017 FEMMY Awards Gala on January 31st at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City! You all looked so fabulous for the 59th annual celebration of this red-carpet-esque Intimate Apparel Industry event. A special thank you to our host Hal Rubenstein for his energizing presence, lending his talents for an evening full of love and support for fashion and education.

Hal Rubenstein is a writer, designer, critic and one of the founding editors at InStyle Magazine, where he served as fashion director for fifteen years, after being a style director at The New York Times Magazine for five years. Since 1995 he has been a frequent red carpet and fashion commentator for Good Morning America, The Today Show, Extra, E! and The View. His experience in the coverage of red carpet awards seasons in Hollywood made him a perfect fit for the FEMMY Awards Gala. Hal greeted each of the Honorees of the 2017 FEMMY Awards with warmth and enthusiasm, narrating an evening full of pride and joy for us all in the Intimate Apparel Industry.

Congratulations to the Honorees! We thank each of you for your dedication to excellence.

Retailer: Aerie accepted by Jennifer Foyle, Aerie Global Brand President.

Jennifer Foyle joined Aerie in August 2010 as Senior Vice President/Chief Merchandising Officer and has been instrumental in transforming the specialty retailer into an authority in the body positivity movement.

Manufacturer: Cupid Foundations, Inc. accepted by David Welsch, CEO, President and Marilyn Welsch, Secretary/Treasurer.

David started working part time at Cupid during the 1950’s. He joined the company full time after graduating LeHigh University in January, 1960 and has been President of Cupid since 1979. Marilyn graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston University in 1962. She has been Cupid’s Corporate Secretary & Treasurer since 1982.

Supplier: Tianhai Lace Co., Ltd., accepted by Ning Yi Shen, General Manager.

As a responsible manufacturer, Tianhai is fully aware of the environmental impact of its operation and is continuously working together with selected partners and institutions to be ecofriendly at the highest standard. Ning Yi Shen graduated from Xi-An University, Textiles Department in 1982. He has worked at Tianhai Lace since it was established in 1988.

Innovation Award: Under Armour, Inc. accepted by Lisa Struble, VP, Technical Design

Lisa Struble is the Vice President Technical Design for Under Armour. She leads the technical design/product development group, pushing performance and innovation through fit and construction. Ms. Struble is responsible for product consistency and execution.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Norman Collier, Managing Director, Stretchline (UK) Limited.

Norman Collier has been involved in manufacturing elastic for 53 years, supported by his wife Janet, 2 children, Adam & Anna and 5 wonderful grandchildren. Over the last 20 years Stretchline has positioned itself in 7 countries producing 20 million mts/wk and supplying most of the world’s major brands and retailers.

The 14th Annual Student Design Contest

The 2017 FEMMY Awards Gala also hosted the 14th Annual Student Design contest, featuring designs by students from the Fashion Institute of Technology. The contest was themed “Athletic Allure.” With athleticism as a foundation, all designs emphasized support and movement as performance garments. The 5 guest judges were: Jos Berry, Concepts Paris / Jami Dunbar, Under Armour / Gill Heer, Lane Bryant / Angie Lau, Clover Group / and Helen Mears, Adore Me.

The scholarship winners are:

1st Prize Winner ($5000 + all expense paid trip to Mode City in Paris in July)
Katelyn Zawierucha, her design “Tres Sportive”
 
2nd Prize Winner ($4000)
Jennifer Monzon, her design “Obsidian”
 
3rd Prize Winner ($3000)
Mary Kate Kauffelt, her design “Instant Replay”
 

Finalists: Bonnie Chen, Diandra Howell, and Lara Tabak.

 

Victor Vega, president of the Underfashion Club, announced that he will be retiring in May. He thanked everyone that has been part of his career, as well as the Wacoal family, for contributing to his happy and wonderful life. “God bless America. Thank you!”

Karen Bromley, co-chair of the FEMMY committee, prompted a standing ovation for president Victor Vega for his service to the industry and community. Thank you all!

View the 2017 FEMMY Awards and highlights on our YouTube playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtQBAEM3648&list=PLO3rE98RdHTOxrwbs9nB_z4QPySMzXgTG

Photos from the evening have been uploaded to our Facebook page: