Jerry Lorenzo via Instagram

Jerry Lorenzo’s Brand Honored at the Shoe Oscars

Jerry Lorenzo won the Designer of the Year Award at this year’s Footwear News Achievement Awards. The FNAA is nicknamed the “Shoe Oscars” and is a big night for footwear and fashion. The 35th annual event included Stan Smith, Christie Brinkley, Allyson Felix, and Fat Joe.

Fear of God Label

Lorenzo created the independent American fashion label Fear of God. He releases collections when he feels ready, instead of following the traditional fashion calendar. He has no formal fashion training but his designs are now worn by celebrities including Big Sean and Kanye West. Lorenzo’s sister is media star Natalie Manuel Lee who is featured in our Visionary Issue.

He founded the luxury fashion label in Los Angeles in 2013. The “brand’s distinct interpretation of the American expression has become an emblem of contemporary culture,” according to their website. They’re on their seventh collection.

Designer of the Year Award

Lorenzo chose to accept the award remotely. Afterwards, he made a long post on his Instagram to share his thoughts. He apologized for missing the event but he chose to be in Miami instead for a special reason. Virgil Abloh’s final show for Louis Vuitton was on November 30th.

Lorenzo admitted it felt awkward to promote the award while mourning his friend. He gave a lot of credit to his team in Italy and Los Angeles in the post. Lorenzo also said about the label, “we obsess over the details and provide quiet solutions that are not loud or distracting.”

He called the award recognition “humbling.” He closed out with “we’re without too many words today but the flowers definitely brightened up our day.”

At the end of his acceptance speech, Lorenzo dedicated the award to Virgil Abloh. He said, “Thank you for living the life that…the life example, in and of itself, has opened up doors for so many that look like you and I. I appreciate you, I love you, I honor you.”

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