On Tuesday, January 31st, 2012, the Underfashion Club hosted its annual Femmy Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street. The Intimate Affair was hosted by the witty and charismatic celebrity spokesperson Carson Kressley. When asked to host the annual awards ceremony, Carson Kressley thought to himself “I don’t know anyone as Femmy as me, so that sounds like it could work!”
The annual Femmy Awards Gala is considered the premier event in the intimate apparel industry attracting hundreds of professionals from all aspects of the lingerie industry and related fields. The awards honor individuals and companies that have significantly contributed to the industry and its growth. This year’s Gala honored:
Retailer
Manufacturer
Global Supplier
Top Form Brassiere Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Innovation Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Senior Vice President I.P.S. Management- Wacoal America, Inc.
Proceeds from the annual event support the non-profit Underfashion Club’s extensive Scholarship, Awards, Internship and Grants (SAIG) programs. These efforts bring to life the Underfashion Club’s credo of “Education today for a better industry tomorrow.”
The highlight of the Intimate Affair was the 9th Annual Student Design Contest featuring the designs of Fashion Institute of Technology students who concentrate their studies on intimate apparel under the direction of FIT Professor Alexandra Armillas. The students’ Art Deco-inspired designs were displayed at the event and attendees selected three student designers to receive cash awards. This year’s featured student designers include Nina Trimble who was awarded the first place prize of $4000 for her creation “Deco Diamonds”, the 2nd place prize went to Yecca Zeng, 3rd place was awarded to Lauren Haron and the three other student designers included Claudia Mesiti, Amy Gianforcaro and Nicole Ward. The design contest is an integral part of the Underfashion Club’s mission to help educate, influence and attract new talent into the intimate apparel industry.
About the Underfashion Club
It is the mission of the Underfashion Club to raise funds and expend energy to safeguard the present and future health of the intimate apparel industry by supporting education of new talent, attracting this talent to careers in Intimate Apparel and to act as good citizens in the local community within which the industry exists.
The club’s Femmy Award Gala is the most prestigious event of the Intimate Apparel Industry. The annual Femmy Gala is held in recognition of outstanding executives for exceptional achievements. Proceeds from this event provide the primary funding for the Club’s extensive scholarship, awards, internship and grants (SAIG) programs. The SAIG Committee interacts with and monitors the progress of scholarship recipients, coordinates industry participation in educational seminars for students, supports intimate apparel education on the high school and college levels, and actively pursues an intimate apparel internship program in the New York area.
The Program Committee develops informative seminars featuring guest speakers and panelists from the industry and related fields. Held at frequent intervals, these meetings are designed to stimulate and entertain, as well as provide opportunities for career networking. The committee also offers fun get-togethers such as the annual Holiday Party where, in the spirit of the season, clothes and toys are generously donated to the New York Foundling Home.
Through the Charity Committee, meaningful cash donations are made in support of many worthy causes that are industry-related and/or humanitarian in nature.
Resources:
The Underfashion Club
Follow @UnderfashionNY
Intimate Insider: Victor Vega of Wacoal America
19 MarVictor Vega of Wacoal America
In a world where the average worker changes jobs three to five times over the course of their lifetime, Intimate Insider Victor Vega is a statistical anomaly. He began his career as a warehouse worker with Wacoal America, and by 2005 found himself in the position of Sr. Vice President of Inventory Production and Sales Management through hard work and dedication.
I’ve been lucky enough to get to know Mr. Vega personally through various organizations like The Underfashion Club and the Intimate Apparel Square Club. I have found him to be a “true gentleman,” he is kind, honest, and humble. I caught up with him just before the Femmy Gala this past January, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to the intimate apparel industry and for his loyalty to helping others.
I asked Mr. Vega about his lifelong devotion to charitable causes. “I’ve always believed it is important to give back in our communities” he told me, “especially to those less fortunate. Helping others motivates me.” In addition to his participation in the non-profit organizations affiliated with the intimate apparel industry, Mr. Vega is involved with (and holds leadership positions in) numerous civic organizations in his own community.
When asked about the intimates industry as a whole, Mr. Vega said that he has seen many changes in the industry since the beginning of his career, and is looking forward to what the future will bring. “I hope to see the industry evolve and grow; to have different people involved in it. We all need to work together to take the industry to the next level, and the infusion of the next generation is wonderful.”
Victor Vega’s contributions to the industry are legendary, but when asked to name his greatest accomplishment, he says it is his good old-fashioned success story. He’s proud of having worked at the same company for so many years, and for rising to his current position through hard work and dedication. This year marks his 40th Anniversary with Wacoal America.
Victor Vega is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 FEMMY Gala
And finally, how does Mr. Vega feel about his Lifetime Achievement Award? His response is simple and as always, humble. “It is an honor, especially because it is given by the Underfashion Club which is made up of fellow industry professionals.” he says.
Mr. Vega is an inspiration to all of us working in the intimate apparel industry. His dedication to his employer is truly impressive. But it is his devotion to those less fortunate that really makes an impression on me. Victor Vega is a rare breed. I feel privileged to know him and am honored to consider him a friend.
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Tags: charity, IASC, intimate apparel industry, Intimate Apparel Square Club, Intimate Insider, Lifetime Achievement Award, The Femmy Gala, The HUG Award, The Underfashion Club, UFC, Victor Vega, Volunteer, Wacoal America