Nike Dunk Named 2020's "Shoe of the Year"

Often referred to as the “Shoe Oscars” within the footwear industry, Footwear News‘ Achievement Awards (FNAA for short) have been held annually since 1986, and the long-standing publication has just announced its batch of 2020 honorees. Some may be expected while others are more surprising, but all together the awards attempt to encapsulate the energy and ethos of footwear in 2020 — a truly unprecedented year.

The most coveted of these awards is “Shoe of the Year.” In years past, winners of the prestigious honor have included Dr. Martens’ timeless 1460 and Virgil Abloh’s Off-White™ x Air Jordan 1. In 2020 it’s been bestowed upon the Nike Dunk, due to its “over 30 years of history within the world of sports, fashion and skateboarding, solidifying itself as a streetwear staple.” “Designer of the Year” was given to Salehe Bembury, the Vice President of Sneakers and Men’s Footwear at Versace who’s also responsible for one of 2020’s most desirable collaborations: an Antelope Canyon-inspired New Balance 2002R.

Elsewhere, Cardi B was named “Style Influencer of the Year,” Amina Muaddi was named “Collaborator of the Year” due to her work with FENTY, Aurora James of Brother Vellies was dubbed “Person of the Year” and both Birkenstock and Crocs — two brands who truly captured the zeitgeist of the year’s mule/slipper trend — were awarded “Brand of The Year.”

Due to the continued dangers of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 marks two firsts for the FNAA: it’ll be held digitally for the first time ever, and the general public will be able to tune in. The air date will be December 8, and interested parties can register to “attend” as well as check out the entire list of honorees via Footwear News.

For more … footwear news, take a first look at Trophy Room’s Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” collaboration.