PHASHION PHEST PHILADELPHIA AWARD WINNER 2004:
SHARON PHILLIPS WAXMAN

Sharon Phillips Waxman has been named recipient of the 2004 PHASHION PHEST PHILADELPHIA award, created by the City of Philadelphia and presented annually since 1994 to an individual who has made a significant impact on the fashion industry and who has strong ties to Philadelphia.

A native of South Jersey, Sharon Phillips Waxman, owner/president of SPW Productions has more than 25 years of professional experience combining the fields of fashion and special events production.

Ms. Waxman will be formally presented with the 11th annual PHASHION PHEST PHILADELPHIA AWARD on Monday evening, September 13, by Mayor John F. Street at the 2004 PHASHION PHEST, Hyatt Regency Philadelphia Penn’s Landing, 201 South Columbus Boulevard.

"Ms. Phillips Waxman has created a special event for area retailers and shoppers alike, and Philadelphia is proud to honor her with this prestigious award", Mayor Street said. "Her efforts to create and grow this event year after year and the event itself have made an economic impact on our retailers. She is a true inspiration."

SPW Productions is a full-service special events production company, handling both large and small-scale events.

Ms. Waxman graduated from New Jersey’s Glassboro State with a BA in Communications. Her talents in special and fashion-related events developed while working for Gimbels in Philadelphia from 1980 through 1983. She held several executive positions, including fashion coordinator and Thanksgiving Day Parade costume and make-up coordinator.

As Owner/Director of Phillips Models in Philadelphia, a full-service modeling agency, she managed talent for fashion and commercial print, radio, television, convention, promotion and runway modeling. In addition, Ms. Waxman owned and operated Allure Finishing and Modeling School in Philadelphia.

Ms. Waxman also served as special events consultant for Synergistic Concepts, Inc. in New York, and was responsible for the creative and operational execution of major events including the Philadelphia Freedom Festival, Baltimore Columbus Day Celebration, Maryland Preakness Parade, the Philadelphia Welcome Home Parade, Baltimore Families of Faith Parade celebrating the visit of Pope John Paul II, and a "Snapple Parade" staged for television, under the direction of Spike Lee.

Ms. Waxman was listed as one of the "100 To Watch in 2000" by the Philadelphia Style Magazine. She has served as producer of the City of Philadelphia’s Independence Day Ceremony and was the recipient of the Silver Pinnacle Award in 1999 and 2000 from the International Festivals and Events Association.

Sharon Phillips Waxman is the past Regional Director of Fashion Group International of Philadelphia. She is a member of the board of directors for the Mid-Atlantic Festivals and Events Association, as well as a member of the International Festivals and Events Association. She sits on the Moore College of Art and Design fashion advisory board, and The Art Institute of Philadelphia’s fashion advisory board, and is an adjunct professor at Moore College of Art and Design.

In 1994, the City of Philadelphia established the Phashion Phest Philadelphia Award, which has been presented annually since 1994. This award continues through the support of the City of Philadelphia, Mayor John F. Street, James J. Cuorato, Director of Commerce and Bonnie Grant, Deputy City Representative. It is presented to an outstanding individual who has made a tremendous contribution to the Philadelphia Area fashion industry. This year's recipient is Sharon Phillips Waxman in recognition by the city of Philadelphia for creating this event and for her continued work promoting the fashion and beauty industries in the region. Rena Rowan, Rita Eisenberg, Judith Zernik, Thomas A. Marotta, Steven and Ann Lagos, Daniel and Rebecca Matthias, Susan Lazar, Emil DeJohn, Nicole Miller, and Ralph Rucci for Chado Ralph Rucci are the past recipients of the Phashion Phest Philadelphia Award.

Click here to return to the main History Page