Accessories Council Now Accepting Entries for Design Excellence Awards
They include categories for fine and fashion jewelry as well as social impact and sustainability.
Launched in 2019, the awards recognize outstanding products across multiple categories including footwear, handbags, eyewear, and accessories such as belts, scarves, and hats.
Two award categories are dedicated to jewelry—one for fine jewelry and the other for fashion or costume jewelry. Other categories possibly applicable to jewelry brands are social impact/charity; sustainability; and tech and innovations.
Last year’s fine jewelry winner was Daria De Koning, while the fashion jewelry winner was Deepa Gurnani. Costume jewelry brand Akola took home the social impact award.
The 2022 nomination period is now open, running from July 5-Aug. 30.
The Accessories Council will announce category finalists on Thursday, Sept. 8.
From there, the public will vote online for category winners. In prior years including 2021, more than 110,000 votes were cast.
Both finalists and winners receive an “AC Seal” that can be used on products for as long as they are sold.
Finalists will appear in the fall issue of AC Magazine, which comes out in October. Winners will be recognized in the winter issue, publishing in January 2023.
Award winners will be announced at an in-person event at the Fashionphile headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
At the September finalists announcement, the Accessories Council will also announce a special Hall of Fame award winner, an NPD Growth Driver winner, and the Blackglama Exclusively by Saga Fur award winners.
Sponsors for the 2022 Design Excellence Awards are Marchon, a VSP Vision Company; Blackglama by Saga Furs; Fashionphile; LIM College; and Straub Collective and Market.
Established in 1994, the Accessories Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products.
Information on the award categories and the rules for submission are available online.
The Latest
The artwork, titled “Pristine,” was raffled off at the Canadian Jewellers Association’s recent summit.
The new store features a custom design studio and a bridal salon.
Designer Rosanne Karmes has created a collection to coincide with the release of the movie musical, which is expected to be a blockbuster.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
The retailer said it will file the necessary paperwork to regain compliance as soon as it is able.
Whether you’re calming the jittery gentleman in seat 13B or selling a diamond ring to a hesitant customer, an empathetic approach is best.
The jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
The 2025 Gem Awards are scheduled to take place March 14 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
Grosz had served as Assael’s senior vice president and creative director since 2017.
“Love and Celebration” is the jeweler’s first in-house collection featuring engagement rings, wedding bands, and celebration rings.
A more positive view of the labor market contributed to the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.
The funds will be distributed to schools in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Jennifer Mulvihill, the first woman to lead JSA in the organization’s 141-year history, takes over for the retiring John Kennedy.
This year’s festivities include more than 100 experiences, such as designer showcases, panel discussions, and even a treasure hunt.
The GMT-Master “Pepsi” that belonged to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is one of two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction.
The ads star brand ambassadors Chloe and Halle Bailey and Pamela Anderson.
The company combined two sights in Q3 due to the slowdown in demand, and said it is moving up the dates for sights 9 and 10 in Q4.
The jewelry designer discussed how she got into the jewelry industry, what she keeps in her favorite locket, and the future of her brand.
Participants can buy five votes for $5 to decide which jeweler will dress up as an ‘80s rockstar for Halloween.
These 15 pieces of jewelry hand-picked ahead of Halloween appeal to the costume- and candy-loving child in all of us.
Starboard Luxury is bringing the Italian brand aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest yacht.
The pendant, circa the late 1700s, likely was commissioned to remember a loved one who died young.
It features the brand’s products in the precious color, semi-precious color, pearl, diamond, gold, and sterling silver categories.
For her annual Halloween story, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow pairs fine jewelry with classic and contemporary Halloween costumes.
Sales fell 15 percent for the luxury conglomerate in the third quarter, led by a 26 percent drop in sales for flagship brand Gucci.
The education offerings include a diamond cutting demonstration, a session with JVC President Sara Yood, and a seminar on AI.