NEW YORK—The deadline is June 21 for companies to submit nominations for The Accessories Council inaugural Design Excellence Awards, to be bestowed upon outstanding products in 15 award categories including Eyewear, Handbags, Personal Accessories, Jewelry, Watches, Footwear and Tech and Innovation. The Accessories Council board of directors and the Accessories Innovation Committee will select four to five finalists per category based on the criteria of excellence in design, unique appearance and/or function, consumer needs addressed by product, appropriate aesthetics, innovative materials or technology, market positioning and competitive performance, social images, emotional appeal, and sustainability.

Brands may submit products that will be available to purchase in the U.S. via retail stores, e-commerce, TV retail or direct marketing during the period from Oct. 1, 2019 (or earlier) through Dec. 31, 2019 (or longer). The product may be designed and produced in any country. Designers or public relations agencies may submit a product on behalf of the company that developed it. Licensed, controlled and private label brands are acceptable, but must be made in the name of the company that supplies the product.

The first phase of judging will be done by the Accessories Council board of directors and the Accessories Innovation Committee. This will be based on the strength of the entry form, photos and application. They will narrow the entries into four to five finalists per category. Finalists will be announced at an event during August Market week. Design Excellence Award winners will be announced during an Awards Luncheon, to be held in New York City on Sept. 4, 2019.

“It’s an important time to give our industry a marquee to tag and identify excellent products,” said Karen Giberson, president of Accessories Council. “Our hope is that we will help stimulate sales and awareness at the wholesale and retail level.”

More information as well as exact categories and rules for submission are posted on the Accessories Council's website.