NEW YORK—The Accessories Council has announced that its sixth annual Design Excellence Awards will take place on November 4, 2024, in New York City with a formal awards event at The Fifth Avenue Hotel. The Accessories Council launched the Design Excellence Awards in 2019 to expand the recognition of outstanding products. Entries are open now and will be accepted through August 30. The Council shared that this year’s Awards include an expanded number of categories, including new entries for Independent Eyewear (1-2 brands) for Optical and Sun, and Fashion Jewelry under and over $100 (SRP). Returning for the second year is the Brand Collaboration Award, which was awarded to Stuart Weitzman x Aknvas in 2023. Additionally, the Accessories Council shared that it will select its prestigious Hall of Fame Award recipient of the year, which recognizes one single iconic product or brand that has stood the test of time as determined by the Accessories Council Board.

“The Accessories Council is thrilled to celebrate the 2024 Design Excellence Award winners with a formal Awards program at an incredible new venue," said Karen Giberson, president and CEO of the Accessories Council. "With expanded categories in eyewear, fashion and fine jewelry, we are  excited to include and recognize the amazing work of more independent designers.”

After careful entry review and the close of the public voting period, the finalists of the 6th Annual Design Excellence Awards will be announced in partnership with Fashionphile on September 10. The complete list of categories is as follows:

Handbags: Over $1,000 Retail; Under $1,000 Retail
Eyewear (Optical): Independent (1-2 brands); Multi-Brand (3 or more brands)
Eyewear (Sun): Independent (1-2 brands); Multi-Brand (3 or more brands)
Footwear: Over $250 (SRP); Under $250 (SRP)
Jewelry (Fashion): Under $100 (SRP); Over $100 (SRP)
Jewelry (Fine): Under $1,000 (SRP); Over $1,000 (SRP)
General Accessories: Soft accessories, scarves,  gloves, belts, hats, umbrellas
Tech & Innovation: Luxury and fashion watches
Social Impact: Charity, diversity, inclusion
Sustainability
Brand Collaboration

The Accessories Council’s Design Excellence Award winners are representative of consumer tastes and trends that inform purchase power, the Council said. Winning products will be voted on by the public from finalist pools selected by the Accessories Council Board of Directors. Finalists will be chosen 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. 

Design Excellence Award winning products are available for purchase in the U.S. via retail stores, e-commerce, TV retail or direct marketing between September 1 and December 31, 2024. The Accessories Council provides category finalists and winners with promotional tools for use at the wholesale and retail levels to market their products to consumers. Sponsors of the 2024 Design Excellence Awards include Marchon Eyewear, Fashionphile and FashionGo. Each of the winners will receive a trophy designed by Marchon Eyewear. 

For more information on categories, finalists, the Awards event and to enter, visit 2024 Design Excellence Awards here.