(PRESS RELEASE)NEW YORK — The Accessories Council announced the finalists for its 4th annual Design Excellence Awards.
Building on its history of honoring individuals and companies, the Accessories Council launched the Design Excellence Awards in 2019 to expand the recognition of outstanding products. All finalist products selected are available for purchase in the U.S. via retail stores, e-commerce, TV retail, or direct marketing between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
Finalists were selected by the Accessories Council Board of Directors 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. This year’s finalists include a diverse mix of price points and companies both large and small.
The finalists, by category, are as follows:
Eyewear Sun
Finalist 1: American Optical
Finalist 2: Big Horn
Finalist 3: Carrera
Finalist 4: Lanvin
Finalist 5: Oakley
Eyewear Optical
Finalist 1: Calvin Klein
Finalist 2: Carolina Herrera
Finalist 3: Glemaud x Tura
Finalist 4: Marc Jacobs
Finalist 5: Nicole Miller
Fashion Jewelry
Finalist 1: Anna Zuckerman Luxury
Finalist 2: Ben-Amun
Finalist 3: Colette Malouf
Finalist 4: Julie Vos
Finalist 5: Marlyn Schiff
Fine Jewelry
Finalist 1: Jennifer Fisher
Finalist 2: Martha Seely Design
Finalist 3: Sevun
Finalist 4: Shahla Karimi
Finalist 5: Stephen Dweck
Footwear Over $250
Finalist 1: Allen Edmonds
Finalist 2: Larroudé
Finalist 3: Makar
Finalist 4: Mia Becar
Finalist 5: Respoke
Footwear Under $250
Finalist 1: Cofi Leathers
Finalist 2: Dr. Scholl’s Shoes
Finalist 3: Franco Sarto
Finalist 4: Naturalizer
Finalist 5: Sperry
Handbags Over $1,000
Finalist 1: Braccialini
Finalist 2: Bswanky
Finalist 3: Kimberly Pucci
Finalist 4: Marina Raphael
Finalist 5: Muldooney’s
Handbags Under $1,000
Finalist 1: Alexis Bittar
Finalist 2: Betsey Johnson
Finalist 3: Deepa Gurnani
Finalist 4: Hammitt
Finalist 5: Liselle Kiss LLC
Social Impact
Finalist 1: Elliot Young Jewelry
Finalist 2: Linēij
Finalist 3: Love Is Project
Finalist 4: R. Riveter
Finalist 5: Wolverine
Tech & Innovation
Finalist 1: Chalonne
Finalist 2: Eyes of Fashion NYFT
Finalist 3: Hilos
Finalist 4: Kowy
Finalist 5: Monica Rich Kosann
Soft Accessories
Finalist 1: Echo New York
Finalist 2: Gigi Burris Millinery
Finalist 3: Nandanie
Finalist 4: Sleevey Wonders
Finalist 5: Violet & Brooks
Sustainability
Finalist 1: Amatostyle
Finalist 2: Botaniq Eyewear
Finalist 3: KBH Jewels
Finalist 4: Merrell
Finalist 5: Salvage Sacs
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 9th. Each finalist and winner also receives an “AC Seal” that can be used on products for the life of the item such as trade shows, annual reports, social media, and more. Finalists will be featured in the Fall issue of AC Magazine, which will publish the first week of October and the winners will be featured in the Winter issue of AC Magazine, which will publish the first week of January.
Sponsors of the 2022 Design Excellence Awards include Blackglama Exclusively by Saga Furs, Fashionphile, Market, LIM College and Straub Collaborative, and Marchon Eyewear.
Consumers will be able to vote on the winners for each category beginning Monday, September 12th. For more information on categories and finalists, and to submit votes, visit here.