NEW YORK—The Accessories Council will launch the 2nd Edition of the Design Excellence Awards today. With a history of honoring individuals and companies, the Council is excited to recognize outstanding products, it said in its announcement. The Design Excellence Awards feature 15 awards across seven categories: Handbags, Personal Accessories, Jewelry, Eyewear (optical and sun), Footwear, Sustainability and Tech & Innovation. Additionally, one iconic product that has stood the test of time will be recognized with the Hall of Fame Award and the NPD Award, a statistically derived honor, will be awarded based on sales growth.

Entries are now open through July 1, 2020. Details and rules for submission to the Awards are posted here. 

The 2019 finalists and winners used their awards in TV appearances, at trade shows, in social media, websites and earnings reports, the Council noted, adding, "Now more than ever, it’s important to identify and celebrate those items that are truly outstanding in their categories."

In an effort to highlight products ahead of or during their launch phase, products eligible for consideration must be available to purchase in the U.S. via retail stores, e-commerce, TV retail or direct marketing from October 1 to December 31.

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. Finalists will be announced on August 3, receiving a certificate and “Accessories Council Design Award Finalist” logo.

The finalists can then be voted on by anyone (one vote per person) and winners will then be announced with a trophy, certificate and “Accessories Council Design Award Winner” logo on September 3 . Marchon Eyewear, has graciously designed the trophy and all of the logos.

The Accessories Council is a not-for-profit international trade association established in 1994 with a mission to stimulate consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products. The Accessories Council serves the industry globally, which generates over $54 billion dollars annually in the U.S. alone. Membership is represented internationally by the world’s leading brand names, designers, publications, retailers and associated providers for the accessories, eyewear and footwear industries.