NEW YORK—A special recognition for the optical industry will be part of the upcoming 25th Anniversary Nov. 2 ACE Awards (Accessories Council Excellence) to be held in person at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan. The Accessories Council will honor people and companies who will be recognized for the dynamic impact they have made in the area of COVID relief, commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusivity or charitable contributions. Along with a collective recognition for companies in the optical industry, this year’s honorees include Wes Gordon, creative director of Carolina Herrera; designers Christian Siriano and LaQuan Smith, Crocs,  Stephanie Roberson, chief marketing officer at Shopbop; Caleres/Allen Edmonds; Qurate Retail Group, and Karyn Schoenbart of the NPD Group. All are being recognized as heroes, especially given their work in social responsibility.

“After the last 18 months, the Accessories Council felt it was important to not only celebrate the beautiful product, but to recognize the generosity, good work, and heart and soul of the industry,” said Karen Giberson, Accessories Council's president. “All honorees have shown accomplishments in COVID relief, sustainability, ongoing charitable work and/or inclusivity and diversity over the past year.”   
 
ACE 25th Anniversary Event sponsors include: Informa, Judith Leiber, Luxottica, Marchon, Safilo Group, Signal Brands and Vera Bradley.
 
Over the years, ACE Awards are given to designers, retailers, journalists, and celebrities. Recognition is also given to the accomplishments of journalists and publications, as well as individuals from the entertainment arena for their personal style and influence on fashion. The event garners major multi-media attention at the consumer level as well as within the fashion and accessory industries.

The Accessories Council  Excellence Awards gala was created in 1996 to celebrate the contributions of designers and design houses that have made outstanding achievements in accessories design. 
 
For sponsorship, ticket and table information for the ACE Awards Gala, and the accompanying special edition of the AC Magazine issued for the event, please contact Leena Gurevich-Nunez at Leena@accessoriescouncil.org
 
The Accessories Council is a not-for-profit, international trade organization established in 1994. Our mission is to stimulate global consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products.