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NEW YORK—The Accessories Council (Ac) has opened up submissions for the 2026 edition of its Design Excellence Awards. These annual awards celebrate innovation, creativity and excellence in product design, the Council said, and offer brands a platform to gain recognition and connect with a broader audience. As in past years, the 2026 Design Excellence Awards will include four categories specifically for eyewear: two for independent brands and two for multi-brand companies, the Accessories Council said.
Submissions are open now until September 2, 2026. Visit the Ac’s website to apply.
Categories for the 2026 Accessories Council Design Excellence Awards include the following:
• Brand Collaborations
• Eyewear (Optical) Independent (1-2 Brands)
• Eyewear (Optical) Multi-Brand (3 or More Brands)
• Eyewear (Sun) Independent (1-2 Brands)
• Eyewear (Sun) Multi-Brand (3 or More Brands)
• Fashion Jewelry Under & Over $100
• Fine Jewelry Under & Over $10,000
• Footwear Under & Over $250
• General Accessories (Soft Accessories, Scarves, SLG’s, Gloves, Belts, Hats, and Umbrellas)
• Handbags Under & Over $1,000
• Made in the USA
• Millinery & Hair Accessories
• Social Impact & Sustainability
• Tech & Innovation (Smart & Tech Accessories, Including Luxury and Fashion Watches)
The Design Excellence Awards program “is designed not only to recognize excellence, but also to create excitement around the winning products. Through editorial features, social media promotion and ongoing storytelling, consumers are introduced to the products that are defining the market,” according to the Accessories Council.
Finalists will be featured in the Fall issue of Ac Magazine, and winners will receive additional recognition in the holiday issue. Finalists and winners will additionally receive the Design Excellence Awards seal that can be leveraged in marketing, sales materials, packaging, websites, retail presentations and more. The awards also generate millions of impressions through the magazine, digital communications, social media channels, industry events and retailer outreach, the Ac said.
Sponsors of the 2026 Design Excellence Awards include Fashionphile, Marchon and Caleres.
