The Accessories Council Excellence Awards, known as the ACE Awards, were created in 1996 by the Accessories Council to pay homage to individuals and groups who have helped raise awareness of the accessories industry. Their purpose is to celebrate those who have had a positive impact on accessory consumption during the prior year. Nominees are voted on by accessory-industry insiders, retailers, the Accessories Council Board of Directors and the fashion press. Winners are announced in advance of the annual event, which usually takes place at the beginning of November.

Accessories Council

The awards are handed out by the Accessories Council, a United States-based not-for-profit

trade association A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific Industry (economics), industry. Through collabor ...

that was established in 1994 with the mission of increasing consumer use and awareness of accessories. Karen Giberson has been the group’s president since 2005. Its previous president, Sheila Block, led the group from 1996 to 2005. The organization sponsors educational seminars, networking events, seasonal trend reports, marketing and advertising co-op initiatives, design and marketing awards for area fashion students, an annual silent auction, and the black tie ACE Awards Gala, an annual tribute to the leaders of the accessory industry.

Magazines

* Special Ace Awards Edition 202

* Special Ace Awards Edition 202

* Special Ace Awards Edition 202

* Special Ace Awards Edition 202

Past winners

2024

* Operational Excellence: Aria Logistics * Brand of the Year: Coach New York * Design Innovation: Cult Gaia * Style Influencer: Dana Covarrubias * Specialty Retail: elysewalker * Hall of Fame: Fern Mallis * Legacy:

Foster Grant Foster Grant, or FosterGrant, is an American brand of eyewear founded by Sam Foster in 1919. The Foster Grant brand is a subsidiary company of FGX International, a consumer goods wholesaler with headquarters in Smithfield, Rhode Island, which ha ...

* Retailer of the Year: Jared the Galleria of Jewelry * Rising Star: Larroudé * Style Icon: Linda Fargo * Designer of the Year: Prabal Gurung

2023

* Brand Innovation: Alexis Bittar * Emerging Designer: Dee Ocleppo * Legacy: Echo New York * Retail Innovation: Fashionphile * Sustainability: House of LR&C * Couturiere: Judith Leiber Couture * Style Ambassador: Julianne Hough * Visionary: Mickey Drexler * Retailer of the Year: Von Maur * Brand of the Year: Wolverine

2022

* Visionary: Ben Clymer Hodinkee * Global style icon:

J Balvin José Álvaro Osorio Balvín (born 7 May 1985), known professionally as J Balvin, is a Colombian singer. He is one of the best-selling Latin artists, with 35 million records sold worldwide. Balvin was born in Medellín. At age 17, he moved to th ...

* Hall of fame: Josie Natori * Brand of the Year: Kurt Geiger London * Retail innovation: Lenscrafters * Retailer of the year: Moda Operandi * Influencer: Molly Rogers + Danny Santiago * Brand excellence:

Rimowa Rimowa GmbH (), often stylized as RIMOWA, is a luxury luggage manufacturer. The company was founded in 1898, in Cologne, Germany. Rimowa suitcases are widely known for their parallel aluminium grooves, which have become characteristic of the bra ...

* Legacy: Vera Bradley * Brand Launch: Veronica Beard * Breakthrough: Victor Glemaud

2021

* Super Hero: Iris Apfel * Allen Edmonds/Caleres * Carolina Herrera/Wes Gordon * Christian Siriano * Crocs * LaQuan Smith * Qurate Retail Group * ShopBop * Karyn Schoenbart/The NPD Group * Special recognition to: The Optical Industry, Aether Diamonds, Blessings in a Backpack, Marlyn Schiff

2019

* Business Launch:

Rachael Ray Rachael Domenica Ray (born August 25, 1968) is an American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author. She hosted the syndicated daily talk and lifestyle program '' Rachael Ray''. Other programs to her credit include ''30 Minut ...

* Business Visionary: Kering Eyewear * Designer of the Year: Todd Snyder * Legacy: Columbia Sportswear * Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Research Foundation * Retail Innovator: Rent the Runway * Retail Innovation:

10 Corso Como 10 Corso Como is a shopping and dining complex in Milan, Italy with international locations in Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai. It combines outlets that show and sell works of art, fashion, music, design, cuisine and culture. It was founded in 1990 by ...

* Retailer of the Year:

Saks Fifth Avenue Saks Fifth Avenue (Colloquialism, colloquially Saks) is an American Luxury goods, luxury department store chain founded in 1867 by Andrew Saks. The first store opened in the F Street and 7th Street shopping districts, F Street shopping distric ...

* Style Ambassador: Jackie Demeterio * Style Icon:

Ciara Ciara Princess Wilson ( ; Harris; born October 25, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. She was discovered by record producer Jazze Pha in the early 2000s, and rose to prominence with her debut studio album, ''Goodies ...

* Sustainability: Sperry * Visionary: Steve Madden

2018

* American Heritage Award: Brooks Brothers * Breakthrough Award: Allbirds * Business Excellence: The Jewelry Group * Business Leadership: Andrew Rosen * Hall of Fame: Sam & Libby Edelman * Legacy: Longchamp * Retail Influencer: Kith * Retail Innovation: Westfield Corp. * Specialty Retailer: Story by Rachel Shechtman * Style Ambassador: Tracee Ellis Ross * Style Influencer: Micaela Erlanger

2017

* Brand of the Year: Loeffler Randall * Breakthrough Award: Kendra Scott * Business Leadership: The NPD Group * Business Visionary: Jason Rabin * Designer of the Year: Joseph Altuzarra * Legacy: Polaroid Eyewear * Retailer of the Year: Shopbop * Style Ambassador: Eva Longoria * Style Icon Award: Betsey Johnson * Style Influencer: Grandmaster Flash and Jeriana San Juan * Sustainability: PVH Corp. * Trailblazer: Monica Rich Kosann

2016

* Brand Launch: Paul Andrew * Brand of the Year: Ray-Ban * Brand Visionary:

Sarah Jessica Parker Sarah Jessica Parker (born March 25, 1965) is an American actress and television producer. In a career spanning over five decades, she has performed across several productions of both Sarah Jessica Parker filmography, screen and stage. List o ...

* Business Leadership: Rosenthal & Rosenthal * Designer of the Year: Stuart Vevers * Humanitarian of the Year: Vera Bradley * Influencer: Jennifer Fisher * Media:

Marie Claire ''Marie Claire'' (stylized in all lowercase; ) is a French international monthly magazine first published in France in 1937. Since then various editions are published in many countries and languages. The feature editions focus on women aro ...

* Retailer of the Year:

Bergdorf Goodman Bergdorf Goodman Inc. is an American luxury department store based in New York City, founded in 1899 by Herman Bergdorf. , it operates a women's store and a men's store across the street from each other on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. ...

* Trendsetter: MCM Worldwide * Sustainability: Kering * Style Influencers: Daniel Lawson &

Julianna Margulies Julianna Margulies (; born June 8, 1966) is an American actress. After several small television roles, Margulies received wide recognition for her starring role as Carol Hathaway in the NBC medical drama series '' ER'' (1994–2000; 2009), fo ...

2015

* Breakthrough Award: Ivanka Trump * Designer of the Year:

John Varvatos John Varvatos (born 1954) is an American menswear designer. He has worked for both Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, and started his own label in 1999. Early life The Varvatos family is originally from the village of Poulata on the island o ...

* Evolution: Eddie Borgo * Influencers: Taraji P. Henson & Paolo Nieddu * Innovation: Nancy Gonzalez * Leadership: Claudio Gottardi * Legacy:

Swarovski Swarovski (, ) is an Austrian producer of glass based in Wattens, Tyrol. It was founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski. The company is split into three major industry areas: the Swarovski Crystal Business, which primarily produces crystal glas ...

* Marylou Luther Journalism: Ariel Foxman * Retail Innovation: Moda Operandi * Specialty Retailer: Mitchells

2014

* Brand Launch: Shinola * Brand of the Year: Kate Spade New York * Business Visionary: Oliver Peoples * Designer of the Year: Proenza Schouler * Fashion and Technology: Google Glass * Influencers:

Kerry Washington Kerry Marisa Washington (born January 31, 1977) SidebarCertificate of Live Birth: Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha(County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health). Gives Kerry Washington birth dateArchivedfrom the original on May 2, 2016.Note: Fil ...

and Lyn Paolo * Leadership: Rose Marie Bravo * Legacy:

BVLGARI Bulgari (, ; stylized as BVLGARI) is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1884 and known for its jewellery, watches, fragrances, accessories, and leather goods. Headquartered in Rome, the company was acquired by the French conglomerate ...

* Marylou Luther Journalism: Robbie Myers * Retailer of the Year:

Lord & Taylor Lord & Taylor was an American department store chain founded in 1826 by Samuel Lord. It had 86 full-line stores in the Northeastern United States at its peak in the 2000s, and 38 locations at the time of its liquidation in 2021. The Lord & Tay ...

* Specialty Retailer: Alex and Ani * Style Ambassador:

Flo Rida Tramar Lacel Dillard (born September 16, 1979), known professionally as Flo Rida ( ), is an American rapper and singer. His 2007 debut and breakout single "Low (Flo Rida song), Low" was number one for 10 weeks in the United States and broke the ...

2013

* Brand of the Year: Alexis Bittar * Breakthrough Award: Rag & Bone * Designer of the Year: Phillip Lim & Wen Zhou * Digital Influencer: Leandra Medine * Distinguished Style: Olivia Palermo * Hall of Fame: Iman * Influencer: Kate Young * Legacy: The Frye Company * Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism: Hamish Bowles * Omni-Channel Retailer:

Nordstrom Nordstrom, Inc. () is an American Luxury goods, luxury department store chain headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin in 1901. The original store operated exclusively as a shoe store, and a seco ...

* Retail Innovation: Warby Parker * Specialty Retailer: Charming Charlie * Style Ambassador: Stacy Keibler

2012

* Brand Launch: Theodora & Callum * Influencer: Assouline * Designer of the Year: Francisco Costa, Italo Zucchelli and Ulrich Grimm for Calvin Klein Collection * Retail Innovation: Stella & Dot

2011

* Brand Launch: Marchesa * Breakthrough: Rebecca Minkoff * Business Visionary: Frank Fialkoff * Designer of the Year:

Philip Treacy Philip Anthony Treacy (born 26 May 1967) is an Irish haute couture Hatmaking, milliner, or hat designer, who has been mostly based in London for his career, and who was described by ''Vogue (magazine), Vogue'' magazine as "perhaps the greatest ...

* E-Tailor of the Year: Mindy Grossman HSN * Hall of Fame: Temple St. Clair * Influencer: Nicole Richie * Magazine of the Year:

* Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism: Kate Betts * Specialty Retailer of the Year: Tourneau * Visionary: Robert Marc

2010

* Brand Launch: Rachel Roy * Designer of the Year: Alber Elbaz for Lanvin * Retailer of the Year: Henri Bendel * Stylemaker:

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...

* Hall of Fame:

Tiffany & Co Tiffany & Co. (colloquially known as Tiffany's) is an American luxury goods, luxury jewelry and specialty design house headquartered on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Tiffany is known for its luxury goods, particularly its sterling silver and diam ...

2009

* Accessory Visionary: Diane von Fürstenberg * Brand of the Year:

Burberry Burberry Group plc is a British luxury fashion house established in 1856 by Thomas Burberry and headquartered in London, England. It designs and distributes ready to wear, including trench coats, leather accessories, and footwear. It is l ...

* Designer of the Year: Tomas Maier for

Bottega Veneta Bottega Veneta S.r.l () is an Italian luxury fashion house based in Milan, Italy. Its product lines include ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, accessories, jewellery and fragrances. Bottega Veneta is headquartered in Milan, Italy, with its main at ...

* Fashion Icon:

Barbie Barbie is a fashion doll created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler, manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and introduced on March 9, 1959. The toy was based on the German Bild Lilli doll, Bild Lilli doll which Hand ...

* Humanitarian: Toms Shoes * Influencer: Fred Allard for Nine West * Magazine of the Year: V Magazine * Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism: Hal Rubenstein * Retailer of the Year:

Gilt Groupe Gilt Groupe is an American online shopping site launched in 2007. In 2016 the company was sold to Hudson's Bay Company for approximately $250 million, which was less than the $268 million taken from investors. Prior to the Hudson's Bay acquisiti ...

* Retailer of the Year:

Zappos.com Zappos.com is an American online shoe and clothing retailer based in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The company was founded in 1999 by Nick Swinmurn and launched under the domain name Shoesite.com. In July 2009, Amazon acquired Zappos in an ...

* Stylemaker:

Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her image reinventions and versatility across the entertainment industry, she is an influ ...

2008

* Brand of the Year:

Jimmy Choo Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat (born 15 November 1948) is a Malaysian fashion designer based in the United Kingdom. He co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd, which became known for its handmade women's shoes. Early life Choo was born in 1948 in the Crown Colony ...

* Designer of the Year: Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga * Green Designer of the Year: Stella McCartney * Hall of Fame:

Emilio Pucci Emilio Pucci, Marchese di Barsento (; 20 November 1914 – 29 November 1992) was an Italian Marquess, aristocrat, fashion designer and politician. He and his eponymous company Pucci designed geometric prints in many colors. Early life Pucci wa ...

* Influencer of the Year: Cate Adair * Innovator of the Year: Lorraine Schwartz * Magazine of the Year:

Elle Elle may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * Elle (magazine), ''Elle'' (magazine), a fashion publication ** Elle Style Awards * Elle (India), ''Elle'' (India), the Indian edition * Elle (film), ''Elle'' (film), a 2016 French film * ''Elle: ...

* Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism: Sally Singer * Retailer of the Year: Banana Republic

2007

* Designer of the Year:

Marc Jacobs Marc Jacobs (born April 9, 1963) is an American fashion designer. He is the head designer for his own fashion label, Marc Jacobs, and formerly Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line, which was produced for approximately 15 years, before it was d ...

* Retailer of the Year: Macy’s * Fashion Influencer: Heidi Klum * Fashion Innovator:

Mandy Moore Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore (born April 10, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She rose to fame with her 1999 debut single "Candy (Mandy Moore song), Candy", which peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot ...

2006

* ACE Award:

Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of her time, credited with breaking ...

* Accessory Brand Launch:

Tom Ford Thomas Carlyle Ford (born August 27, 1961) is an American fashion designer and filmmaker. He launched Tom Ford (brand), his eponymous brand in 2005, having previously been the creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent (brand), Yves Sai ...

* Brand of the Year:

Fendi Fendi Srl () is an Culture of Italy, Italian luxury goods, luxury fashion house producing fur, ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, fragrances, eyewear, timepieces and accessories. Founded in Rome in 1925 by fashion designers Edoardo Fendi and ...

* Designer of the Year:

Michael Kors Michael David Kors (born Karl Anderson Jr. August 9, 1959) is an American fashion designer. He is the chief creative officer of his brand, Michael Kors, which sells men's and women's ready-to-wear, accessories, watches, jewelry, footwear, and f ...

* Fashion Innovation: Coach * Magazine of the Year: O, The Oprah Magazine * Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism: Suzy Menkes * Retailer of the Year:

* Specialty Retailer of the Year: Solstice Sunglass Boutiques

2005

* ACE Award: Mary-Kate Olsen &

Ashley Olsen Ashley Fuller Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is an American businesswoman, fashion designer and former actress. She began her acting career at the age of nine months, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner with her twin sister Mary-Kate Olsen in the ...

* Accessory Brand Launch:

Juicy Couture Juicy Couture is an American casualwear and dress clothing brand based in Arleta, Los Angeles, California. Best known for their velour tracksuits which became a luxury staple in the 2000s, the company was founded by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gel ...

* Designer of the Year: Oscar de la Renta * Fashion Icon:

Jessica Simpson Jessica Ann Johnson (née Simpson; born July 10, 1980) is an American singer, actress, and fashion designer. After performing in church choirs as a child, Simpson signed with Columbia Records in 1997, aged seventeen. Her debut studio album, '' ...

* Hall of Fame: Kenneth Cole * Lifetime Achievement: Betsey Johnson * Magazine of the Year:

InStyle ''InStyle'' is an American monthly women's fashion magazine founded in 1994. It was published in the United States by Dotdash Meredith, and started originally as a brand extension of ''People (magazine), People'' before carving out its own ide ...

* Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism: Teri Agins * Retailer of the Year: NeimanMarcus.com

2004

* ACE Award: Kim Cattrall * Accessory Designer of the Year: Gordon Thompson III for Cole Haan * Accessory Rising Star: Alexis Bittar * Hall of Fashion:

Hermès Hermès International S.A. ( , ) is a French Luxury goods, luxury fashion house established in 1837. It specializes in leather goods, silk goods, lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, perfumery, jewelry, watches and ready-to-wear. Since the ...

* Fashion Influencer: Kimora Lee Simmons * Lifetime Achievement: Carlos Falchi * "It" Accessory of the Year: UGG Australia Classic Boot * Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism: Marylou Luther * Retailer of the Year: Bloomingdale’s

2003

* ACE Award: The Women of Broadway * Best Advertising Campaign:

* Designer of the Year: Reed Krakoff for Coach * Hall of Fame: Coach * "It" Accessory of the Year: Louis Vuitton Eye Love Monogram Handbag * Retailer of the Year: Henri Bendel * Rising Star: Hollywould * Special Recognition: Echo Design Group

2002

* ACE Award:

Debra Messing Debra Lynn Messing (born August 15, 1968) is an American actress. After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Messing starred in the television series ''Ned and Stacey'' on Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox (1995–1997) an ...

* Best Advertising Campaign:

Christian Dior Christian Ernest Dior (; 21 January 1905 – 24 October 1957) was a French fashion designer and founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, Dior, Christian Dior SE. His fashion house is known all around the world, having gained promi ...

* Designer of the Year:

for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche * Hall of Fame:

* Innovator of the Year: Jane T. Elfers of

* "It" Accessory of the Year: Puma Sneakers * Retailer of the Year:

and

Neiman Marcus Neiman Marcus is an American department store chain founded in 1907 in Dallas, Texas by Herbert Marcus, his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman, and her husband Abraham Lincoln Neiman. It has been owned by Saks Global, a Corporate spin-off, spin-o ...

(tie) * Rising Star Award for Emerging Talent: Lulu Guinness

2001

* ACE Award: Tina Knowles * Best Accessories Advertising Campaign:

Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Malletier SAS, commonly known as Louis Vuitton (, ), is a French Luxury goods, luxury fashion house and company founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton (designer), Louis Vuitton. The label's LV monogram appears on most of its products, ...

* Best Accessories Collection - Design:

for

* Best Accessories Designer: Rafe * Best Accessories Licensing Program: Nine West * Best Accessories Retail Marketing - Mass Market: Target * Best Accessories Retail Marketing - National:

* Best Accessories Retail Marketing - Regional:

* Best Accessories Website: eLuxury.com * Hall of Fame: Judith Leiber * Special Recognition: Radio City Rockettes

2000

* ACE Award: Patricia Field & Rebecca Weinberg

1999

* ACE Award:

Linda Dano Linda Dano (born Linda Rae Wildermuth; May 12, 1943, Long Beach, California) is an American actress and television host. She began her career appearing in film and prime time television before she was cast as Rae Cummings on the ABC daytime soap ...

* Best Accessories Advertising Campaign: Kenneth Cole * Best Accessories Designer: Kate Spade * Best Accessories License Program: Ralph Lauren * Best Coverage of Accessories by a Consumer Fashion Magazine:

* Retailer/Best Accessories Visual Merchandising:

1998

* ACE Award:

Kathie Lee Gifford Kathryn Lee Gifford (Given name, née Epstein; born August 16, 1953) is an American television presenter, singer, songwriter, actress, and author. From 1985 to 2000, she and Regis Philbin hosted the talk show ''Live with Kelly and Mark, Live! wi ...

1997

* ACE Award:

Joan Rivers Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedienne, actress, producer, writer and television host. She was noted for her blunt, often controversial comedic persona that w ...

References

{{Reflist Awards established in 1996 Fashion awards