Events & AwardsJul 11, 2022
BIJC’s First Design Competition Ends With a Brooklyn Bridge Proposal Events & AwardsJul 12, 2022
Accessories Council Now Accepting Entries for Design Excellence Awards
They include categories for fine and fashion jewelry as well as social impact and sustainability.
The Accessories Council is calling for entries for its fourth annual Design Excellence Awards.
New York—The Accessories Council’s 2022 Design Excellence Awards are on the horizon.
Launched in 2019, the awards recognize outstanding products across multiple categories including footwear, handbags, eyewear, and accessories such as belts, scarves, and hats.
Two award categories are dedicated to jewelry—one for fine jewelry and the other for fashion or costume jewelry. Other categories possibly applicable to jewelry brands are social impact/charity; sustainability; and tech and innovations.
Last year’s fine jewelry winner was Daria De Koning, while the fashion jewelry winner was Deepa Gurnani. Costume jewelry brand Akola took home the social impact award.
The 2022 nomination period is now open, running from July 5-Aug. 30.
The Accessories Council will announce category finalists on Thursday, Sept. 8.
From there, the public will vote online for category winners. In prior years including 2021, more than 110,000 votes were cast.
Both finalists and winners receive an “AC Seal” that can be used on products for as long as they are sold.
Finalists will appear in the fall issue of AC Magazine, which comes out in October. Winners will be recognized in the winter issue, publishing in January 2023.
Award winners will be announced at an in-person event at the Fashionphile headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
At the September finalists announcement, the Accessories Council will also announce a special Hall of Fame award winner, an NPD Growth Driver winner, and the Blackglama Exclusively by Saga Fur award winners.
Sponsors for the 2022 Design Excellence Awards are Marchon, a VSP Vision Company; Blackglama by Saga Furs; Fashionphile; LIM College; and Straub Collective and Market.
Established in 1994, the Accessories Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products.
Information on the award categories and the rules for submission are available online.
Related stories will be right here …
Launched in 2019, the awards recognize outstanding products across multiple categories including footwear, handbags, eyewear, and accessories such as belts, scarves, and hats.
Two award categories are dedicated to jewelry—one for fine jewelry and the other for fashion or costume jewelry. Other categories possibly applicable to jewelry brands are social impact/charity; sustainability; and tech and innovations.
Last year’s fine jewelry winner was Daria De Koning, while the fashion jewelry winner was Deepa Gurnani. Costume jewelry brand Akola took home the social impact award.
The 2022 nomination period is now open, running from July 5-Aug. 30.
The Accessories Council will announce category finalists on Thursday, Sept. 8.
From there, the public will vote online for category winners. In prior years including 2021, more than 110,000 votes were cast.
Both finalists and winners receive an “AC Seal” that can be used on products for as long as they are sold.
Finalists will appear in the fall issue of AC Magazine, which comes out in October. Winners will be recognized in the winter issue, publishing in January 2023.
Award winners will be announced at an in-person event at the Fashionphile headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
At the September finalists announcement, the Accessories Council will also announce a special Hall of Fame award winner, an NPD Growth Driver winner, and the Blackglama Exclusively by Saga Fur award winners.
Sponsors for the 2022 Design Excellence Awards are Marchon, a VSP Vision Company; Blackglama by Saga Furs; Fashionphile; LIM College; and Straub Collective and Market.
Established in 1994, the Accessories Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products.
Information on the award categories and the rules for submission are available online.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
