Accessories Council Excellence Awards

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 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 2024
 * Special Ace Awards Edition 2023
 * Special Ace Awards Edition 2022
 * Special Ace Awards Edition 2021

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
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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 Award: Rachael Ray
 * Style Icon Award: Ciara
 * Visionary Award: Steve Madden
 * Designer of the Year: Todd Snyder
 * Retailer of the Year: Saks Fifth Avenue

2018

 * Breakthrough Award: Allbirds
 * Style Ambassador: Tracee Ellis Ross
 * American Heritage Award: Brooks Brothers

2017

 * Breakthrough Award: Kendra Scott
 * Style Icon Award: Betsey Johnson
 * Style Ambassador: Eva Longoria
 * Designer of the Year: Joseph Altuzarra
 * Retailer of the Year: Shopbop

2016

 * Brand Launch: Paul Andrew
 * Brand Visionary: Sarah Jessica Parker
 * Influencer: Jennifer Fisher
 * Style Influencers: Daniel Lawson & Julianna Margulies
 * Designer of the Year: Stuart Vevers
 * Retailer of the Year: Bergdorf Goodman

2015

 * Breakthrough Award: Ivanka Trump
 * Influencers: Taraji P. Henson & Paolo Nieddu
 * Designer of the Year: John Varvatos
 * Retail Innovation: Moda Operandi

2014

 * Brand Launch: Shinola
 * Influencers: Kerry Washington and Lyn Paolo
 * Style Ambassador: Flo Rida
 * Designer of the Year: Proenza Schouler
 * Retailer of the Year: Lord & Taylor

2013

 * Brand Launch: Alexis Bittar
 * Breakthrough Award: Rag & Bone
 * Influencer: Kate Young
 * Designer of the Year: Phillip Lim
 * Retail Innovation: Warby Parker

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 Award: Rebecca Minkoff
 * Influencer: Nicole Richie
 * Designer of the Year: Philip Treacy
 * Retailer of the Year: Tourneau

2010

 * Brand Launch: Rachel Roy
 * Designer of the Year: Alber Elbaz for Lanvin
 * Retailer of the Year: Henri Bendel
 * Stylemaker: Kanye West
 * Hall of Fame: Tiffany & Co

2009

 * Designer of the Year: Tomas Maier for Bottega Veneta
 * Retailer of the Year: Zappos.com
 * Accessory Visionary: Diane von Fürstenberg
 * Stylemaker: Lady Gaga

2008

 * Designer of the Year: Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga
 * Brand of the Year: Jimmy Choo
 * Hall of Fame: Emilio Pucci
 * Retailer of the Year: Banana Republic
 * Innovator of the Year: Lorraine Schwartz

2007

 * Designer of the Year: Marc Jacobs
 * Retailer of the Year: Macy’s
 * Fashion Influencer: Heidi Klum
 * Fashion Innovator: Mandy Moore

2006

 * ACE Award: Jennifer Lopez
 * Designer of the Year: Michael Kors
 * Retailer of the Year: Bergdorf Goodman

2005

 * ACE Award: Mary-Kate Olsen & Ashley Olsen
 * Designer of the Year: Oscar de la Renta
 * Retailer of the Year: NeimanMarcus.com

2004

 * ACE Award: Kim Cattrall
 * Designer of the Year: Gordon Thompson III for Cole Haan
 * Retailer of the Year: Bloomingdale’s

2003

 * ACE Award: The Women of Broadway
 * Designer of the Year: Reed Krakoff for Coach
 * Retailer of the Year: Henri Bendel

2002

 * ACE Award: Debra Messing
 * Designer of the Year: Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
 * Retailer of the Year: Lord & Taylor and Neiman Marcus (tie)

2001

 * ACE Award: Tina Knowles

2000

 * ACE Award: Patricia Field & Rebecca Weinberg

1999

 * ACE Award: Linda Dano

1998

 * ACE Award: Kathie Lee Gifford

1997

 * ACE Award: Joan Rivers