May 15, 2009 (New York, NY) - The Accessories Council with Luxottica, the global leader in the eyewear sector, supported the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
8th annual Next Generation Awards on Tuesday May 12th. The Next Generation Awards are meant to recognize creativity and talent of future accessory designers.
The event featured awards recognizing excellence in design in the categories of handbags, hats & gloves, belts & small leather goods, optical and sunglass frames, jewelry and footwear. New this year, an Evening Bag category, initiated on behalf of first time benefactor Judith Leiber, who also supported the Jewelry design category and a special Excellence in Leather Craftsmanship gift was presented by returning sponsor, Leather, Suede, Skins, Inc., leading leather supplier to the industry and to FIT’s accessory students.
Award benefactors were Cipriani Accessories, Anthropologie, Luxottica, Nine West, Riviera Trading and Judith Leiber.,
Noted accessory designer Frank Zambrelli of shoe line Banfi Zambrelli was on hand to share a few words of wisdom. Zambrelli, newly appointed Chairman of the Accessories Council and himself an FIT Alum, spoke from the heart about his experience as a designer and hopes to inspire the graduates to continue on their path in accessories.
Winning Belt Design students Michelle Tiercy & Kristina Gress,
Karen Giberson (Accessories Council) and Kurt Kress (Vice Presient Product Development,
Riviera Trading, Inc.)
Designs from student Marie Denise Arellano, winner in handbag category
 Winning Footwear Design students Jennie Denman & Andrea Gomez,
Fred Allard (Creative Director, Nine West) and Karen Giberson
 Necklace from Janet Crowther, winner for Jewelry Design
 Designs by student Sara Price, winner in Evening Bag category
 Winning students for Optical frame design Sofia Klayn and Michelle Tiercy
with Karen Giberson and Vittorio Verdun (Vice President Marketing, Luxottica)
 Designs from student Amanda Kaufman, winner in Sunglass and
Evening bag categories
 Karen Giberson, Evening Bag design winners Sara Price and Amanda
Kaufman and Geraldine Morley (Creative Director, Judith Leiber)
Winning belt design by student Carlota Montealegre
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