THE DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The Ac's Design Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, creativity, and excellence in product design. This prestigious program offers an exciting platform for brands to gain recognition and connect with a broader audience.

2025 DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

Swarovski
HALL OF FAME
Swarovski

Baggallini
CIRCANA GROWTH DRIVER
baggallini Soho Backpack

Cove Fine Jewelry
BRAND COLLABORATION
Cove Fine Jewelry Wequassett Centennial Ring

MODO Eyewear
EYEWEAR, OPTICAL (INDEPENDENT)
MODO Eyewear 5002

State Eyewear Co.
EYEWEAR, OPTICAL (MULTI-BRAND)
State Optical Co. Vivian

Selima x Nico
EYEWEAR, SUN (INDEPENDENT)
SELIMA x NICO Le Matt

Barton Perreira
EYEWEAR, SUN (MULTI-BRAND)
Barton Perreira Auriol

Melinda Maria
FASHION JEWELRY UNDER $100
Melinda Maria Baby Love Letter Medallion Necklace

Donna Karan New York Jewelry
FASHION JEWELRY OVER $100 (TIE)
Donna Karan New York Jewelry Collection Cuff

FREIDA ROTHMAN
FASHION JEWELRY OVER $100 (TIE)
FREIDA ROTHMAN Garden of Grit Hammered Statement Bracelet

CYNTHIA RYAN
FINE JEWELRY UNDER $1,000
CYNTHIA RYAN Astragal Stacking Band

Jane Win Jewelry
FINE JEWELRY OVER $1,000
Jane Win Jewelry LOVE 14k Pink Tourmaline Quatrefoil Coin Pendant

Atikuss
FIRST NATIONS AWARD
Atikuss Coyote Trimmed Mittens

Cole Haan
FOOTWEAR UNDER $250
Cole Haan Felicia Bow Pumps

Veronica Beard
FOOTWEAR OVER $250
Veronica Beard Tarian Boot

Vera Bradley
GENERAL ACCESSORIES
Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. Large Original Duffel Bag

8 Other Reasons
HANDBAGS UNDER $1,000
8 Other Reasons Dixie Tote Bag

Rafe New York
HANDBAGS OVER $1,000 (TIE)
Rafe New York Azura Minaudière

Siena Wolf
HANDBAGS OVER $1,000 (TIE)
Siena Wolf No.14 Shoulder Bag

Saga Furs
IFF FURMARK AWARD
Saga Furs Creative Hub Mittens

Deepa Gurnani
MILLINERY & HAIR ACCESSORIES
Deepa Gurnani Halo Headband

ABLE x Leigh Ann Barnes
SOCIAL IMPACT
ABLE x Leigh Ann Barnes The Revival Bag

Mela
SUSTAINABILITY
Mela Luna in Zest

Hulken
TECH & INNOVATION
Hulken The Original Rolling Tote Bag

2025 DEA Sponsors

WHY ENTER?

Gain Recognition: Elevate your product and brand with the distinction of being an AC Awards finalist or winner.

Exclusive Ac Seal: Finalists and winners earn the prestigious AC Seal—a lasting symbol of product excellence that can be promoted for the life of your product.

Unmatched Visibility: The Awards generate millions of impressions across AC Magazine and our social platforms, delivering unparalleled exposure.

Editorial Feature: Finalists are spotlighted in the Fall issue of AC Magazine, with winners celebrated in the Winter issue—reaching buyers, retailers, and press across the industry.

WINNERS:

ADIDAS
AIMEE KESTENBERG
AKNVAS
AKOLA
ALAIN MIKLI
AMERICAN OPTICAL
BAUBLEBAR
BENTZ LUXURY
BINATA MILLINERY
BOGG BAG
BRAHMIN
BRUNNACO
BROSWAY ITALIA
BURBERRY
CALERES
CAROLINA HERRERA
CHARLES & COLVARD
CHLOÉ
CHRIS DONOVAN FOOTWEAR
CITIZEN
COACH
COLETTE MALOUF
CONVERSE
DANIELA URIBE
DARIA DE KONING
DAVID BECKHAM EYEWEAR
DEEPA GURNANI
DORYN WALLACH
DR. SCHOLL’S SHOES
ECHO
EDIE PARKER
ESSILORLUXOTTICA
ÉTOILE
EVERINA
FFORA
FRANCO SARTO
FREIDA ROTHMAN
GIGI BURRIS MILLINERY
HAMMITT
HEARTS ON FIRE
JANE WIN JEWELRY
JARED X LULU FROST
JIMMY CHOO
KAMARIA JEWELRY
KBH JEWELS
KIMBERLY PUCCI
LAGOS
LANVIN
LAQUAN SMITH
LONGCHAMP
LUCCHESE
MARCHON
MARC JACOBS
MARGARET’S THE COUTURE CLEANERS
MARINA B
MARLYN SCHIFF
MERRELL
MONICA RICH KOSANN
NADRI
PIPER & SKYE
POLOGEORGIS
POPSOCKETS
PRADA
PRESS EYEWEAR
RAY-BAN
ROMEO HUNTE
SAFILO
SAMSONITE
SHAHLA KARIMI
SHED RAIN
SHINOLA
STUART WEITZMAN
THE OCEAN CLEANUP
TIMEX
TRAVELPRO
TYLER ELLIS
TWO BLIND BROTHERS
VERA BRADLEY
VERONICA BEARD
VINCE
VOGUE EYEWEAR
WALLAROO HAT COMPANY