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.
Categories Include
• Brand Collaborations
• Eyewear (Optical) Independent (1-2 Brands)
• Eyewear (Optical) Multi-Brand (3 or More Brands)
• Eyewear (Sun) Independent (1-2 Brands)
• Eyewear (Sun) Multi-Brand (3 or More Brands)
• Fashion Jewelry Under & Over $100
• Fine Jewelry Under & Over $10,000
• Footwear Under & Over $250
• General Accessories (Soft Accessories, Scarves, SLG’s, Gloves, Belts, Hats, and Umbrellas)
• Handbags Under & Over $1,000
• Made in the USA
• Millinery & Hair Accessories
• Social Impact & Sustainability
• Tech & Innovation (Smart & Tech Accessories, Including Luxury & Fashion Watches)
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.
2025 DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
HALL OF FAME
Swarovski
CIRCANA GROWTH DRIVER
baggallini Soho Backpack
BRAND COLLABORATION
Cove Fine Jewelry Wequassett Centennial Ring
EYEWEAR, OPTICAL (INDEPENDENT)
MODO Eyewear 5002
EYEWEAR, OPTICAL (MULTI-BRAND)
State Optical Co. Vivian
EYEWEAR, SUN (INDEPENDENT)
SELIMA x NICO Le Matt
EYEWEAR, SUN (MULTI-BRAND)
Barton Perreira Auriol
FASHION JEWELRY UNDER $100
Melinda Maria Baby Love Letter Medallion Necklace
FASHION JEWELRY OVER $100 (TIE)
Donna Karan New York Jewelry Collection Cuff
FASHION JEWELRY OVER $100 (TIE)
FREIDA ROTHMAN Garden of Grit Hammered Statement Bracelet
FINE JEWELRY UNDER $1,000
CYNTHIA RYAN Astragal Stacking Band
FINE JEWELRY OVER $1,000
Jane Win Jewelry LOVE 14k Pink Tourmaline Quatrefoil Coin Pendant
FURMARK FIRST NATIONS AWARD
Atikuss Coyote Trimmed Mittens
FOOTWEAR UNDER $250
Cole Haan Felicia Bow Pumps
FOOTWEAR OVER $250
Veronica Beard Tarian Boot
GENERAL ACCESSORIES
Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. Large Original Duffel Bag
HANDBAGS UNDER $1,000
8 Other Reasons Dixie Tote Bag
HANDBAGS OVER $1,000 (TIE)
Rafe New York Azura Minaudière
HANDBAGS OVER $1,000 (TIE)
Siena Wolf No.14 Shoulder Bag
FURMARK AWARD
Saga Furs Creative Hub Fox and Mink Mittens
MILLINERY & HAIR ACCESSORIES
Deepa Gurnani Halo Headband
SOCIAL IMPACT
ABLE x Leigh Ann Barnes The Revival Bag
SUSTAINABILITY
Mela Luna in Zest
TECH & INNOVATION
Hulken The Original Rolling Tote Bag