Fashion excellence has been celebrated all around this week, kicking things off with Monday’s Met Gala and continuing the party with an illustrious celebration of accessory excellence on Tuesday.
New York City’s Pierre Hotel played host to a dazzling celebration of style and innovation as The Accessories Council presented its annual Accessories Council Excellence Awards. This year marked the organization’s 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of honoring trailblazers and trendsetters in the accessories industry.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 07: (L-R) Marina Larroude, Prabal Gurung, Awkwafina, Tina Leung, Ezra J. William and Phillip Lim attend the 2024 ACE Awards at The Pierre Hotel on May 07, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Accessories Council)
The sold-out gala event recognized outstanding individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to elevating the accessories industry on a global scale. Throughout the evening, eleven awards were given to deserving recipients.
Among the highlights of the evening were:
Brand of the Year:
Coach, accepted by Todd Kahn, who received the honor presented by Sophie Thatcher.
Design Innovation:
Cult Gaia, accepted by Jasmin Larrian Hekmat, celebrated for pushing the boundaries of design, presented by Chrissy Teigen.
Designer of the Year:
Prabal Gurung, recognized for his exceptional creativity and vision, presented by Laura Kim, Tina Leung, Phillip Lim, and Ezra J. William, collectively known as “The Slaysians.”
Hall of Fame:
Fern Mallis, a pioneer in the fashion industry, honored for her enduring contributions, presented by Tamron Hall.
Legacy Award:
Foster Grant, accepted by Sal Mauceri, acknowledging the brand’s lasting influence, presented by Kat Graham.
Operational Excellence:
Aria Logistics, recognized for their outstanding operational achievements, accepted by Arelis Bonilla and presented by Karen Giberson, President & CEO of The Accessories Council.
Rising Star:
Larroudé, accepted by Marina Larroudé, celebrating emerging talent in the industry, presented by Awkwafina.
Specialty Retailer:
Elyse Walker, applauded for their unique contributions to the retail landscape, presented by Marni Senofonte.
Style Icon Award:
Linda Fargo, honored for her iconic influence on fashion, presented by Michael Kors.
Style Influencer:
Dana Covarrubias, costume designer of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” recognized for her impact on style and culture, presented by Michael Cyril Creighton.
Retailer of the Year:
Jared, accepted by Claudia Cividino, celebrated for excellence in retail, presented by LaQuan Smith.
Karen Giberson, President & CEO of The Accessories Council, expressed pride in the ACE Award winners, emphasizing their role as leaders shaping the future of the industry.
The event saw a star-studded guest list, including luminaries such as Coco Rocha, Vera Wang, Rebecca Minkoff, and Nina Garcia, among others, who gathered to celebrate excellence in accessories.
We had the opportunity to speak with some of the wonderful presenters and nominees. Check out the conversations below!