NEW YORK — The Accessories Council today revealed the recipients of the 2011 Accessories Council Excellence Awards, which will be held here Nov. 7.
Founded in 1995 to celebrate both rising and established talent in the category, the honorees include Rebecca Minkoff, Philip Treacy, Temple St. Clair, Robert Marc, Haskell Jewels’ Frank Fialkoff, Tourneau, HSN, Marie Claire magazine and Kate Betts in categories ranging from business visionary award to breakthrough award to designer of the year. Additional awards may be revealed closer to the event.
“As the industry and council have grown, so many prestigious players have made an exciting mark on the accessory world — and we’ve been able to up the caliber and really expand ACE to include the different categories, companies, brands, individuals and designers that make our industry so exciting today,” Accessories Council President Karen Giberson told WWD.
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Giberson said categories vary year to year because she likes to make sure they remain topical and relevant. She cites millinery in particular as a re-emerging accessories trend in recent months — from the royal wedding to what consumers are wearing in the street — which is why it makes sense that royal milliner Philip Treacy will take home the award for designer of the year.
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Prior to the awards — to be held at Cipriani 42nd Street — the Accessories Council is partnering with Lincoln and Union Square Agency for a Fashion’s Night Out fete on Sept. 8, as well as gearing up for its first social media initiative with a charity tie-in. The council will team with prominent bloggers and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
“These are two things we’ve never done before,” Giberson said. “We want to do something online with bloggers to celebrate the companies that give back. So many of our brands have iconic products that are pink, and a portion of proceeds will go BCRF.”
The Winners
Here, a list of the awards and the recipients:
Mary Lou Luther Journalism Award: Kate Betts
Business Visionary Award: Frank Fialkoff
E-tailer: HSN
Visionary Award: Robert Marc
Magazine of the Year: Marie Claire
Breakthrough Award: Rebecca Minkoff
Hall of Fame: Temple St. Clair
Specialty Retailer: Tourneau
Designer of the Year: Philip Treacy