In Pictures: The Accessories Council marks its 30th Anniversary at the annual ACE Awards

The Accessories Council celebrated its 30th anniversary last night during its annual Accessories Council Excellence Awards (ACE Awards), where recipients across eleven categories were honored.

Taking place at the historic Pierre Hotel in New York City, the sold-out gala marked three decades of acknowledging individuals and companies that have significantly contributed to enhancing the visibility of the accessories industry.

The Accessories Council hosts the annual ACE Awards

The 2024 ACE Awards celebrated its recipients, highlighting global brands and pioneers and placing them at the forefront of the fashion industry. The awards presented during the evening included Brand of the Year, which went to Coach; Design Innovation, which went to Cult Gaia; Designer of the Year, which went to Prabal Gurung; and the Legacy Award, which went to Foster Grant.

Michael Kors and Lance LePere attend the 2024 ACE Awards *Credits: Getty Images for Accessories Council)*

“Through the years, our industry has seen seismic shifts in manufacturing, materials, marketing and technology. We are so proud to recognize this year’s ACE Award winners tonight as we celebrate not only the pioneers and icons of our industry, but the new leaders who are paving the way forward to ensure that our businesses thrive,” said Karen Giberson, Accessories Council president & CEO, in a statement.

Founded in 1994, the Accessories Council is an international not-for-profit trade organization dedicated to boosting global consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessories. Representing over 330 members, including top brands, designers, and retailers, the Council generates over 50.8 billion USD annually in the United States and supports the industry through publications like Accessories Magazine, educational seminars, networking events, and the ACE Awards Gala.

Notable attendees at the black-tie ACE Awards event included Coco Rocha, Vera Wang, Rebecca Minkoff, Caroline Vazzana, Ebonee Davis, Lynn Yaeger, Nina Garcia, Sam & Libby Edelman, Stuart Vevers, Jeffrey Labeija, and Samil Labeija, among others.