Accessories Council Names 2026 Design Excellence Winners
The eighth annual awards recognized brands, companies, individuals and products in the accessories industry, with Hearts on Fire receiving the Hall of Fame Award.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Accessories
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The Accessories Council revealed winners of its 2026 Design Excellence Awards at a ceremony held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Hearts on Fire received the 2026 Hall of Fame Award, and Armando Allende won the new Made in the USA category for his Nexus drawstring handbag.
Why it matters
The awards highlight design achievement across the accessories industry and, with the addition of a Made in the USA category, draw attention to domestic production in a sector where the council notes that 97 percent of U.S. purchased garments are produced offshore.
The awards are in their eighth annual year and were decided through industry expertise and public voting. Finalists were chosen by the Accessories Council's board of directors and members of the press.
The players
Accessories Council
A not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 that represents and promotes the accessories industry and runs the Design Excellence Awards.
Hearts on Fire
A Boston-based jewelry brand owned by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group that received the 2026 Hall of Fame Award.
Armando Allende
A handbag designer who won the Made in the USA category for his Nexus drawstring handbag, produced in New Jersey.
The details
Hearts on Fire, Boston-based and owned by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, was honored as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Allende designs his handbags in New Jersey, and the council added the Made in the USA category to its awards this year.
Timeline
The Accessories Council was founded in 1994.
The 2026 Design Excellence Awards winners were revealed on Monday, November 2, 2026.
Market Landscape
The addition of a Made in the USA category to the Design Excellence Awards this year signals the council's effort to spotlight domestic production in an industry where 97 percent of U.S. purchased garments are produced offshore. The recognition positions American-made accessories alongside established design honors in a competitive market.
Shoppers interested in domestically made handbags may look for the Made in the USA designation when evaluating products. The awards give buyers a reference point for design recognition within the accessories market.
The takeaway
Industry recognition like the Design Excellence Awards can help shoppers identify well-designed accessories, including those made in the United States. Checking award winners is one practical way to find products that stand out in a crowded market.
Further reading
Explore more Accessories coverage to see how industry honors like these fit into the broader market.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWD.
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