NEW YORK—Organizers of the Accessories Council's  5th Annual Design Excellence Awards (DEA) are reminding companies that the deadline for submissions is Aug. 31. "The Design Excellence Awards were created to formally recognize the products that make our industry so dynamic. The goal of the awards is to provide our finalists and winners a tool to promote your items, initiate conversation and inspire sales in the important 3rd and 4th quarters," stated Karen Giberson, president and CEO of the Council. "We have a wide variety of categories to offer opportunities for all. We hope to see your entry form and look forward to celebrating your designs."

Sunwear and optical eyewear are among the DEA categories as are brand collaborations, social purpose/charity, sustainability, new technology and innovation, among other accessories sectors like fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, handbags and soft accessories.

Finalists and winners will receive recognition for their product and brand. Each finalist and winner will receive an "AC Seal" that can be used on the product for the life of the item. (Last year, the AC had over 110,000 votes for products). Finalists will be featured in the Fall issue of the Ac Magazine (out the first week of October) and winners will be featured in the Winter issue of the Ac Magazine (out the first week of January). The application is posted here.

Finalists will be announced on Sept. 7 and winners announced on Nov. 8. To apply, the member cost is $125 and the non-member cost is $150.

Sponsors of the AC's Design Excellence Awards include Marchon, FashionGo, Fashionphile and LIM College.