What Accessories Council does

The Accessories Council (also branded as "The Ac" or "AC") is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1994 and headquartered in New York. It serves brands and industry stakeholders across five verticals: fashion accessories, jewelry, footwear, handbags, and optical/eyewear. The organization provides membership-based services including networking, industry resources, award programs, and trade show coordination, with the 30th anniversary celebrated in 2024 confirming three decades of continuous operation.

Its core products are organized around four pillars: (1) Ac Magazine, a digital and print editorial publication launched in 2021 that now features 78 brands and 297 pieces per issue with biannual and special editions; (2) two flagship awards programs, the ACE Awards (30th annual edition in 2026, a sold-out black-tie gala) and the Design Excellence Awards (7th annual edition with 2026 submissions open); (3) AC Showspace, a trade show exhibition platform, supplemented by market week and trade show date coordination; and (4) a membership program that connects brands with a professional team whose lineage spans retail, wholesale, merchandising, marketing, and publishing. Distribution and marketing extend across email newsletters, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, and earned media coverage in outlets such as WWD and Fashion Mannuscript.

The business model is membership-dues driven (subscription/recurring), with ancillary revenue likely from event sponsorships, magazine advertising, and trade show participation. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. GTM is event-driven and community-led, with flagship galas and award programs functioning as both revenue catalysts and brand visibility vehicles for members. Karen Giberson serves as President and CEO; the board includes representatives from Luxottica, Safilo, Marchon Eyewear, Vera Bradley, Bloomingdale's, and The NPD Group (now Circana).

Name

Accessories Council

Legal name

Accessories Council

Website

https://accessoriescouncil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Accessories Council is a not-for-profit New York-based trade association founded in 1994 that serves fashion accessories, jewelry, footwear, handbag, and optical brands through membership services, Ac Magazine editorial, the ACE Awards gala, Design Excellence Awards, and AC Showspace trade programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fashion Trade Association Services

NAICS

Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers (458), Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing (33991), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (458110)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Costume Jewelry & Novelties (3960)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Accessories (Scarves, Belts, Gloves, Hats) (CRAKAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Giftables & Lifestyle Accessories (Charms, Bag Accessories, Keychains) (CRAKAEAL), Luxury Accessories (Belts, Scarves, Hats, Small Leather Goods) (CRAAAFAE)

Keywords

• Fashion trade association
• Accessories industry membership
• Jewelry industry awards
• Industry networking events
• Trade publication services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Accessories Council generates revenue through membership fees paid by fashion accessory, jewelry, footwear, handbag, and optical brands. Membership opens brands to networking, resources, tools, and support from the Ac's professional team.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Accessories Council is a not-for-profit trade association that operates a membership-based platform serving fashion accessories, jewelry, footwear, handbag, and optical industry brands. It provides networking opportunities, awards programs (ACE Awards and Design Excellence Awards), publishes Ac Magazine, and coordinates trade shows and market week events to drive brand visibility and industry growth.

Product overview

Accessories Council (Ac) is a not-for-profit trade association for the fashion accessories, jewelry, footwear, handbag, and optical industries. Founded in 1994, it celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024. The organization operates as a platform connecting member brands through its Ac Magazine publication, two flagship awards programs (ACE Awards and Design Excellence Awards), trade show platforms (AC Showspace), networking events, and member services including newsletters and editorial opportunities. The portfolio is unified under the Ac brand umbrella, serving brands from emerging designers to heritage luxury houses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Trade association membership providing access to a network of accessory brands, professional resources, retail and wholesale expertise, merchandising, marketing, and publishing support. Brands apply for membership via the Accessories Council website.
• ACE Awards (Accessories Council Excellence Awards) Annual black-tie awards gala recognizing excellence among designers, brands, influencers, and industry leaders across the fashion accessories, jewelry, footwear, handbag, and optical industries. Now in its 30th year (2026), the 3-hour sold-out event takes nearly a year to organize.
• Design Excellence Awards Annual awards program celebrating innovation, creativity, and excellence in product design across the accessories industry, offering brands a platform for recognition and connection with a broader audience.
• Ac Magazine The official publication of Accessories Council, featuring fashion accessories, jewelry, footwear, handbags, and optical industry content. Published seasonally with special issues including Jewelry Issues, Eyewear Issues, and ACE Awards Editions. The Summer 2026 Jewelry Issue featured 78 brands and 297 pieces.
• AC Showspace Exhibition platform providing accessories brands with the ability to showcase products to industry professionals and buyers during market weeks and trade events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 78 brands and 297 pieces featured in the Summer 2026 Ac Magazine Jewelry Issue

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MarcolinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026Marcolin featured in ACE Magazine 2026 coverage, with an in-conversation piece with Karen Giberson published May 2026, indicating an ongoing editorial and industry relationship.
• NOW AwardscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2025Accessories Council partnered with NOW Awards in November 2025 to elevate and expand the NOW Awards program to spotlight global eyewear innovation. The partnership broadens the scope of recognition available to eyewear brands within the accessories ecosystem.
• CircanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025Accessories Council partnered with Circana (formerly NPD Group) to present the Accessories Council x Circana Growth Driver Award, recognizing Baggallini's Soho Backpack for outstanding growth performance.
• Jobson PublishingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025Accessories Council and Jobson Publishing announced a collaboration on Eyewear Design Week 2026. This partnership combines the Accessories Council's industry network with Jobson Publishing's eyewear media expertise to deliver educational programming for the eyewear design community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Retail Federation (NRF): Largest U.S. retail industry trade association representing thousands of retailers including Macy's and Bloomingdale's (Ac board members). Adjacent incumbent to the Ac's accessories/retail focus, with broader category scope and a much larger budget.

Direct peers

• Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA): U.S. footwear industry trade association serving brands, retailers, and distributors with research, advocacy, and networking. Comparable to the Ac's footwear membership segment and ACE Awards footwear honorees, with overlapping board members in the U.S. footwear ecosystem.
• American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA): U.S. trade association for the apparel and footwear industry, providing advocacy, compliance, and networking services. Comparable to the Ac's apparel and footwear verticals but with a broader manufacturing/policy mandate and overlapping member companies (e.g., Steve Madden).
• Jewelers of America: U.S. not-for-profit trade association representing the fine jewelry industry, providing membership benefits, advocacy, and industry education. Compares directly with the Accessories Council's jewelry-focused programming (ACE Awards jewelry categories, dedicated Jewelry Issues).
• Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA): U.S. not-for-profit trade association for the fashion industry, running membership services, awards (CFDA Fashion Awards), and industry events. Directly comparable to Accessories Council's role as a fashion-accessories trade body, though CFDA's scope skews apparel/designers rather than jewelry/footwear/eyewear.
• The Vision Council: U.S. trade association for the optical industry, serving eyewear manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers with research, advocacy, and trade events. Directly comparable to the Ac's optical/eyewear membership base and eyewear-focused editions of Ac Magazine.
• Fashion Group International: Global not-for-profit fashion industry organization providing networking, awards, and professional development across fashion, beauty, and accessories. Comparable to the Ac's networking, awards, and editorial programming with a heavier luxury/executive member focus.

Emerging players

• Jewelers International Showcase (JIS) / JA New York: Jewelry-specific trade show held in New York connecting jewelry brands with retail buyers. Comparable to the Ac's jewelry vertical programming and AC Showspace platform, focused on a narrower jewelry-only segment.

Others

• WGSN: Trend-forecasting and consumer insights provider serving fashion, accessories, and lifestyle brands. Adjacent to the Ac's partnership with Circana (formerly NPD Group) for data-driven awards, comparable as a B2B data and content partner to the accessories ecosystem.
• NY NOW (Emerald): Major biannual lifestyle and accessories trade show held in New York, featuring jewelry, handbags, and gift brands. Comparable as a trade show and market-week counterpart to AC Showspace and the Ac's market week coordination, though it is a for-profit event business rather than a non-profit association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AccessoryNews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5QrYHSBz5j_IbG0AGB7nXQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/AccessoriesCouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/accessories-council
• Instagraminstagram.com/accessoriescouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Accessories Council