Accessories Council Names Four Eyewear Brands as 2026 Design Excellence Award Winners

The Accessories Council announced the recipients of its eighth annual Design Excellence Awards following a ceremony in New York City. Four eyewear brands received category-specific honors: Blake Kuwahara Eyewear (Optical, Independent), Kendra Scott (Optical, Multi-Brand), HOUSE of MODO (Sun, Independent), and EssilorLuxottica Miu Miu (Sun, Multi-Brand). Hearts On Fire was awarded the Hall of Fame distinction, while New Balance received the Circana Top Item Award for its 9060 sneaker. Winners were selected via public voting from finalists chosen by the council’s board and press members based on design excellence and market relevance. The awards recognize products available for purchase in the U.S. during the 2026 eligibility period through various retail channels.