The Accessories Council has long been about discovering the “next generation” of accessories designers.
For over 20 years the not-for-profit Accessories Council has brought various brands together to sponsor and judge the work of graduating students for the FIT Next Generation Awards. The 2018 awards showcased an array of new talent as well as introduced two new categories, Watch Design sponsored by Timex and Umbrella Design sponsored by Blunt Umbrellas. Representatives from each company judged the students’ designs and chose first and second prize in their respective categories.
Sponsors & Winners
Excellence in Eyewear Design winners, Ishita Rahul (left) and Arielle Domb (right) with Casey Klugman (center) of Tura Eyewear.
Eyewear Design: Tura Eyewear
First Prize: Ishita Rahul
Second Prize: Arielle Domb
Excellence in Fashion Jewelry Design winners, Anni Jurgenson and Angely Martinez with Joanne Chang (left) and Daphna Hoffman (right) of the Jewelry Group.
Fashion Jewelry: The Jewelry Group
First Prize: Anni Jurgenson
Second Prize: Angely Martinez
Fine Jewelry Design: Xcel Brands
First Prize: Tiffany Doan
Second Prize: Gabrielle Furmanov
Excellence in Footwear Design winners, Kimberly Gonzalez (center) and Alvise Vidali (right) with Nicolas Huneault (left) of Caleres.
Footwear Design: Caleres
First Prize: Kimberly Gonzalez
Second Prize: Alvise Vidali
Excellence in Handbag Design winners, Angeles Shih and Jisuk Song with Christine Lee and Jennifer Sacco of Kipling. (Pictured Left to Right)
Handbag Design: Kipling
First Prize: Angeles Mariel Shih
Second Prize: Jisuk Song
Excellence in Portfolio Design winners, Caitlyn Perkins and Sena Dzablu-Kumah with Rachel Rowberry (center) of Collection 18.
Portfolio: Collection 18
First Prize: Caitlyn Leigh Perkins
Second Prize: Sena Dzablv-Kumah
Excellence in Watch Design winners, Arielle Domb and Maya Zanzouri with Amy Pflaum and Stephanie Larson of Timex.
Watch Design: Timex
First Prize: Arielle Domb
Second Prize: Maya Zanzouri
Excellence in Umbrella Design winners, Elicia Lim (left) and Angeles Shih (right) with Mark Duffin (center) of Blunt Umbrellas.
Umbrella Design: Blunt Umbrellas
First Prize: Elicia Lim
Second Prize: Angeles Mariel Shih
Millinery: FGX International
First Prize: Stan Gamel
Second Prize: Vlada Kabatyanskaya
Photos taken by Victoria Pizzo