Each year, the Council pays homage to those brands, designers and businesses that have had a big impact on the accessories industry by assigning the Accessories Council Excellence Awards.

Honorees are nominated and voted upon by their peers in the accessory industry, retailers, the Accessories Council Board of Directors and the fashion press. For 2016, the organization honored Ray-Ban as Brand of the Year. The prestigious awards were presented during a gala evening, which was held in New York on 2 August.

Almost 80 years of history have made Ray-Ban one of the most popular brand and recognized symbol of style and glamour around the world. Loved by celebrities and international personalities, the brand has had a distinct and lasting influence on international culture and lifestyle. The authenticity and timelessness of its models - from Aviator originally designed to protect the eyes of WWll pilots to Wayfarer and Clubmaster - earned Ray-Ban its iconic status. Tradition, innovation and fearlessness are the key elements that set the roots of the brand since 1937.

The ACE Award gives Ray-Ban the opportunity to celebrate some highlights achieved over the past 12 months. The fusion of Round and Clubmaster that led to Clubround, a new icon in the Ray-Ban family. The new brand campaign #ITTAKESCOURAGE that focuses on Ray-Ban’s DNA: the courage to be yourself. Being courageous does not mean absence of fear, but the ability to triumph over it and go beyond our limits. And then, the tireless research and experiments of new materials, new technologies, new designs to keep Ray-Ban at the forefront, not just of eyewear, but of culture.

“We rarely get to stop and look back” – said Fabrizio Uguzzoni, President of Luxottica Wholesale North America, before accepting the award on behalf of the brand. “With this award we’ve had the opportunity to look back on last year; I would say we did a lot on Ray-Ban, not only the launch of Clubround style but new icons. Sunglasses are a visible accessory, they are right on your face — impossible to hide. The product allows you to express yourself.”