A' Design Awards open 2026 nominations for fashion and travel accessories

A' Design Award & Competition has opened entries for its 2026 Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Awards, with a September 30 deadline and results due May 1, 2027. The program targets designers and brands worldwide and offers winners publicity, exhibition opportunities and other design-prize benefits.

Why it matters: - The competition gives accessory designers and brands a global platform to showcase work in a category where style, function and craftsmanship all matter. - Winners can gain publicity, exhibition exposure in Italy and inclusion in A' Design Award rankings and related platforms. - The award is aimed at products that can help brands validate design quality in a crowded accessories market.

What happened: - A' Design Award & Competition opened nominations for the A' International Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Awards 2026. - The call for entries covers accessory designers, fashion designers, travel accessory designers, luxury goods manufacturers, leather goods designers, textile designers, industrial designers, product designers, jewelry designers, eyewear designers, footwear designers, handbag designers, fashion brands, travel accessory brands, accessory manufacturers, accessory innovation firms, consultancy groups and research and development companies worldwide. - Fashion accessories and travel products developed within the last 10 years are eligible. - Entry registration begins with a complimentary preliminary accessory design evaluation. - Projects that pass the preliminaries can move on to nomination, which carries a nominal fee. - The entry deadline is September 30, 2026. - Results will be announced on May 1, 2027.

The details: - The competition recognizes accessories that combine style, functionality and craftsmanship. - Eligible entries include handbags, luggage, wallets, belts, scarves, eyewear, leather goods, hats, travel bags, cravats, gloves and other travel accessories. - Entries are judged anonymously by an international jury of more than 300 academics, designers, fashion experts, product specialists and industry professionals. - Judging focuses on design quality, usability, aesthetics and innovation. - Professional-edition laureates receive the A' Design Prize. - The prize package includes a Design Excellence Certificate, a lifetime license to use the winner logo, a yearbook of best designs, exhibitions of awarded works in Italy, an award trophy, an invitation to the gala-night La Notte Premio A', translation of awarded works into foreign languages, entry to Prime Clubs, and inclusion in World Design Rankings, Designer Rankings, Accessory Design Classifications and Design Legends platforms. - Winners also receive an exclusive interview for the Designer Interviews website and inclusion in press kits. - The press kit package includes the interview, an award announcement release, design images, photographs of the designer, logos for the designer and client, high-resolution photos and a portfolio of other projects. - The press kits will be distributed to thousands of accredited press members. - Dozens of press partners have already confirmed they will publish a selection of winning projects. - Press members, fashion professionals, luxury brands, accessory manufacturers, retailers and design enthusiasts can view past winners at past winners. - Award details are available at award description. - Participants can register at enter the competition. - The broader A' Design Awards program covers fashion, accessories, product design and other creative disciplines. - More information is available at designaward.com.

Between the lines: - The two-phase structure lowers the barrier to entry by offering a preliminary evaluation before the paid nomination step. - The prize package is built as much around promotion as recognition, with press distribution and ranking-system visibility designed to extend the reach of winning work. - The anonymous jury model is intended to make the result depend on design merits rather than brand size or reputation.

What's next: - Designers and brands can submit eligible projects now and seek preliminary evaluation before the September deadline. - Shortlisted projects will advance to nomination and final judging before the May 1, 2027 results announcement. - Winners will later receive prize materials, interviews, press kits and distribution support after laureate selection.