July 28, 2015 – New York, NY – Lividini & Co. and the Accessories Council have launched the second annual Emerging Designers Competition, an initiative to find and mentor a high-potential up-and-coming accessories, jewelry and footwear designers. The winner will participate in a one-year program, directed by L&Co. in partnership with the Accessories Council, which will provide mentoring and networking opportunities. The program will launch on July 28th, with the winner revealed at the Accessories Council’s ACE Awards Dinner on November 2nd.

The Emerging Designers Competition is open to accessories designers who have been in business for less than five years that are looking to strengthen their brand identity, marketing outreach, and/or distribution. To enter, applicants must submit a portfolio, which may include lookbooks, product information, wholesale distribution, and a business plan. In addition, applicants must be available for interviews in New York in the month of October.  Executives from retail, fashion and accessories industries, along with representatives from L&Co. and the Accessories Council will review all applications submitted. The judging panel will select up to ten finalists prior to the announcement of the winner at the ACE Awards.

“We are delighted to partner once again with the Accessories Council on our 2nd Annual Emerging Designers Competition,” said Jaqui Lividini, CEO of Lividini & Co. “We are so proud of the work we’ve done with our first winners, Fairchild Baldwin, and we look forward to watching their success unfold in the upcoming months.  In the ever-changing business of fashion, the need for programs that cultivate and develop new talent have become more critical than ever. It’s our responsibility to guide the next generation of brands and help them identify and communicate their unique brand proposition in this highly competitive environment.”

“The Accessories Council is delighted to be partnering with Lividini & Co. for the second year on this very important initiative,” said Karen Giberson, President of The Accessories Council.   “We met so many amazing companies and talented individuals through our competition in 2014.  We are looking forward to seeing new and hopefully some returning faces this year!  In today's rapidly changing business environment, programs like this allow us to help identify and boost the next wave of talent.”

Recipients will be rewarded with visibility for their brand, industry recognition, granted access to information, guidance, mentorship and resources from both L&Co. and members of the Accessories Council. Each recipient will also be given two designer showcases, a year’s membership to the Accessories Council, and inclusion in all Accessories Council press events for one year, free of charge.

About Lividini & Co.:

Launched in 2005, Lividini & Co is a brand strategy company that specializes in driving established and emerging brands to success through an innovative, cross-competency practice and approach. 

With an extraordinary team of professionals whose areas of expertise surpass those of traditional marketing communications agencies, L&Co. is widely recognized for delivering exceptional results with strategically grounded, creatively executed and measurably effective brand and business solutions.

About The Accessories Council:

The Accessories Council is a not-for-profit, international trade organization established in 1994. Our mission is to stimulate consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products. We serve the industry which generates over $52 billion dollars annually in the United States alone.

Over the past 20 years, membership has grown internationally to include over 290 members, representing the world’s leading brand names, designers, publications, retailers and associated providers for the accessories, eyewear and footwear industries.