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| Photo courtesy of Andrew Egan for Ac Magazine |
NEW YORK—The Accessories Council (Ac), an international, not-for-profit trade association dedicated to boosting global consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessories, has released the Winter 2026 issue of Ac Magazine, celebrating the digital publication’s fifth anniversary. Conceived by the magazine’s creative director Andrew Egan and editor-in-chief Karen Giberson, the new issue focuses specifically on the art of the handbag, according to the announcement. Issue highlights include an exclusive interview with actress, author, and philanthropist Cornelia Guest, who offers a look into her lavish lifestyle, shares her refined, yet practical approach to fashion, highlights her favorite designers, and provides a sneak peek at her upcoming book, “There Are Blondes, And There Are Blondes.”
The issue also contains interviews with industry leaders, including: Ilene Hochberg Wood, luxury goods collector; Sarah Davis, founder of FASHIONPHILE; Nancy Berger, founder of Start With A Good; Brandee Dallow, president of Ethical Metalsmiths; Filomena Roma, handbag designer and high-quality leather goods expert; and Melissa Gonzalez, founder of MG2 Advisory.
Features on brands include: DiFerdinando, Hammitt, Margaret’s the Couture Cleaner, MELE + MARIE, OLEADA, Porte Lux, Strathberry and V12 Marketing.
The issue also highlights photography featuring pieces from brands including Armando Allende, Badgley Mischka, Beatriz , Brahmin Leather Works, Burberry, Cole Haan, Dior Dolce Vita, Dooney & Bourke, Echo New York, Eittem, Etro, Falchi, Fendi, Free Maison, Gabriela Hearst, Joseph Duclos, Kate Spade, Lambertson, Lanvin, Lele Sadoughi, Mark Cross, Moschino, Prada, Rafe, RAMLA, Sam Edleman, Simitri, SOL & MER, Tyler Ellis, Valentina, Veronica Beard, VINCE and ZINK.
Photos and highlights from the 2025 Design Excellence Awards, held on November 3 in New York City which honored exceptional creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation across the accessories industry, are also featured in the issue.
“My love affair with handbags began in the mid-1990s when I was a merchant at QVC, working with Wathne, a respected brand and private label manufacturer. It was my first education in the category, selecting essential silhouettes, studying materials and learning how to balance fashion with function,” said Giberson. “I still remember walking into a meeting thrilled with how a particular purse had turned out, only to be corrected swiftly and memorably. You purse your lips, you read a pocketbook, and you carry a handbag. After the initial shock and a touch of embarrassment, my vocabulary and appreciation for the craft shifted forever. It’s a lesson I’ve shared many times since, always with a gentle delivery.”
She added, “Since that early schooling, I’ve had the privilege of traveling the world and visiting more than 100 handbag factories. The conclusion remains the same: bags are little miracles. They are works of art, built piece by piece from dozens of components, expertly assembled by hand into something functional, expressive and beloved. The perfect bag balances beauty and utility. A wardrobe of bags ready for every occasion remains as one of fashion’s smartest investments.”
The Accessories Council and Jobson Publishing, publisher of Vision Monday and 20/20 magazine, announced in October 2025 a groundbreaking partnership to present a united and cohesive magazine, education platform and networking program titled “20/20 x AC, The Ultimate Guide to NYC Eyewear Design Week,” which is to take place March 5-8 in New York City.
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