November 10, 2023 (New York, NY) – The Accessories Council recently announced the winners for their 5th annual Design Excellence Awards at Fashionphile and the Veronica Beard Vesper Tall Shaft Boot Wide Calf was awarded best footwear over $250 retail. Caleres (NYSE:CAL) partners with Veronica Beard on its footwear line.
"This award is a testament to the strength of our partnership with Caleres. Together, we have been able to give our customer the ideal footwear offering for her layered life," said Stephanie Unwin, President of Veronica Beard.
“With distinct flair and spirited design details, our Veronica Beard Vesper boot embodies the brand’s laid-back luxe,” said Natelle Baddeley, chief design officer for Caleres. “It’s nod to a western aesthetic is crafted with modern, exquisite materials and details all resting on a 70s inspired stacked heel. It showcases our improved, sleek wide calf design creating a best-in-class, inclusive fit for everyone.”
The Vesper boot is also a One Planet Standard style, receiving one of Caleres’ highest sustainability ratings across its entire lifecycle.
Building on its history of honoring individuals and companies, the Accessories Council launched the Design Excellence Awards in 2019 to expand the recognition of outstanding products. The awards are intended to drive retail sales for the important holiday shopping season.
Design Excellence Award winners are representative of consumer tastes and trends that inform purchase power. Winning products were voted on by the public from finalist pools selected by the Accessories Council Board of Directors. Finalists were chosen based on the criteria of excellence in design, unique appearance and/or function, consumer needs addressed by product, appropriate aesthetics, innovative materials or technology, market positioning and competitive performance, social images, emotional appeal, and sustainability. It is this criterion in which consumers evaluate purchase and in which Design Excellence Award winners excelled.
About Veronica Beard:
Veronica Beard was founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard in 2010. What began as a rack of dickey jackets has expanded into a full lifestyle collection for the women who make it happen. Their motto: Look good, feel good, do good. Learn more about our #VBGivesBack initiative here.
About Caleres
Caleres is a market-leading portfolio of global footwear brands that includes Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer, Vionic, and more. Our products are available virtually everywhere - in the nearly 1,000 retail stores we operate, in hundreds of major department and specialty stores, on our branded e-commerce sites, and on many additional third-party retail websites. Combined, these brands make Caleres a company with both a legacy and a mission. Our legacy is our more than 140 years of craftsmanship and our passion for fit, while our mission is to continue to inspire people to feel great… feet first. Visit caleres.com to learn more about us.
About the Accessories Council:
The Accessories Council, a not-for-profit international trade association established in 1994. Its mission is to stimulate consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products. The Accessories Council serves the industry globally, which generates over $54 billion dollars annually in the United States alone. Membership is represented internationally by the world’s leading brand names, designers, publications, retailers and associated providers for the accessories, eyewear and footwear industries.
Source: Caleres