So often powerful impact is the result of powerful leadership. It is equally understandable that Marchon Eyewear president and CEO Claudio Gottardi has scored the 2015 Accessories Council Excellence Leadership Award as nominated and voted on by peers in the accessory industry, retailers, the Accessories Council Board and the fashion press.

Gottardi’s stand at the front of the pack in optical is one of the primary reasons eyewear has reinforced its own role as an ultimate accessory within the domain of ALL accessories. That personal stance encompasses a passion for global responsiveness, savvy understanding of an array of fashion and lifestyle brands (ranging from dominators such as Calvin Klein and Nike to niche-cool G-Star Raw) AND a deep understanding of what it takes to nurture brands built on the distinct eyewear heritage (Flexon and Skaga).

Gottardi is in lofty ACE Award company including Ariel Foxman, editor-in-chief of InStyle Magazine with the Marylou Luther Journalism Award, Ivanka Trump, real estate developer and entrepreneur with the Breakthrough Award, Mitchells with the Specialty Retailer Award, Moda Operandi with the Retail Innovation Award, Nancy Gonzalez with the Innovation Award and Swarovski with the Legacy Award.

Gottardi exclusively notes for 20/20, “I am honored to accept this 2015 ACE Leadership Award and join the list of past recipients who are both admired and respected in our industry.”

As the Accessories Council Hall of Fame winner in 2014, 20/20 looks forward to the event celebrating this terrific honor for Gottardi, one of optical’s most esteemed leaders.

—James J. Spina