Love Eyewear Award 2027 judges announced

The judging panel has been revealed for the Love Eyewear Awards at 100% Optical 2027.

The awards recognise creativity and innovation in eyewear and optical practices across 13 categories.

New for the 2027 event is the collaboration of the year category. This will celebrate an outstanding partnership between two or more businesses that demonstrates a clear shared vision, creativity, and measurable impact resulting in an innovative product, creative campaign, memorable event or positive industry initiative.

The judging panel is made up of 12 experts from optometry practice, eyewear design, and media:

• Beedie on Eyewear, Eyewear content creator and optometrist
• Hayley Brunsden, founder and optometrist at CBTR Opticians
• Saira Patel, dispensing optician, founder of Monarkh Eyewear and winner of the Love Eyewear Award for new designer in 2026
• Daniel Scott, founder of The Eyewear Stylist and The Eyewear Styling Society
• Rebecca Thompson, eyewear strategist, dispensing optician, Eye Style Journal
• Autianna Makarizadeh, founder of Eyewear Love Affair
• Clodagh Norton, director of Eyestylist and editor-in-chief of 20/20 Europe Magazine
• Daniel Feldman, executive editor of The Optical Journal
• Maarten Weidema, founder of The Eyewear Forum
• Nicky Hambelton Jones, stylist and TV presenter
• Nuria Laes, eyewear influencer
• Stefano Ampollini, editor-in-chief of Eyebook.

Commenting on her role as a Love Eyewear Award judge, Hayley Brunsden told OT: “Building CBTR has given me a real appreciation for the creativity that goes into both designing exceptional eyewear and creating a memorable experience in practice. It’s a privilege to join the judging panel, and I’m looking forward to seeing how designers and retailers are bringing fresh ideas and individuality to our industry.”

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Daniel Scott said of his role: “It is both a privilege and an honour to be judging the Love Eyewear Awards 2027 alongside such incredible peers and experts in the industry from across the globe. The international nature of the judging panel is something I think is both important and reflective of the way our industry is heading.”

This approach shows the international appeal of 100% Optical, Scott suggested, sharing: “Taking it beyond domestic consideration and out to a wider international audience can only be good for the growth of the Great British optical industry.”

He added: “I can’t wait to see who the entrants are this year and how they’ve been driving the industry forward.”

The awards are free to enter and close on 1 December 2026, with the shortlist to be shared in January 2027.

The winners will be revealed on 27 February during a ceremony at 100% Optical.