Eyewear exhibitors line up launches for 100% Optical

100% Optical 2019 opens its doors at ExCeL London this weekend (12–14 January) and will feature eyewear companies showcasing their latest innovations.

Event director of the show, Nathan Garnett said: “Our one-stop-show offers visitors a journey of discovery and aims to inspire visitors with business intelligence and ideas to help them identify and work towards their future vision, be it for personal career progression or their optical practice.”

Celebration of styles

The 20/20 catwalk fashion shows will be taking place across the weekend, with junior models wearing children’s frames on Sunday.

Eyewear exhibitors include International Eyewear, who will bring its ‘shop style’ stand to the event. It will showcase its collections alongside hints and tips on how to merchandise its brands in practice.

International Eyewear will launch Marc O’Polo Eyewear, which the company describes as a premium, casual brand with contemporary flair and urban appeal. The eyewear collection from designer handbag and accessories brand Lulu Guinness will also be on display.

Waterside Labs will return to 100% Optical for the sixth consecutive year and will preview the Bear Grylls and Revo sunglasses collection for the first time in the UK.

Joint managing director at Waterside Labs, Chris Smith, said: “We are really excited to be the only lab in Northern Europe offering the Revo prescription programme and the addition of the Bear Grylls collection can only increase the profile of the brand in the UK.”

De Rigo will be showcasing spectacles and sunglasses from its new license brand, Mulberry. The collection features the fashion brand’s tree logo with some styles featuring an engraved design on the frame tips.

Frames include ‘Le Style Anglais,’ which is a soft-coloured acetate model with a metal plaque on the sides. Acetate and metal combination frames include the ‘New Perspective,’ which is available in “unusual shapes.”

Dunelm Optical will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary with fashion designer Paul Costelloe on-stand to meet attendees on Saturday.

Product development director at Dunelm Optical, Oliver Beaumont, said: “Paul Costelloe has worked with Dunelm Optical for 10 years and his design pedigree is second to none. It is a privilege to have him join us.”

Around the show

100% Optical will also include an education programme designed for the entire practice team and delivered by the AOP.

On Saturday night, the annual opening party at the central bar will take place with live entertainment and informal networking opportunities. At 9pm, the ‘rockaoke’ party and SeeAbility fundraiser will take place at the Fox pub.

The AOP Awards will take place on Sunday night, celebrating the achievements of the profession with a gala dinner. Found out about this year’s finalists on the AOP website.