Celebrating eyewear and practices in the Love Eyewear Awards shortlist

The shortlist for the Love Eyewear Awards has been revealed ahead of 100% Optical in April.

The awards form part of Love Eyewear Week (18-24 April), celebrating eyewear from independent and major designers, manufacturers and retailers.

In this year’s awards, companies could enter 11 different categories across eyewear, design and practice approaches.

A record-breaking number of submissions were received for the awards in 2022, with 100% Optical show director, Nathan Garnett, commenting: “The sheer number of entries is testament to the incredible talent we have in the industry, and each year the standard just gets better and better.”

Mac Eyewear has been shortlisted for a number of categories. Speaking to OT, Mark Carpenter, managing director, said: “We are so very delighted to be nominated within four Love Eyewear Award categories.

“It is the culmination of 16 years of hard work, in which we have strived to bring exclusive collections to UK independent opticians, helping to enable them to really stand out from the crowd,” he continued, calling it a “true team effort.”

Modo Eyewear has been shortlisted in three different categories, with its ‘7050 – R 1000 + Titanium’ frame included in the ‘Unisex frame of the year’ rankings, and the ‘Modo – 4106 – Paper Thin Titanium’ making the ‘Women’s frame of the year’ shortlist. Meanwhile, Modo’s eco line made the ‘Sustainable frame of the year’ shortlist with a bio acetate model.

Kirk & Kirk’s handcrafted ‘Thor’ frame made the ‘Men’s frame of the year’ shortlist. Celebrating the news online, the company highlighted the work of creative director and eyewear designer, Karen Kirk, calling the frame “pretty special; a hint of retro eyewear, hint of sport, and a tonne of personality.”

Caron Eyewear’s ‘Hello Gorgeous’ model has been shortlisted in the ‘Women’s frame of the year’ category, while the ‘Be Bold’ frame has made the ‘Women’s sunglasses frame of the year.’

Speaking to OT, Caron Kraitt, eyewear designer and founder of Caron Eyewear, called it a “huge honour” to have been shortlisted in the two categories, “alongside some of the most respected and progressive designers in the industry.”

“I’m immensely proud, as these awards validate our self-belief and dedication to our passion,” Kraitt continued, expressing her thanks to the judges and adding: “I wish all of the nominees the best of luck.”

Three optical businesses have been shortlisted for the ‘Eyewear retailer of the year’ award: Spexbox, Taank Optometrists, and Park Vision.

Taank Optometrists, an independent practice based in Cambridge, posted on social media: “We’re delighted to announce that we’re finalists in the 100% Optical ‘Eyewear practice of the year’ award, 2022. Thank you for inspiring us to be better every single day.”

Another three practices have been highlighted for ‘Most engaging practice window’ with an array of colourful displays from Cheadle Optical Ltd’s Station Road opticians, the Norwich-based Coleman Opticians, and Newbury’s Valarie Jerome Optometrists.

Commenting on the nomination, Valarie Jerome Optometrists posted their excitement at seeing the practice had been shortlisted, and highlighting a number of eyewear designers which are carried in the practice that also made the shortlist in the frame categories.

Coleman Opticians also shared their “delight” at being selected as a finalist in the awards. The practice put forward a display celebrating its dinosaur sculpture from the ‘GoGoDiscover’ art trail, ‘Eyela the T.spex’ who is adorned with illustrations of the equipment used in an optical practice.

“Our window design highlighted the charity Break, who we are supporting, and we had fun with the project, whilst encouraging people to enjoy the free trail around Norwich,” the practice said.

The award winners will be announced from the 100% Optical catwalk at 6.15pm on 23 April.

The full shortlist can be seen on the 100% Optical website.