Silmo d’Or Awards celebrate design

The Silmo d’Or awards have been announced, recognising innovation in the optical and eyewear sector.

The 33^rd Silmo d’Or awards were announced as part of the optical show, which took place in Paris 25–28 September.

Awards recognised winners across a variety of categories including frames, optical equipment, and design.

Design Eyewear Group’s Karavan Kids received the award for children’s eyewear for its ‘ZigZag’ frame, which features bright HD geometric patterns.

Julbo was presented the award for sports eyewear for its ‘Panora’ design for cyclists. The ultra-wide spherical single lens design offers a wide field of view, while the frame is lightweight and ventilated.

Lancel took the award for the category of optical frame – labels, with its ‘Emeline’ frame. The oversized square frame features brown tortoiseshell acetate and signature lamination.

In the sunglasses – labels category, Safilo’s Victoria Beckham brand was recognised for its “glamorous aesthetic and unmistakably sophisticated feel.”

Caroline Abram took the award for sunglasses eyewear designer with ‘Sakura,’ while Maison Lune was recognised for optical frame eyewear designer with the ‘Galet’ frame – handmade in Montpellier.

For sunglasses craftsmanship and know-how, Brett’s ‘Ferdinand’ frame was selected as the winner, while in optical frames, Rolf Eyewear’s ‘Superbird’ was picked out from the shortlist. The frame features a thin layer of natural slate carefully bent around the curves of the frame.

Mega Optic was recognised in the vision category for the EvosightVR, a progressive lens customised based on dynamic measurements taken in virtual reality using eye-tracking technology.

Eschenbach Optik took the low vision award for the optaro XL, which turns an iPad into an electronic visual aid and a mobile screen reader.

In the equipment category, Nidek was recognised for the Phantom open-field binocular refraction system. The tool combines objective refraction, subjective refraction and visual acuity testing on a single platform.

Laclarée received an award for technological innovation in eyewear for its adaptive glasses for presbyopia, while Getd & Marienfeld was recognised in the smart eyewear category for its luxury artificial intelligence glasses.

The judging panel also recognised Paloceras for its ‘Pebble Dulce Drift’ sunglasses made from solid 8mm Mazzucchelli cellulose acetate.

Eschenbach Optik

Julbo

Rolf Eyewear

Additional awards presented during the Silmo event included the Responsible Company Prize, which was presented to Andy Wolf Eyewear.

The award recognised the brand’s work towards increasing sustainable practices – with 85% of its acetate frames made from Acetate Renew and aluminium phased out of case materials in favour of cardboard and recycled materials.

The brand says its supply chain is completely European and it also offers services that extend the life of its eyewear – from repairs, to second-hand sales, and a seven-year warranty on its AWearness collection.

Four local employment integration organisations are involved in production and 6% of the brand’s workforce is made up of people with disabilities.