SILMO Paris Launches 4th Edition of the Optical Design Contest
Calling Future Innovators
SILMO Paris, the iconic event in the optics and eyewear sector since 1967, is once again championing creativity and innovation with the 4th edition of the Optical Design Contest.
This initiative reaffirms SILMO’s commitment to fostering expertise, supporting the industry, and inspiring the next generation of talent.
A Platform for Tomorrow’s Visionaries
The Optical Design Contest serves as a powerful springboard for design students worldwide, encouraging them to push the boundaries of innovation in optics and eyewear. This inspiring challenge invites participants to showcase their vision for the future, encouraging them to become active contributors in an ever-evolving industry.
Internationally renowned Belgian designer and interior architect Michel Penneman is renowned for his innovative hotel renovations and his mastery of architectural narrative and colour. Since his first projects in the 1990s, he has adopted an eclectic, conceptual approach, marked by a particular interest in light, transparency and adapting to the spirit of the place.
Theme of the 2025 Contest: Superhero Glasses
This year, the competition delves into the transformative potential of eyewear. Students will explore how eyewear can transcend its traditional function to become a powerful tool for:
- Enhancing vision and expanding perceptions of the world,
- Transforming vision and the environment around us,
- Redefining eyewear as cutting-edge technology rather than merely a health accessory.
Participants are tasked with creating bold, innovative designs that elevate eyewear to instruments of transformation, offering a new way to view and interact with the world.
Terms and Conditions of Entry
The contest is open to students in their 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of a design program. Submissions, whether individual or team projects, must be submitted by 16 June 2025 on the dedicated platform.
Evaluation Criteria
Entries will be judged on:
- Innovation,
- Functional relevance,
- Responsible commitment, and
- Technical feasibility.
Finalists will be announced in July 2025, and their prototypes will be exhibited at SILMO Paris 2025.
A Prestigious Prize
The winning designer will not only gain industry recognition but also receive a €10,000 prize, split equally between the individual (or team) and their school. The winning design will also be prominently featured at SILMO Paris 2026, ensuring wide exposure for the project.
Key Dates to Remember
- 16 June 2025: Closing date for entries
- July 2025: Announcement of nominees
- 26 September 2025: Prize ceremony during SILMO Paris
Join the Challenge!
The Optical Design Contest 2025 is more than just a competition—it’s an invitation to reimagine the possibilities of eyewear and shape the future of the industry. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your creativity and innovation to a global audience.
About SILMO
Silmo Paris 2026 – International Eyewear Trade Fair
September 25-28, 2026
Paris Nord, Villepinte
SILMO Paris 2026 is the most exciting international eyewear and optics trade fair, held at the Exhibition Center Paris Nord Villepinte. This Silmo Paris eyewear show welcomes professionals from across the optical sector, serving as both a marketplace and an incubator of ideas. Each year, the fair reveals innovations, technological challenges, and future perspectives that help define tomorrow’s eyewear industry.
Key Facts – Silmo Paris 2025 Dates and Location
Square meters
Brands
Visitors
SILMO Paris 2026
THE PLACE TO BE, TO SEE, TO FORESEE!
Why Silmo Paris 2026 is the Place to Be:
From September 25 to 28, 2026, Paris Nord Villepinte will once again become the global stage of the eyewear industry. Welcoming thousands of professionals and leading brands, Silmo Paris international eyewear fair is where new collections are unveiled, business connections are made, and eyewear trends for 2026 and beyond are set.
This is not just an optical trade fair in France; it’s an industry-defining experience where daring creators, innovative manufacturers, and passionate opticians come together to share their vision of the future.
"As the place to see, the Silmo Paris eyewear show showcases the very best in optics, all under one roof. From visionary designs and breakthrough lens technologies to sustainable materials and smart glasses, this is where visitors get a front-row seat to the future of eyewear. Every corner of the exhibition buzzes with discoveries, offering visitors a chance to explore the products and innovations that will soon define their own shelves and practices."
SILMO Next – Innovation Hub for Eyewear
At the SILMO Next innovation hub, visitors step into a laboratory of the future. Here, emerging technologies, digital solutions, and cutting-edge design concepts are showcased. From sustainable materials and smart glasses to AI-driven retail solutions, SILMO Next sets the tone for the next generation of eyewear.
Eyewear Trends at Silmo Paris 2026
The Trends Forum offers a curated journey through the season’s most influential eyewear pieces. Attendees gain insights into color directions, material innovations, and shape evolutions before they hit the mainstream. This section has become a key resource for professionals looking to anticipate the eyewear trends Silmo Paris 2025 will bring to the market.
Knowledge Sharing – Silmo Talks and Academy
Learning is central to Silmo Paris optical trade fair. Through Silmo Talks and the Silmo Academy, visitors engage with world-renowned experts. Topics range from clinical breakthroughs to retail strategies, offering knowledge that helps shape the future of the optical profession.
Celebrating Excellence – Silmo d’Or Awards 2026
SILMO Paris is also a celebration of creativity and achievement. The prestigious Silmo d’Or awards 2026 honor outstanding eyewear design and technological innovation.
Other Awards and Recognitions
-
Optical Design Contest – spotlighting young creative talent
-
Responsible Company Award – rewarding sustainability and ethical practices
-
International Optician of the Year Award – presented in collab with the IOA
Honoring Craftsmanship and Heritage
Visitors can explore the artistry of French eyewear making. From the skills of the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France to exhibitions from the museums of Oyonnax and Morez, SILMO Paris celebrates the heritage and craftsmanship that continue to inspire the industry.
Staying Connected Beyond the Fair
The conversation doesn’t end when the doors close. With SILMO News updates and “The Right Optics by SILMO” podcast, the event keeps professionals engaged throughout the year, offering stories, interviews, and insights that extend the impact of the show Silmo Paris Paris Nord Villepinte.
More news on SILMO Paris 2026
SILMO Paris 2026 // Where the Industry Moves
There is a moment each year when the optical industry stops reacting and starts defining what comes next. SILMO Paris 2026 is that moment. From global brands to emerging innovators, from craftsmanship to technology, everything converges in Paris. It is where ideas gain direction, where conversations become collaborations, and where the future of eyewear quietly begins to take shape.
SILMO Paris // A New Vision Takes Shape in 2026
SILMO Paris is entering a new chapter. For the 2026 edition, the global optical trade show introduces a new identity and campaign built around a clear message: “The Season Starts Here.” As the industry prepares to gather in Paris this September, SILMO positions itself once again as the moment when innovation, design and new ideas begin shaping the next eyewear season.
Vuarnet // TEFtalk with Vuarnet Brand Director Giulia Zanzi
At SILMO Paris 2025, TEF Magazine sat down for a #TEFtalk with Giulia Zanzi, Brand Director at Vuarnet, to explore how this iconic performance eyewear brand continues to evolve under Thélios. Zanzi reflects on Vuarnet’s legacy of French craftsmanship, technological precision, and timeless style built for life’s every adventure.
SILMO Academy Bali // Vision Meets Paradise
For the first time, SILMO Academy heads to Bali for a three-day international congress from April 6–8, 2026, dedicated to visual health, research, and innovation. Hosted by SILMO Paris, this new edition brings together world-leading experts to explore themes such as Healthy Ageing, Light Management, and Future Advances in Optometry, all set against the tranquil and inspiring backdrop of Hotel Paradisus, Bali.
Optical Women’s Association // Empowering Global Voices at SILMO Paris
OWA Global Connection Event Celebrating Women in Optical Innovation The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) marked another milestone for global collaboration with its Global Connection Event at SILMO Paris, titled “Seeing Beyond: The Power of Women in Optical...
Design Eyewear Group // Lars Flyvholm on Creative Synergy and Trade Shows
At SILMO Paris 2025, TEF Magazine sat down with Lars Flyvholm, CEO of Design Eyewear Group, for an exclusive #TEFtalk interview on design collaboration, the Menrad acquisition, and the future of optical tradeshows. This Design Eyewear Group Lars Flyvholm interview reveals how creative teamwork and strategic vision shape one of Europe’s most dynamic independent eyewear groups.
SILMO Paris 2025 Report // Where Tomorrow Takes Shape
The official SILMO Paris 2025 report captures a landmark edition filled with innovation, artistry, and sustainability. Over 33,000 professionals and 900 exhibiting companies converged in Paris to shape the future of eyewear through AI-driven technology, avant-garde design, and the prestigious SILMO d’Or Awards.
SILMO d’Or 2025 // Official Nominees Revealed
The stage is set for the SILMO d’Or 2025, as the official nominees are announced across 12 categories, from children’s eyewear to smart glasses. A celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation, the winners will be revealed on September 27 at Pavillon Gabriel during SILMO Paris 2025.
SILMO Paris 2025 // SILMO Tech Village unveils the future of optics
The SILMO Tech Village debuts at SILMO Paris 2025, spotlighting smart eyewear and AI with 20 pioneering exhibitors, exclusive demos, and inspiring talks by leaders like Snapchat, Meta, and Google. More than an exhibition, it is a laboratory of ideas where technology, research, and design converge to shape the future of optics.
SILMO Paris // OWA Global event Paris
The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) is set to expand its international presence with a Global Connection Event at SILMO Paris 2025. The panel discussion, “Seeing Beyond: The Power of Women in Optical Innovation”, will feature leading voices from EssilorLuxottica, Bausch & Lomb, and Silhouette, moderated by OWA’s Nancy Gries. Supported by SILMO, the event will highlight how women are shaping the future of technology, AI, sustainability, and vision health in the optical industr
