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 // 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
SILMO Paris // Optical Design Contest 2025 Finalists Redefine Vision
SILMO Paris // International Optician of the Year Finalists 2025
SILMO Paris has revealed the finalists for the International Optician of the Year 2025. Dive into this celebration of optical excellence and discover who’s shaping the future of eye care.
SILMO Paris // Shaping Tomorrow with SILMO Next
At the heart of SILMO Paris 2025, SILMO Next stands as the visionary hub where smart materials, AI, and connected eyewear converge. Discover how this immersive space redefines the future of optics with year-round insights, expert-led think tanks, and interactive tech showcases.
TEFtalkSILMO // Daniel Benhams
At Silmo Paris 2024, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Daniel Benhams, a visionary eyewear designer celebrated for his oversized yet glamorous frames. His creations cater to elegant women who see eyewear as a bold expression of their individuality. In this exclusive interview, Daniel shares his inspirations, the craftsmanship behind his statement pieces, and how he continues to redefine luxury eyewear for the modern woman.
TEFtalkSILMO // Kalopsia Revisionist Eyewear
At Silmo Paris, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patricia Photiou, the founder and designer of the Greek eyewear brand Kalopsia Revisionist. . Patricia shared her vision behind the brand, which is deeply rooted in the concept of seeing beauty in the unexpected and fostering a world built on voluntary cooperation, reverence, and humanity.
Silmo d’Or // Winners 2024 Edition
The prestigious SILMO d’Or awards, the ultimate accolade in the optics and eyewear sector, have once again recognized the industry’s most innovative and creative achievements. This year’s winners, selected from an impressive list of nominees, showcase cutting-edge design, technology, and craftsmanship that push the boundaries of eyewear. Let’s take a closer look at the exceptional brands and designers who earned this coveted recognition!
Silmo Paris // 2024 highlights
SILMO Paris 2024 once again proved itself as the premier event for the optical industry, showcasing the latest trends and offering immersive experiences. Over four dynamic days, the show brought together industry professionals for inspiring connections, cutting-edge...
Silmo d’Or // Nominees 2024 edition
A not-to-be-missed event since its launch in 1994, the SILMO d’Or rewards and celebrates the talent and creativity of an entire industry every year. The SILMO d’Or awards are the ultimate recognition of ingenuity and inventiveness. Here are the nominees...
MustSee at Silmo Paris // Our list of brands to check out!
TEFmag, your trusted guide, presents must-see brands at Silmo Paris 2024. Don’t miss these independent eyewear brands!
