The Most Prestigious Eyewear Awards Celebrating Excellence in Eyewear Design
The eyewear industry is driven by innovation, creativity, and technological advancements. Around the world, several prestigious awards recognize the best in optical design, craftsmanship, and sustainability.
These accolades honor independent designers, established brands, and optical professionals who push the boundaries of eyewear excellence. Below is a carefully curated list of the top 10 most prestigious eyewear awards, celebrating the finest achievements in the industry.
Silmo d’Or
Organizer: Silmo Paris
The Silmo d’Or Awards is by far the most prestigious award in the eyewear industry, recognizing excellence in innovation, design, and technology. Held annually during Silmo Paris, the event showcases groundbreaking eyewear and optical advancements, honoring both independent designers and major brands.
Recent winners: Lafont, Pierre Eyewear, Prodesign, Parasite, Skans, Etnia Barcelona, Andy Wolf, Veronika Wildgruber, Cutler and Gross.
Jury: Typically comprises industry experts, designers, and journalists from the optical sector. TEF Magazine’s editor-in-chief Maarten Weidema has been a member of the jury for the Silmo d’Or since 2019.
The latest news on these awards:
Love Eyewear Awards
Organizer: 100% Optical, London
The Love Eyewear Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in eyewear design, creativity, and innovation. Hosted at 100% Optical in London, these awards honor emerging designers and established brands across various categories, including sustainability and retail excellence.
Recent winners: Tanaka, Hoffman Natural Eyewear, Vanni, GAZUSA, Mad in Italy, Vasuma, Götti Switzerland, COTI Vision, Danielle Rattray, Woodys Eyewear, Komono and Filipe Diniz Lunettes.
Jury: Comprises esteemed judges, including stylists, journalists, influencers, and industry leaders. The 2025 panel included optical journalists Daniel Feldman and Maarten Weidema and optical professionals such as Nicos Antoniades, an Optician at The Optical Gallery.
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NOW Awards
Organizer: Vision Expo (The Vision Council and RX)
Presented at Vision Expo (Orlando and Las Vegas), the NOW Awards spotlight eyewear that challenges conventional design and embraces cutting-edge innovation. The event recognizes brands pushing the boundaries of fashion, sustainability, and technology.
Recent winners: Caroline Abram, All Saints, Morel, TURA, Good Vision, Anna-Karin Karlsson and Anwuli Eyewear.
Jury: Typically includes industry experts, designers, and professionals from the optical and fashion sectors, including Dr. Harbir Sian, Alicia Hartman, Dr. Jennifer Tsai, Lanard C. Atkins, Wendy Salle. TEF Magazine’s editor-in-chief Maarten Weidema has been a member of the jury for the NOW Awards since 2025.
The latest news on these awards:
opti Awards
Organizer: Opti Munich, GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH
- opti FRAME STAR – The Audience Award: A public vote-based award where visitors select their favorite frame.
Recent winners: Munic Eyewear
Jury: All visitors at opti
- opti SUSTAINABILITY AWARD: Recognizes sustainable practices within the optical industry.
Recent winners: Andreas Schmidt
Jury: Undisclosed
- opti BOX AWARD: Offers young labels a platform to present their ideas.
Recent winners: Leinz Eyewear, Skans, Manti Manti​
Jury: The jury includes international optical professionals as Dr. Jürgen Bräunlein of eyebizz, opti Exhibition Director Bettina Reiter, and Daniel Feldman of The Optical Journal.
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Mido Optical Awards
Organizer: MIDO Milano
The Mido Optical Awards honor exceptional eyewear designs and technological advancements showcased at MIDO Milano, one of the world’s largest optical trade shows. Categories include:
- Best Store Awards: Recognizing outstanding optical retail stores that excel in design, customer experience, and innovation.
- CSE Awards (Certified Sustainable Eyewear): Honoring brands that focus on sustainable materials and eco-friendly production methods.
- Sergio Cereda Design Award: Named after the industry icon, this award celebrates excellence in innovative and artistic eyewear design.
Jury: Undisclosed
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Japan Eyewear Awards – JEA
Organizer: IOFT (International Optical Fair Tokyo)
The Japan Eyewear Awards continue to be one of the most prestigious recognitions in the optical industry, honoring groundbreaking advancements in design, technology, and craftsmanship. Organized by IOFT, these awards focus on new and emerging trends in eyewear, particularly within the Asian market.
Recent winners: William Morris London, BOZ (J.F.Rey), ic Berlin, UNSUIKYO, Space Tribe, Attract, Sasaki, DITA, Flipon and SUNREEVE.
Jury: Usually comprises industry experts, designers, and optical professionals. Current jury members are Mr. Shinichi Sumikawa, product Designer and Arts professor at the Osaka University and Ms. Mirei Ito, Eyewear Journalist at MODE OPTIQUE.
The latest news on these awards:
VisionPlus (VP) Awards
Organizer: FourPlus Media, in association with VisionPlus Magazine
The VisionPlus (VP) Awards celebrate excellence in the eyewear and optical industry, recognizing outstanding products and innovations across various categories. Established to honor the contributions of brands and professionals, the awards have become a significant event in the Middle Eastern optical community.
Recent winners: Zilli, Rolf Spectacles, Stepper Eyewear, Silhouette, Movitra, Philippe V and Monogram.
Jury: The selection process involves a jury comprising owners and senior managers from leading optical retail chains in the Middle East. The 2024 jury included:​ Saleh Al Shawa, Mr. Mathews Jacob and Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed, Abdullah Hadi A Binrabbaa, Rayan Rouhani and  Dina Jarrar.
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LOFTxTEF Awards
Organizer: LOFT Eyewear Shows in collaboration with TEF Magazine
The LOFTxTEF Awards celebrate excellence in independent eyewear design, honoring brands that exemplify creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. Established in partnership with TEF Magazine, these awards aim to highlight outstanding achievements within the independent eyewear community.​
Recent winners: Blake Kuwahara, Theo Eyewear and Rolf Spectacles.
Jury: The selection process involves online voting on the optical Facebook groups from Luxury Eyewear Forum (LEF ) and The Eyewear Forum ( TEF), allowing eyewear enthusiasts and industry professionals to participate in recognizing their favorite designs.Â
The latest news on these awards:
Silmo Istanbul Awards
Organizer: Silmo Istanbul
The Silmo Istanbul Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the optical and eyewear industry, particularly focusing on the Turkish and Middle Eastern markets. This event honors innovative eyewear brands, cutting-edge lens technologies, and optical retail excellence within the rapidly growing optical sector in the region.
Recent winners: Silhouette, Franco Vital, Nike, Tom Ford, 40Million Optik, Lens Medikal, Efor Optik Qzen and Safirex Kids.
Jury: Information about the jury composition is not readily available.
The latest news on these awards:
