6 minute read
What’s new at Silmo Paris 2023
A new visitor path, an award to raise awareness for social and environmental responsibility and much more....
“Since it was founded, SILMO Paris has been committed to accompanying professionals in inventing the future of the optical and eyewear field with actions that inform and increase the industry’s potential.” Amélie Morel, Chairman of SILMO Paris.
So, with a new arrangement in Halls 6 and 7, the trade fair reinvents the circuit to stimulate visitors’ curiosity and foster their discovery of nearly 1,000 exhibitors. This freshly redesigned space showcases the extensive content and distinctions coordinated by SILMO PARIS.
Futurology
The interdisciplinary discussion space SILMO NEXT, dedicated to futurology, will propose a retrospective of the latest technological innovations. This muchneeded status check makes it possible to (re) discover the major areas of progress being made in the Smart Eyewear field, phygital experiences, and eco-responsible design. In addition to this immersive retrospective, FUTUROLOGY will provide unique experience zones where visitors may try out smart products, discover the latest trends in virtual reality, and experience an innovative approach to sustainable production: visitors get the handson opportunity to inject frames with plastic from recycled bottles and can win a pair of customized frames crafted on-site.
Trends Forum
Eyewear trends are displayed as clearly as ever, reflecting the digital magazine TRENDS by SILMO Showcased in a specially designed space, these major trends are represented by a selection of the best of optical and sunglasses frames from exhibitors attending the trade fair.
2023 Optical And Eyewear Design Competition
After kicking off the 2022 edition of SILMO Paris, the Optical Design Contest is back this year, inviting students at design schools all over the world to respond to a compulsory theme that is pertinent for the current day: sports. Made up of optical and design professionals and presided by MarieChristine Dorner – an interior architect, designer and scenographer –, the jury will meet on Friday, September 29th to choose the winner among the various concepts selected based on a complete file and a 3D print prototype.
SILMO D’OR AWARDS
The 30th edition of the SILMO d’OR awards in recognition of innovation and creativity, is an exceptional event since its launch in 1994, and the ultimate accolade for the ingenuity and inventiveness of over 330 companies. This year’s jury is chaired by Nicolas Fafiotte who, a graduate of the ESMOD School of Fashion Design (first prize in the Haute Couture category), trained in Paris, in particular with Emmanuel Ungaro, before moving to Lyon in the early 2000s where he opened his bespoke bridal and eveningwear atelier. The designer wins customers over with his sense of style and his demanding perfectionism. Always on the move, but careful to choose his collaborations sparingly, he regularly works with other brands to create, for example, a line of jewellery, bags, accessories and the spectacular looks of the ‘Live Show d’Etam Lingerie’.
Curious to discover other creative universes, Nicolas Fafiotte was eager to take on the prestigious role of President of the SILMO d’OR awards, all the more so as he is originally from Oyonnax, in the Ain region, which is the cradle of the French eyewear industry.
SILMO ACADEMY
“From planning performance to success: becoming elite practitioners of ocular care”: such is the 2023 theme of SILMO ACADEMY. The wording is a reference to the Rugby World Cup, which will be held concurrently with both the 2024 SILMO trade fair and the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Events that showcase the skills, desire for success and dedication of elite athletes from around the world. For this new edition of SILMO Academy, it was therefore important to offer professionals expertise in the field of optimisation.
Over two days – Saturday September 30th and Sunday October 1st –, the 12th edition of this scientific conference will take a close look at how to optimise performance and guarantee success, as viewed from two angles: the performance of the optical professional and the performance of the patient’s vision.
IOA, THE INTERNATIONAL OPTICIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
A professional organisation based across the Channel, the International Opticians Association (IOA) awards a prize each year in partnership with SILMO Paris to highlight one optician who demonstrates exemplary professionalism. Ahead of designating the winner at the SILMO D’OR awards ceremony, the jury has had the honour of pre-selecting the five finalists: Jean-François Porte from France, Phernell Walker and Carrie Wilson from the United States, Angela Mitchell from New Zealand, and Vitor Manuel Simoes Martins from Portugal.
Responsible Company Prize
In the last few years, SILMO has begun to address corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSR). With punctual actions that inform and raise awareness, SILMO hopes to help get professionals in the field to take into account the importance of CSR. It offers opportunities to discuss and share experiences in order to coconstruct the industry’s best practices together.
This year, SILMO has decided to go one step further in accompanying the optical community on the essential yet sometimes complex path to CSR. SILMO launches a Responsible Company prize for progress in social and environmental responsibility.
This prize is open to all exhibitors, and it aims to distinguish one company from the optical sector for its contribution to reducing its environmental footprint and optimising its social impact.
SILMO intends on encouraging emulation rather than competition among companies. A winner will be selected, of course, but the application submission procedure will also make it possible to collect good corporate practices. These good practices will be highlighted to inspire the entire community.
To combine its knowledge of the optical field with the expertise of a recognized leader in the CSR area, SILMO joins forces with the CSR agency Hyssop, which will develop the specifications for the prize and provide a third-party evaluation of the companies submitting an application.
SILMO D’OR X PREMIÈRE CLASSE
Since 2016, the organisers of SILMO PARIS and PREMIÈRE CLASSE have joined forces to reward and support a new vision of eyewear creativity from the perspective of the “fashion accessory”. And so, at each edition of SILMO, a PREMIÈRE CLASSE prize is awarded during the SILMO d’OR awards ceremony.
