Recognising responsibility, breakthrough design

Celebrating achievements in the international optical world, the 30^th anniversary of the Silmo d’Or Awards was a spectacular event. Eyewear designers, international media and senior optical executives and VIPs were welcomed to the underground halls of the Carrousel du Louvre by stilt-walkers, sparkling wine, canapés and an impressive pianist.

Since their creation in 1994, the Silmo d’Or Awards have established themselves as a prestigious benchmark for the optical sector, said the night’s MC, Silmo president Amélie Morel. “This award highlights the know-how, creativity and ingenuity of our exhibitors. It’s a great way of celebrating and rewarding your exceptional efforts, the people who contribute to the future of our industry.”

Celebrating those who care

The youngest award of the evening, the ‘Committed Company’ or CSR Award, introduced last year, was a particular favourite of hers, she said. “It is close to my heart because it rewards a company for its overall approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR), from an environmental, social and societal point of view.”

This year the award was given to two exceptional companies, said Morel, Copenhagen-based, environmental eyewear firm Skans and Italian-based Vanni, a company that has achieved Società Benefit status for its commitment to society, nature and ‘the common good’. Both companies analysed the entire lifecycle of each of their frames’ different components to ensure they are produced as sustainably as possible, said the judging panel. Skans takes a minimalist approach, producing timeless frames and packaging to reduce the need for redesigns and ensure the availability of identical spare parts to provide on-demand production and avoid overstocking, they said. Vanni also supports numerous local charitable organisations and trains all staff on sustainability: “In 2023/2024, Vanni also carried out an internal reorganisation, guided by an organisational psychologist, to define each staff member’s role and responsibilities and respond to their needs,” noted the panel.

Vanni co-founder and designer Alessandra Girardi said she was delighted to have won the 2024 CSR Award. “Being a responsible company in the eyewear industry means not only helping people to see better but helping them see a better world.” It’s about transparency, she said, how can people make a choice about their eyewear if they don’t know what they are buying and proving that. Entering the awards required details about Vanni’s work ethics, sustainable practices and everything else you can think of, said Girardi. Fortunately, as she’d recently completed the arduous paperwork required for a Società Benefit company, including a Life Cycle Assessment of the amount of CO₂ released by a Vanni acetate frame, she had the figures at hand to enter the Silmo d’Or Award, she said.

“We’re very excited and grateful to receive this prize,” said Giovanni Vitaloni, co-founder and CEO of Vanni, and Girardi’s husband. It is an acknowledgement that comes after years of commitment to work that is often invisible, he said. “It shows how we do business: prioritising choices that can have a beneficial impact on the planet and society. It’s not easy, it’s not fast track; it takes will and patience, and incredible teamwork. It’s a prize for all of us.”

Celebrating boundary-pushing design

Recognising technical excellence, creativity and innovation, the other 2024 award winners were:

Children: Lafont, ‘Roudoudou’ – designed for premature infants

Sport: Out Of, ‘Acuity’ – able to correct an extremely wide range of visual disorders

Vision: Transitions Optical, ‘Transitions Gen S’ – the first dynamic lens that is ultra-reactive to light and clinically validated

Sunglasses ‘eyewear designer’: Prodesign, ‘Censur’ by Dance – a thin sheet construction is cleverly seen throughout the design, adding depth and dimension

Optical frame ‘eyewear designer’: Pierre Eyewear, ‘Lady’ – a masculine, large acetate frame

Material/equipment (1 of 2): Eyesoft, ‘Check Lenscape’ – using virtual reality and eye-tracking to offer innovative visual examination solutions

Material/equipment (2 of 2): MicroUnit, ‘Lona 5’ – eyewear design and manufacturing software that simplifies handling and is useable by anyone

Optical frame ‘brands & labels’: Nina Ricci, ‘SNR403 couleur 7G6’ for De Rigo Vision – oversized acetate glasses with an iconic vintage shape, inspired by the iconic Nina Ricci model worn by Jacqueline Kennedy

Sunglasses ‘brands & labels’: Zilli, ‘ZI65109 C01’ for Grosfilley France – featuring grained leather inserts on the bridge and temples, highlighted by gold titanium

Technological innovation eyewear: OOmade, ‘OOmade SAV 3D’ – a 3D software platform enabling a broken frame to be repaired in a few minutes in front of the customer

Technological innovation eyewear (connected products): EssilorLuxottica, ‘Ray-Ban Meta with AI’ – smartglasses, which can also identify what users see and assist them in their daily lives

Low vision: Accessolutions, ‘VoiSee Reber Informatik’ – an electronic monocular visual-aid device for the visually impaired, designed for both near and far vision

Special jury prize: Parasite Design, ‘Morph Alpha’– made entirely of spare parts and old stock from Parasite’s workshops and the vintage optical shop Bidules