Brands including Kirk & Kirk, De Rigo and Shamir received awards across frame design, lens manufacturing, and technology

The winners of the Silmo d’Or awards have been announced, spotlighting eyewear and lens technology across various categories. The optical trade show took place in Paris from 23–26 September. Kirk & Kirk received an award for its ‘Thor’ framesIndependent brand, Kirk & Kirk, took home the prize for ‘Optical frame eyewear designer’ with its ‘Thor’ frame from the Centiles collection. Karen Kirk, designer for the Brighton-based company, said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by the profession. We work hard to change the way that people feel about eyewear, to inspire and excite the public and this is a great step in the right direction.” Recent months have been busy for the brand, which hosted a pop-up shop alongside London Design Festival through September. Jason Kirk, CEO of Kirk & Kirk, also hosted a podcast series, The Right Optics by Silmo at the show, featuring industry figures. Masahiro Maruyama took home the award for ‘Sunglasses eyewear designer’ with the ‘Kintsugi MM-0078’ frame. The bold and thick sunglasses feature irregular gold lines, replicating the effect of the Japanese pottery art of kintsugi – through which broken pottery is repaired with a lacquer mixed with gold or silver. A special first-class prize was awarded to Parasite Eyewear for its ‘Karma’ frame. The French brand takes a futuristic approach to design, combining elements like necklaces and pendants. Sharing news of the win on social media, the brand said: “We are so proud.” Odette Lunettes took home a prize in the children’s category for its ‘Cadet’ frame. The model is the first in a new collection of 3D printed styles for children. “Hard work pays off. Our new Odette Cadet collection just won a Silmo d’Or! We can’t wait to show everyone these new beauties,” the brand revealed on social media, also noting that the new children’s frames were “much needed” in response to consumer demand. Read more from Eline De Munck in OT’s Me and My Glasses feature. Founder of the brand, Eline De Munck, told OT: “Our new Cadet-eyewear line is targeted at kids aged eight to 16 years old. These kids have outgrown children’s frames but they are not yet ready for more serious adult frames. “The ‘Cadet’ frames have a playful character and they are made with innovative 3D printing technology in collaboration with Materialise which makes them sustainable and durable. It also allows us to add an extra feature: a special clip that easily turns your frame into sunglasses.” Neubau Eyewear received the jury’s choice award with its futuristic ‘Xenon’ frames. The winner of this category is selected on site by the jury, which included architect and interior designer, Jun Gobron. The sunglasses form part of the brand’s special edition Transition collection. Daniel Liktor, managing director of Neubau Eyewear, said: “Receiving this award is a special honour for us.” “At Neubau, we have a sophisticated idea of design, that is reflected in an interplay of aesthetics, quality and materiality. The award is an industry-wide acknowledgement of this idea, which is a great motivator for us,” Liktor added. Neubau received an award for its ‘Xenon’ frames De Rigo claimed the prize for ‘Optical frame – brands and labels’ with the ‘Philipp Plein VPP081’ (ITA) frame. The geometrically-shaped frame is made from an exclusive acetate with marble effect and metal gold-effect finishing. In the sunglasses ‘Brands and labels’ category, the Christian Lacroix frame, ‘CL5108 134,’ distributed by ADCL, was named winner. The oversized women’s sunglasses frame is a patchwork of shapes and colours made with an acetate front, and thin, wavy stainless steel sides.

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