Design & Inspiration

The international optical fair will showcase a broad overview of the latest eyewear collections by luxury, fashion, lifestyle and sports brands as well as seeing an impressive attendance of the independent creative designers in the business – the Paris event promises many different dedicated spaces across the show floor offering visitors the chance to discover the future of optics and eyewear with special attention on the emergence of AI and new technologies such as 3D printing

Silmo 2024, which takes place from 20th to 23rd September at Paris Nord Villepinte, remains the premiere international optics and eyewear event of the season for optical professionals from across the world. The event will feature over 900 exhibitors and 1,500 brands from around the world, highlighting innovation, trends, technology developments and sustainable topics that are shaping the future of the optical industry.

Highlights of the event this year will be the Futurology space, where visitors will be invited to take an immersive dive into the future of optics. Technological innovations and interactive experiences will show different future paths for the sector. Those looking for eyewear innovation and design inspiration will find packed Halls – 6 and 7 – where iconic and established brands exhibit alongside some of the latest and youngest labels making a name for themselves in the business.

The highly regarded Silmo D’Or awards will be announced during a prestigious ceremony to be held in an exceptional Paris venue marking the 30th anniversary of the Silmo d’Or awards presentation. All the nominated and winning products will be exhibited in Hall 7, in what is expected to be an exceptional display for the innovations and talent found in the sector this year. Above: Andy Wolf’s new collection promises plenty of variety in all areas. In addition to new shapes in the “Shape in Shape in Shape” collection, exciting new colour gradients and playful work on unusual shapes and facets, a new line will also be introduced that gives way to a new luxury within the collection. Among the optical releases is model 5148 pictured, an oversized frame made of thick acetate that points to new season directions with its distinctive cat’s eye shape and pronounced facets – with two exclusive colour gradients – www.andy-wolf.com

Rolf will unveil thirteen brand-new styles from five distinctive collections. Inspired by the refined elegance and timeless romance of France, the Classics models highlight a vintage-inspired, sophisticated aesthetic. Johannes Wacker, the designer behind Rolf’s eyewear, commented about the special releases now previewing: “About a quarter of our new designs, which we’ve named Character, are bold, vibrant, and extravagant, perfectly matching the fashion capital – Paris. These pieces are for the courageous, fashion-forward wearers….” Find out more at www.rolf-spectacles.com

FUSIONI 146 is part of Lamarca’s September release for international markets and has been created as a leading statement style for the upcoming autumn/winter season. This frame has a distinctive design that simulates a graphic pattern. The milled details create sequential reliefs, and attractive colour contrasts form a captivating palette. The adaptable size of the frame makes it a versatile choice, enabling opticians to offer it as both prescription glasses and sunglasses. www.lamarcaeyewear.com

At MOVITRA, the new releases for Silmo include the APEX Titanium Collection, a cutting-edge eyewear range featuring products made exclusively in titanium. The collection is characterized by a completely new and innovative product architecture conceived to offer an exceptionally comfortable fit, while a series of unique features have been developed for the ultimate performance. Each frame also features some notable aesthetic details such as a two-piece titanium bridge with dual polished/brushed finish. www.movitra.it

The Italian eyewear company Blackfin plans to show a cornucopia of titanium designs – including bold styles in the Atlantic series and more streamlined ones in the Pacific range. Colour illuminates the design of the new frames, interpreting a style concept in which Italian artisan craftsmanship and superior quality converge, the company explains. Highlights will include soft and striking colours such as lilac and blue, with Blackfin’s innovative signature bi-colour graduated effects featuring for some models like Quincy (pictured above) – an eye-catching, contemporary design with a trendy new round-oval shape. www.blackfin.eu

Accessories are an extra special treat at the Silmo show. Highly recommended for its fast growing high-quality collection is the Japanese label Diffuser Tokyo, where much innovation and material research provides the basis for beautifully finished eyewear storage pieces, chains, cords and cases – for men and women. Made in Japan, their new original iron core leather laminated display tray is one of the latest designs to feature, offered in black and white, black and orange, black and blue or black and green. See the full range ahead of Silmo at www.diffuser-tokyo.com

Silmo 2024 takes place from 20th to 23rd September 2024 at Paris Nord Villepinte. This year, the fair will offer many new events and workshops for optical professionals with particular emphasis on technological change in the FUTUROLOGY Space and new innovation via the Trends by SILMO Forum Exhibition, which will offer a look at the image, shape, colour and materials of different frames, in a comprehensive overview that sheds light on the best eyeglasses and sunglasses by the exhibitors at the trade fair. The four key trends which will be explored are: “Free Colorama” – on bold colour stories and colour combinations; “Virtuous Simplicity” – on the minimal direction in eyewear design, “Classic Variations” – on timeless classics and ‘Full Sun’ – on sunglasses as an expressive fashion accessory in all categories.

For further details and registration visit  www.silmoparis.com. Watch our Eyestylist Design + Inspiration page for the next weeks for more updates and previews for the Paris show! There’s just one month to go!