Silmo is one of the world’s most important appointments in the optics and eyewear sector. It is held every year in September 26^th – 29^th at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre. Set up over 40 years ago with only 58 exhibitors, the trade show now involves 950 companies and 1350 brands from all over the world. It is noted for the Silmo d’Or, an important eyewear design and innovation prize with 8 different categories: this year the jury President is the artist Pablo Reinoso. The trade show also covers the medical implications of eye health by organizing conferences that are attended by eminent academics and ophthalmologists. Innovation and research are the protagonists of Ab Fab Lab, the Absolutely Fabulous Laboratory, in pavilion 5, with specialists in surface treatments, coloring, materials, cutting and 3D printing of frames.

Luxottica takes part in Silmo by proposing new models in its house brand collections and those of the luxury brands under license. The trade show coincides with the prêt-à-porter fashion week, making Paris the ideal setting for presenting limited editions, frames in innovative materials and new fashion trends.

It is an opportunity to find out about the technological materials used for the iconic Aviator and Wayfarer models by Ray-Ban, the gorgeous artisan workmanship of classic Persol models - made lighter and more comfortable by intelligent modifications - as well as to admire the wonderful decorations, crystals, studs and other subtle finishes of fashion eyewear. What’s hot? Materials like the fine fabrics used for the fashion collections have also been applied to frames to create sunglasses with a sartorial but funky flavor: flannel-coated frames have mirrored lenses in lime green. An absolute must-see!