Organisers of the UK’s largest optical exhibition, 100% Optical, has announced the highly-anticipated shortlist for its popular Love Eyewear Awards.
The awards aim to champion and promote independent and major eyewear designers, manufacturers, and retailers, and covers 13 diverse categories including New Designer 2026, Sustainable Frame of the Year, Kid’s Frame of the Year, Eyewear Accessory of the Year, and its newest category, Best Use of Social Media.
2026 Love Eyewear Awards Shortlist and Judging Panel Announced
The carefully-curated panel of 2026 Love Eyewear Award judges, who came together to vote on the shortlisted nominees, made up of journalists, optical enthusiasts and optician professionals include:
- Tarrence Lackran, Founder of New York’s EYECON show
- Beedie On Eyewear, eyewear content creator and Optometrist
- Clodagh Norton, Director of COM and Editor In Chief at 2020 EUROPE
- Stefano Ampollini, Editor In Chief of Eyebook
- Kayla Heersink, ABO certified Optician, also known as Opticali Style on Instagram
- Maarten Weidema, Founder of The Eyewear Forum
- Alison Price, Dispensing Optician at Leicestershire’s Respectacle Co
- Daniel Feldman, Executive Editor at The Optical Journal
The winners will be crowned on the first day of 100% Optical at 5pm (28th February), which is free to attend for all delegates.
01/03/2025 – Photograph by Sam Frost ©2025 – www.samfrostphotos.com
Sarah Daniels, Senior Marketing Manager at CloserStill Media, organiser of 100% Optical, commented: “Created to celebrate the creativity and passion at the heart of the eyewear industry, the Love Eyewear Awards celebrates those who continue to shape the industry’s future. Every year we look forward to the bold creations and unique perspectives from designers, retailers, and practices from long-standing industry leaders to emerging talent”
For more information on 100% Optical and its Love Eyewear Awards shortlist visit, www.100percentoptical.com/love-eyewear-awards
Follow further updates and announcements in the build up to the 2026 show via @100optical #100optical @100ophthalmology #100ophthalmology