For over fifty years, SILMO Paris has brought together the creative and forward-thinking minds of the optical and eyewear world. With the Optical Design Contest, the show continues its mission: to inspire, showcase, and support the talents of tomorrow.
This new edition invites design students to explore the possibilities of vision, push the boundaries of creativity, and imagine what “seeing tomorrow” will look like. Far more than a mere stylistic exercise, the contest is an invitation to think of design as a vector of emotion, meaning, and the future.
A springboard for emerging talent
The 2026 Optical Design Contest offers outstanding visibility to future designers. Finalist projects will be showcased at SILMO Paris 2026, a true international stage for optical design.
The winner will receive €10,000, split equally between the student and their school, along with official exposure to the media and industry professionals.
Olivier Lapidus, a French designer renowned for his avant-garde vision, will chair the jury of the SILMO 2026 Optical Design Contest. Trained at Balmain, he first made his mark in fashion before expanding his universe to global design. A collaborator with the CEA and CNRS, he designs innovative textiles, dresses made from optical fibers, and creations inspired by music. Winner of the Dé d’Or, he also designed Hôtel Félicien in Paris and the Lounge Bar collection, where he combines design, innovation, and sensory experience.
After presiding over the SILMO d’Or 2025, he naturally continues this journey by leading the contest jury. An obvious choice to embody the spirit of openness, creativity, and mentorship that SILMO aims to inspire in young talents.
KEY DATES
- 16 June 2026: Registration closes
- July 2026: Nominees announced
- 25 September 2026: Award ceremony at SILMO Paris
More information at silmoparis.com
