Awards celebrate the very best of design and innovation at regional optical industry event
Dubai, United Arab Emirates:
The shortlist for the Vision-X VP Awards has been announced and all eyecare professionals in the MENA region are now being invited to cast their votes.
The Awards make up an important feature of Vision-X, the only trade event for the optical industry in the MENA region, and are organised in collaboration with Vision Plus, the region’s number one eyewear fashion magazine, to recognise excellence in the optical business across optical care products and fashion frames.
Recognising the best designers and manufacturers in the industry, the Vision-X VP Awards will announce 15 winners on 6 December in a glittering awards ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre at the close of the first day of the exhibition.
Big brand names such as Adidas, Aston Martin, Bentley and Ray-Ban all have stakes in various categories, as well as classic British Luxury brand Cutler & Gross which launches in the region this year, nominated in two categories. Another new name at the exhibiton and nominated in two categories for an Award is bespoke specialist TD Tom Davies, and Briot, Bausch & Lomb, Desio, OGI and Prodesign are among those shortlisted seeking awards and recognition from the Middle East eyewear and eyecare industry. In the Value Enhancer category, innovative new hinge-fix Snapitscrew is shortlisted for the second year running.
Essilor Internatonal, who dominated the awards last year by winning four out of the 15 categories, is well positioned to steal the limelight again. The brand is shortlisted for seven designs in four awards this year, including: most popular lenses (progressive), most popular lenses (best value), most popular lens coating and best value enhancer (retail). With two nominated products in the latter three categories, Essilor is looking like the company to beat.
Nishan Kiroughlian, Marketing Manager at Essilor Amico Network, said, “Being nominated for the Vision-X VP Awards is in itself a recognition of the quality of our products. We always aim to deliver excellence and winning these awards is definitely a mark of our achievements. Our collective mission is to improve all aspects of vision and we will continue to bring new, innovative products to the market. These awards will not only inspire us, but also the entire optical industry as a whole to improve visual health.”
Belgian design studio Hoet working on their new set of laser-cut frames, have made the shortlist for the best new spectacle frame (luxury segment). Pioneers of the laser-cutting of frames from over two decades ago, Hoet, continues to inspire and innovate in the crafting of luxury eyewear with its 3D printed range.
Patrick Hoet, CEO, Hoet said, “We invested four years and a lot of money in the development of this product. Two years after its launch we are still the only company presenting 3D printed titanium. I’d like to add that I have great respect for the other competitors. Anyone that makes glasses with great craftsmanship and love for the product deserves to win the award. Our approach is less traditional but I leave it to others to judge.
“We are a small company. It goes without saying that the award nomination boosts our credibility in the UAE market, as well as in the other Middle East markets.”
Taking place from 6-8 December at DWTC, Vision-X is the region’s biggest optical health, eyecare and eyewear business event.
Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management at DWTC, the show organiser, added, “The quality of submissions we received this year was incredibly high and goes to show that innovation and cutting edge technology are both driving the development of the regional optical industry. We urge our eyecare professionals to get online and cast your votes in this important barometer of industry excellence. I congratulate all who have made the shortlist and look forward to celebrating with them at the ceremony.”
For more information on the nominations and how to cast your vote, visit: http://vxvp-awards.com/web/