Introducing the next generation of eyewear designers… The winners have been announced for the “A Forward Vision for Eyewear Heritage” design competition. Launched in April 2016, the competition is a partnership between SAFILO and L’UOMO VOGUE, serving as the first ever tutoring project for eyewear design. The finalists of the three competition categories are young talented individuals who reinvented frames with originality while respecting the competition’s guidelines. An exhibition was held in Safilo’s Via Mazoni showroom during Milan Fashion Week and Mido to present their designs. The results included four winners and four models of creativity-packed frames. Zixin Yang (2) won the Masterpiece award for the most artistic, original frame, designing a frame almost disengaged from its actual function, with a fascinating storytelling that reflects the vision of not only a true artist but also a fine designer. The Capsule Collection award goes to the dynamic duo, Nirmit Gupta and Pritam Paraye (1), who impressed the judges with an eye-catching, contemporary frame already prepared in a range of materials and colors, making it distinctly appealing and virtually ready for production development. Lastly, Francesco Lazzaro (4) and Vittoria Marchesini (3) are both winners of the Product School category. Lazzaro and Marchesini displayed exquisite technical grounding in their designs and during the admission interview for Safilo’s three-year training course, which allows them to gain the essential skills needed in all eyewear product areas before continuing their development within the company. “A Forward Vision for Eyewear Heritage was conceived as a natural continuation of our commitment toward new generations and to support our Product School,” says Luisa Delgado, CEO of Safilo. “When you have a tradition as strong as Safilo has, planning for the future and conveying your know-how to the future generations becomes a true ethical commitment. For this reason, we wanted to put energy, creativity and dedication into this scouting project, and I am now very proud of its results. My wishes go to the winners in their further pursuit of eyewear with the same determination and enthusiasm.” Honorary member of the jury, Marcel Wanders, adds “It is so important that young designers are given an opportunity to reinterpret tradition and roots, and showcase their creativity. A contest such as this allows Safilo and the world to take notice of amazing talents that might otherwise go unnoticed.” Congratulations to all the winners—we’re excited to see what the future eyewear designers have in store for us.

–Yailya Martinez