ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The organizers of Vision Expo, The Vision Council and RX, announced that the deadline to apply for the second annual Vision Expo Global Talent Search has been extended to Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Supported by the eyewear designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA), the competition aims to identify and support emerging designers and promote their talent to the vision community. New to the competition, the winner of the Global Talent Search will receive a free placement on Vision Expo’s ShopVISION platform, the global business-to-business digital sourcing platform for the vision care community, as well as Luxury Optical Holding’s (LOH) newly developed business-to-consumer e-commerce site, HelloVisionist.com.

The winner will be featured in Visionist’s “up-and-coming” section for the season as well as have a brand page built for them featuring their creative campaign and storytelling behind the brand.
 
“ShopVISION continues to deliver a high-quality product discovery and sourcing experience for the vision community. With more than 300 brands and thousands of products in over 150 categories from eyewear and lenses to equipment and more, we can’t wait to welcome the winner of Vision Expo’s Global Talent Search to the ShopVISION platform,” said Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo, at RX.

“Luxury Optical Holdings is thrilled to offer a platform for emerging designers to gain exposure. As an avid supporter of independent eyewear, I believe Vision Expo’s Global Talent Search is an excellent way to encourage new creative voices and elevate the industry with fresh perspectives,” said Jeff Press, chief creative officer for LOH. “Visionist’s set out to offer the world’s most compelling selection of independent eyewear; we’re excited to offer a virtual platform for tomorrow’s designers and help introduce their creations to the marketplace,” added Pierce Voorthuis, vice president of Visionist.
 
To access the application, click here. For more information on the Vision Expo Global Talent Search, click here. To be eligible for consideration, designers must demonstrate the following:

  • Business was established after Jan. 1, 2018.
  • Annual sales are equal to one million or less.
  • Press and social media support.
The winner will be announced on Jan. 27, 2022, and introduced to the eyewear community at a celebratory event hosted by the edCFDA and Show organizers during Vision Expo East 2022. The event will now take place on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. in The Atelier, Vision Expo’s new neighborhood for brands with unique, ownable culture and respected industry position. The winner will also receive a complimentary booth at Vision Expo East 2022 in The Springs, Vision Expo’s neighborhood dedicated to emerging designers.
 
The winner will be selected by a panel of seven eyewear designers from the edCFDA. Judges include:
 
  • Christian Roth, designer and co-founder of Christian Roth Eyewear and Optical Affairs 
  • Jeff Press, chief creative officer for Morgenthal Frederics
  • Gai Gherardi, co-founder and co-designer of l.a.Eyeworks
  • Patty Perreira, co-founder of Barton Perreira
  • Selima Salaun, owner of Selima Optique
  • Shane Baum, president of Baumvision, founder and designer of Leisure Society
  • Blake Kuwahara, founder and creative director of Focus Group West
Vision Expo East 2022 will take place at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City from March 31 to April 3, 2022. The Show’s educational program, together with OptiCon@Vision Expo, will open Thursday, March 31 and the Exhibit Hall will open Friday, April 1. To register, click here.