ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The organizers of Vision Expo, The Vision Council and RX, announced the winner of the 2022 Vision Expo Global Talent Search, supported by the eyewear designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA). Port Tanger is the recipient of the award, which aims to identify and support emerging designers and promote their talent to the vision community. The contest first launched in 2020 and recognized Morganne Leigh, founder of Tyche + Iset Eyewear, and Judge Khanna, creative director and co-founder of SpiltMilk.

“The seven edCFDA designers and judges have gathered and are collectively proud to announce the independent eyewear brand Port Tanger as the recipient of the 2022 Vision Expo Global Talent Search Award,” said Christian Roth, one of the seven eyewear designers of the edCFDA who judged the contest. “This year’s award has a very special meaning to us. Despite the uncertainty and challenges of the past two years, this skillful design team has had the courage and resources to pursue their dreams while navigating the pandemic with creativity and brilliance.”
 
Inspired by the Moroccan city of Tangier, Port Tanger is a luxury eyewear brand that embodies and celebrates the city’s DNA and vibrant lifestyle. The name “Port Tanger” is a nod to how the city of Tangier serves as both the gateway to Africa and the portal to Europe. 
 
Port Tanger’s frames celebrate the international culture and Mediterranean vibrance of Tangier through evocative designs, premium quality, and luxurious flair. The eyewear brand is currently carried by 43 retailers worldwide, including Assembly New York, Atelier Mira, Kith, Atelier Mira, Selima Optique and Ssense, among others.
 
“I come from a production background, and I fell in love with eyewear in my early twenties and I started to collect before giving life to a few ideas,” said Bilal Fellah, one of Port Tanger’s owners and designers.  “We are a team of four and one cannot take all the credit, though.
 
“We work with many different talents and Port Tanger is a true collective. Only with the help of my business partner was I able to create what Port Tanger is today. Our goal is to embrace our culture and heritage through our eyewear. We are pleased to receive this award and continue our vision.”
 
Port Tanger will be introduced to the eyewear community at Vision Expo East 2022 during a celebratory event hosted by the edCFDA and Show organizers. The event will 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. Port Tanger will also receive a complimentary booth at Vision Expo East 2022 in The Springs, Vision Expo’s neighborhood dedicated to emerging designers.  
 
New to the competition, the winner of the Global Talent Search will also receive a free placement on several online marketplaces, including Vision Expo’s ShopVISION platform, the global business-to-business digital sourcing platform for the vision care community.
 
To be eligible for consideration, designers were required to have businesses established after Jan. 1, 2018, with annual sales equal $1 million or less, as well as press and social media support.
 
The winners were selected by a panel of seven eyewear designers from the edCFDA. Judges included:

  • 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
For more information on the Vision Expo Global Talent Search, click here.
 
Vision Expo East 2022 will take place at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City from March 31 - 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.