ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The organizers of Vision Expo, The Vision Council and RX, today announced that applications are now being accepted for the second annual Vision Expo Global Talent Search, 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, according to an announcement from show organizers. The winner will be selected by a panel of seven eyewear designers from the edCFDA. 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.
Interested designers should submit their application before Jan. 10, 2022. One winner will be announced on Jan. 21, 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 take place on Friday, April 1, 2022, 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
“As one of the seven judges for the Vision Expo Global Talent Search, supported by the edCFDA, I am delighted that we continue to amplify the voice of new talents in the world of eyewear design,” said Christian Roth, designer and co-founder of Christian Roth Eyewear and Optical Affairs. “Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Vision Expo and The Vision Council, designers from around the globe are now eligible for consideration.” 
 
To access the application, click here. 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 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. Details on registration will be released in the coming weeks.