July 25, 2024 — Silmo Paris has announced Alexis Mabille as chairman of the 2024 Silmo d’Or Awards, an annual competition launched in 1994 to celebrate the talent and creativity of the industry.
Born in Lyon, Mabille has been passionate about fashion since a young age. After graduating from the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne in 1997, he worked with major Parisian fashion houses. In 2005, he launched his own brand and has been part of the official Haute Couture calendar since 2021. Additionally, he is an interior decorator with his office, Beau Bow, and has designed spaces for private apartments, restaurants, and entertainment venues like the Lido in Paris.
Separately, Silmo Paris will host the third annual Optical Design Contest to promote emerging talent in the optical sector. Open to design students worldwide, this year's contest focuses on accessory glasses that offer new functionalities beyond vision correction and protection.
Chaired by designer Olivier Jault, a jury of optics and design professionals met in early July to evaluate submissions and select the projects most relevant to the theme.
The following are the selected finalists:
- Distroal by Thomas Deneufbourg (École de Design Nantes Atlantique): Glasses designed as support accessories for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and anxiety, named "Distroal," meaning "calming" in Breton.
- Lucid by Perrine Payen (Rubika): Transforms "forgotten objects" like pocket watches and monocles into magnifying glasses.
- Rhoé by Theo Vanpoperynghe (ISD Rubika): A device to help with eye strain.
- Sound Sight by Nolan Guenot (Ecole Supérieur De Design de Troyes): Reinvents bone conduction glasses with an aerial aesthetic.
- Spectapop by Camille Grand (ISD Rubika): Glasses with a fun, attention-grabbing design for visual hide-and-seek.
- Viewproject by Amélie Meersseman (École de Design Nantes Atlantique): Protective eyewear designed to fit over other glasses for prescription eyeglass wearers.
The jury will choose the winner on Friday, Sept. 20, as part of the Silmo Paris trade show, which is set to take place Sept. 20-23 at the Paris Nord Villepinte.