Silmo Paris 2026 – Innovation and AI shape the future of eyewear

ByHanna Diewald
Picture: Stéphane Laure

With more than 32,000 professionals from around the world, Silmo Paris 2026 reaffirmed its position as one of the optical industry’s most influential international trade fairs. Held at Paris Nord Villepinte, the event brought together eyewear manufacturers, optical retailers, technology companies, designers and researchers to explore the trends, innovations and challenges shaping the future of vision care and eyewear.

This year’s edition welcomed 32,108 visitors from nearly 150 countries, including 53% international attendees, while more than 950 exhibitors and 1,500 brands showcased their latest products and technologies across 80,000 square metres of exhibition space.

Connected optics enters a new era

Futurology is an invitation to look further ahead: to understand weak signals, anticipate change and act today to build innovation that is useful, responsible and sustainable. Smart glasses, artificial intelligence, predictive health… This year, Silmo Next shone a spotlight on an industry in the midst of transformation.
At the Tech Village, demonstrations and hands-on experiences allowed visitors to try out the innovations set to transform both in-store practices and the way wearers use their eyewear. Throughout the conferences, the eye also emerged as a true window onto overall health, paving the way for more preventive optics driven by imaging and AI.

Silmo Next hosted the first international hackathon dedicated to health applications for smart glasses, using the HTC, EverySight, Solos and Engo platforms. The jury unanimously awarded Kimoo, an assistant developed by Mourdjen Bari and Carla Nykiel on the HTC platform to help people with ADHD stay focused, manage anxiety and reduce procrastination.

The trends forum – an immersion at the heart of style

A true style compass, the Trends Forum offered a complete immersion in the shapes, materials and colours that will drive tomorrow’s collections.
The Trends Forum provided visitors with an immersive look at the colours, materials and design concepts expected to shape future eyewear collections. This year, four key trends emerged: Fancy, celebrating unapologetic fantasy; Charisma, inspired contrast ; Adrenaline, reflecting the growing impact of technology – Vibrant tech – ; and Aura, which saw the return of glamorous styles inspired by the 1990s.
A carefully curated selection of optical frames and sunglasses from exhibitors’ collections illustrated these directions, confirming the Forum as the must-attend event for capturing the spirit of the times.

The Silmo d‘Or – 33rd edition

Chaired by Joachim Froment, a Brussels-based industrial designer and creative director and co-founder of the Futurewave studio, the Siomo d’Or celebrated an edition centred on the dialogue between design, technology and the wearer experience.
The 2026 winners bear witness to this: autofocus glasses for presbyopes, progressive lenses personalised using virtual reality, open-field binocular refraction and luxury smart glasses sit alongside creations of exceptional craftsmanship, from natural slate to Japanese titanium.

Discover the 2026 winners

  • Children: Karavan Kids – Zigzag (Design Eyewear Group)
  • Sport: Julbo – Panora
  • Vision: Mega Optic – EvosightVR
  • Low Vision: Eschenbach Optik – optaro® XL
  • Materials / Equipment: Nidek – PHANTOM™
  • Technological Innovation in Eyewear: Laclarée – Autofocus glasses
  • Smart Eyewear: GETD & Marienfeld – The Luxury AI glasses
  • Optical Frames “Labels”: Lancel – Emeline (Grosfilley)
  • Sunglasses “Labels”: Victoria Beckham – VB 7015/S (Safilo)
  • Sunglasses “Eyewear Designer”: Caroline Abram – Sakura
  • Optical Frames “Eyewear Designer”: Maison Lune – Galet
  • Sunglasses “Craftsmanship & Know-how”: Brett – Ferdinand Sun
  • Optical Frames “Craftsmanship & Know-how”: rolf. Eyewear – Superbird
  • Jury’s Special Prize: Paloceras – Pebble RX

Sustainability and innovation

Sustainability and innovation were also key themes at Silmo Paris 2026. The CSR Spot, developed in partnership with Hyssop, showcased sustainable materials, responsible start-ups and expert-led discussions on the future of a more environmentally conscious optical industry.
Andy Wolf received the Committed Company Award for its comprehensive sustainability strategy, including the use of recycled materials, a fully European supply chain and repair services.
Emerging talent was recognised through the Optic Design Contest, won by Sophia Denison for her experimental Dreamscape collection, while Jessica Gowing was named International Optician of the Year for her work developing customised 3D-printed eyewear for children.
The event programme was rounded off by more than 60 Silmo Talks sessions covering topics such as artificial intelligence, smart eyewear, healthcare and sustainability, as the industry now looks ahead to Silmo’s 60th anniversary in 2027.