Norwalk, CT (March 13, 2026) – The winners of the NOW Awards by Vision Expo were announced during a ceremony held Thursday, March 12 at the NOW Stage during Vision Expo 2026, taking place March 11–14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The awards celebrate forward-thinking eyewear design and the creative talent shaping the global optical industry.

Designers and brands from around the world submitted their most visionary eyewear frames and accessories, with finalists selected for their artistry, innovative design, exceptional functionality, and their role in pushing the eyewear industry forward. All submissions, including finalists, were featured in a dedicated NOW showcase at the entrance of Vision Expo throughout the event.

Submissions were reviewed by an influential panel of leaders spanning design, retail, fashion, and eyecare before being narrowed to finalists and winners across seven categories announced during the ceremony.

The winners and finalists spanned multiple categories from the following brands:

Best Optical Style – Independent:

• Silhouette Atelier - WINNER
• Bruno Chaussignand
• Forall
• MOREL
• Nina Mûr

Best Optical Style – Licensed:

• RACHEL Rachel Roy by A&A Optical - WINNER
• 2 Blind Brothers by L’Amy
• Calvin Klein by Marchon
• Prada by EssilorLuxottica
• Vera Wang by Kenmark

Best Sun Style – Independent:

• Paloceras - WINNER
• Karün
• Paradigm
• PRESS Eyewear
• Thierry Lasry

Best Sun Style – Licensed:

• Alain Mikli by EssilorLuxottica - WINNER
• AllSaints by WestGroupe
• Badgley Mischka by The McGee Group
• Moncler by EssilorLuxottica
• Sunday Somewhere by WestGroupe

Best Emerging Brand:

• PRESS Eyewear - WINNER
• EYEFLY by MODO
• Francis de Lara
• Paloceras
• Vuzix

Best Direct-to-Consumer Brand:

• CEV Collection - WINNER
• Jonas Paul Eyewear
• Pair Eyewear

The Ultimate Accessory, presented in partnership with the Accessories Council:

• COTI - WINNER
• Francis de Lara
• KURO Athletics
• Sydnie Banks
• TALLA

“This year’s NOW Awards showcased an extraordinary level of creativity and craftsmanship from across the industry,” said Nico Roseillier, Creator and Director of NOW by Vision Expo. “We received an incredible number of submissions from designers and brands around the world, each bringing a unique perspective to eyewear design. Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists, whose work reflects the bold ideas, artistry, and innovation shaping the future of eyewear.”

Vision Expo looks forward to welcoming even more submissions from the global design community when the NOW Awards return in 2027. Submissions will open in the fall of 2026.

Vision Expo 2027 will take place in Las Vegas from March 10-13, 2027. For more information, visit visionexpo.com. 

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Media Contacts:

Emily Rocca

Marketing Director

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Jen Cullen Williams

Public Relations

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About Vision Expo

Vision Expo is the trade-only conference and exhibition for eyecare and eyewear presented by co-owners RX and The Vision Council. Vision Expo is the most comprehensive event for the entire Vision community, built for the industry by the industry. The only balance of conference and exhibition to learn from industry pioneers, explore cutting-edge advancements, and gain a new perspective on the future of eyewear. In the Vision Expo Exhibit Hall, eyecare providers can discover fashion trends, interact with new technologies and access innovative products and services. The Vision Expo education program is driven by the profession, offering content of the highest quality and relevance to enhance overall patient care. For more information on Vision Expo, visit visionexpo.com.

About The Vision Council

The Vision Council brings the power of sight to all through education, government relations, research and technical standards. A leading advocate for the optical industry, the association positions its members to deliver the eyewear and eyecare people need to look and feel their best. Vital to health, independence and safety, better vision leads to better lives. Learn more at thevisioncouncil.org. 

About RX

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organizations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit  www.rxglobal.com.