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The inaugural NOW Awards were presented on Day 2 of Vision Expo East 2023 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The awards ceremony took place on the main stage to close out that day’s activities on the showroom floor.

NOW advisory committee members take their seats on the main stage while the audience settles in for the ceremony.

20/20 Magazine Editor James Spina kicked off the event with a few words and an introduction of the NOW advisory committee members.

Vision Expo’s NOW project was conceptualized by Nico Roseillier (standing), creative director of Europa / State Optical Co. / American Optical and in partnership with NOW advisory committee members.

Rimmel Eyewear won the award for Best Optical under $250.

Pierre Eyewear won the award for Best Optical $500 and above.

Attendees take a closer look at Pierre Eyewear’s award for Best Optical $500 and above.

MITA Eyewear won the award for Best Sunglasses under $250.

BAARS Eyewear and Gogosha Optique won the award for Best Sunglasses $500 and above.

BAARS Eyewear and Gogosha Optique won the award for Best Sunglasses $500 and above.

Strak Eyewear took home the People’s Choice Award.

Vintage Frames won the award for Special Design/Brand Activation for their new flagship store in Miami.

Vintage Frames founder Corey Shapiro shook hands with every NOW advisory committee member before accepting the award for Special Design/Brand Activation.

Vintage Frames founder Corey Shapiro holds the award for Special Design/Brand Activation.

NOW advisory committee members stand during the ceremony. From left, Christian Roth and Eric Domège Designers/Co-Founders Christian Roth & OPTICAL AFFAIRS, Julia Gogosha-Clark of Gogosha Optique, Nico Roseillier, creative director of Europa / State Optical Co. / American Optical,
Kristen McLaughlin, Director of Marketing for Tura, Dr. Nwamaka Ngoddy, optometrist and Founder/Designer of Anwuli Eyewear,
Jessica Goebert, public relations and communications consultant, and Sophia Strawser, editorial assistant and social media manager at the Accessories Council.

James Spina, the Editor of 2020 Magazine, won the Optical Achievement Award.

NOW Awards winners in attendance stand for pictures after the awards ceremony.

Optician Sheena Taft, foreground, was among the attendees who lined up after the ceremony to take pictures of the award winners.

Some attendees took pictures of those taking pictures of the NOW award winners. INVISION Magazine took a picture of someone taking a picture of others taking pictures of the award winners. (Very meta.)

The NOW Pavilion returned to Vision Expo East in 2023 to showcase the latest trends and direction of the eyewear industry.

(At left) Nico Roseillier, Creative Director at Europa/State Optical/American Optical, stands at the NOW Pavilion during the opening day of Vision Expo East 2023.

The NOW Pavilion at Vision Expo East 2023.

The NOW Pavilion at Vision Expo East 2023.

The NOW Pavilion at Vision Expo East 2023.

First Ever NOW Awards Celebrate Latest Trends and Visionaries in Eyewear Industry

The NOW Pavilion first appeared at Vision Expo East in 2022.

It was designed as a showcase of the latest innovations and advancements in the eyewear industry. It was designed with diversity and inclusivity in mind. It was designed so well, it returned this year.

Ahead of this year’s show, NOW organizer Nico Roseillier spoke with the Vision Council about the fledgling project.

“NOW by Vision Expo was created with the idea to bring the full representation of our industry forward by showing the latest brands, designs, trends and technologies,” said Roseillier, Creative Director at Europa/State Optical/American Optical.

New this year were the NOW Awards, presented Saturday on the main stage to close out Day 2 on the showroom floor.

Vision Expo had this to say in a related press release:

“More than 100 companies and 180 brands participated in the competition, submitting products to eight different categories. All Vision Expo East exhibitors were invited to enter one frame (optical or sunglass) or lens product per company they felt best represented one of the themes for this year’s show, which included Eyewear Icons, Colors of 2023, Showstoppers, Alternative Materials and Technologies, and Diversity and Inclusion.”

 

2023 AWARD WINNERS

 

Best Sunglasses under $250: MITA Eyewear
Best Sunglasses $250-$500: Maison Nathalie Blanc
Best Sunglasses $500 and above: BAARS Eyewear x GOGOSHA OPTIQUE
Best Optical under $250: Rimmel Eyewear
Best Optical $250-$500: Ethnicity Eyewear
Best Optical Award $500 and above: Pierre Eyewear
Optical Achievement Award: James Spina, Editor 2020 MAGAZINE
People’s Choice Award: Strak Eyewear
Special Design/Brand Activation: Vintage Frames

 

NOW ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

  • Nico Roseillier – Creative Director of Europa / State Optical Co. / American Optical
  • Christian Roth and Eric Domège – Designers/Co-Founders Christian Roth & OPTICAL AFFAIRS | CFDA Member
  • Julia Gogosha-Clark – Gogosha Optique
  • Kristen McLaughlin – Director of Marketing – Tura
  • Dr. Nwamaka Ngoddy – Optometrist and Founder/Designer of Anwuli Eyewear
  • Jessica Goebert – Public Relations & Communications
  • Sophia Strawser – Editorial Assistant & Social Media Manager at the Accessories Council

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First Ever NOW Awards Celebrate Latest Trends and Visionaries in Eyewear Industry

The inaugural NOW Awards were presented on Day 2 of Vision Expo East 2023 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The awards ceremony took place on the main stage to close out that day’s activities on the showroom floor.