City guides

100% Optical 2026, Excel London

17th February 2026

For 2026, independent eyewear brands LINDA FARROW, MYKITA, Ørgreen Optics, Blackfin, and more will be showcasing new collections at 100% Optical. The organisers of the event promise footfall, inspiration and design showcases, catwalk shows and a line-up of brand new winners in the Love Eyewear Awards…

Taking place from 28th February to 2nd March 2026 at Excel in London, this will be the 12th Edition of the 100% Optical trade only event, promising to highlight everything related to optics – from cutting-edge eyewear design, style and innovation in lenses and technology – as well as providing CPD-accredited sessions throughout the 3-day event. The optical exhibition, co-located with 100% Ophthalmology, is partnering with the Association of Optometrists (AOP) to deliver the education programme. Featuring more than 100 hours of sessions, the three day event will offer a wealth of learning opportunities for both optometrists and dispensing opticians. Above: 100% Optical, London is in its 12th year

Macy Vista sunglasses by Linda Farrow, pictured in wine: the British brand returns to 100% for the 2026 Edition

100% Optical has announced a shortlist for the popular Love Eyewear Awards, which includes a varied selection of categories, from Men’s Sunglasses of the Year right through to ‘Most Engaging Practice Window’.

First launched in 2020, the Awards are now judged by eyewear experts from across the industry, including optician/influencer Kayla Heersink (@opticalistyle), Dispensing Optician, Alison Price, and for the first time, EYECON show founder, Tarrence Lackran. The shortlists this year include entries from world-class independent eyewear brands: among them are LAFONT (Children’s category), l.a. eyeworks (Men’s + Luxury Frame of the Year category), Götti Switzerland (Men’s + Luxury Frame of the Year), MOREL (Men’s Frame of the Year) and Albert I’mStein (Men’s Sunglasses of the Year). See the full line-up of shortlisted companies on the link below.

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

The winners of the Love Eyewear Awards will be announced on the first day of 100% (28th February 2026) at 5pm on the Main Stage.

For more information on 100% Optical to register, and read about Love Eyewear Awards shortlist visit, www.100percentoptical.com/

City guides

Colour trends: colour at the Millennium Gallery, Sheffield (UK)

22nd August 2025

The exhibition, which is open in Sheffield until Sunday 14th September, brings together over 150 objects spanning art, science, nature and cultural histories

This new exhibition, which will tour the UK, delves deep into the kaleidoscope of shades and hues that surround us to investigate colour in all its forms – how we see it, how it’s made, how it’s used and what it means. Four key themes have been explored in depth asking fundamental questions: How is Colour Made? exploring the many sources of colour pigments and dyes; Is Colour Useful? reflecting on how colour is utilised for communication by humans, animal and plants; What Does Colour Mean? looking at the meanings we attach to colour, how those meanings can differ and change, and how colour can reflect our history, identity, culture and beliefs; and What is Colour? examining the science behind how we see colour – how humans and animals perceive colour differently, and how technology changes the way we see colour. Above: Colour Exhibition at the Millennium Gallery – Photo: © Andy Brown

Organisers of the exhibition – The exhibition has been created in collaboration with a group of local Cultural Advisors, who have helped shape the themes and stories showcased throughout the displays. Furthermore, the Cultural Advisors have also generously loaned a number of objects to the exhibition, including a hand-woven cotton keffiyeh scarf from Yemen and a handmade Renda de filé blouse from Brazil.

Among the displays, visitors can see artwork by Hokusai, Kandinsky, Bridget Riley and Andy Warhol, alongside examples of exquisitely crafted decorative ceramics. Other objects on display include beautiful bird plumage and iridescent insects. They show how colour is used in the natural world and textiles demonstrating the rich spectrum of natural and manmade pigments and dyes. Other highlighted items on display include a new large-scale mural by artist Grace Visions adorning the back wall of the exhibition space, created as part of Sheffield’s Lick of Paint street art festival. In addition, pre-historic gold jewellery showing the value of colour across millennia and a diamante-studded Trinidadian carnival costume are also highlights.

Colour trends and directions are considered in the exhibition at the Millennium Gallery. *Photo © Andy Brown*

A touring exhibition in the UK

Colour has been created for the Museums and Galleries Network for Exhibition Touring (MAGNET), with Art Fund support and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. It has been curated by Sheffield Museums, in partnership with Tullie Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle, Hampshire Cultural Trust , Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk

The exhibition is currently taking place at The Millennium Gallery, Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2PP (open Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm) through to Sunday 14th September 2025. Colour will subsequently tour to the following venues: Tullie, Carlisle, 26th September 2025 – 25 January 2026; Gosport Museum & Art Gallery, Hampshire: 7 February – 24 April 2026; Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, 23 May – 6 Sept 2026; and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, 26 October 2026 – 31 January 2027.

City guides

Impressive energy and eyewear style at 100%

8th March 2023

The London show made an impression across all categories in 2023 / new dates have been announced for the 2024 edition

100% Optical has celebrated their biggest, most successful show yet in London. Organisers reported that the 3-day event saw a 10% year-on-year increase on its previous record attendance.

For 2023, 100% attracted a diverse selection of independent eyewear brands from Europe and the US. They included long-term supporters of the fair such as Kirk and Kirk, Sea2see, SALT. Optics, BIRD and Gotti Switzerland, alongside first time appearances from VAVA, Rolf Spectacles and Vysen. Above: close-up of Linwei Zheng’s eyewear and accessory designs, winner of the 100% x RCA competition; Zheng used upcycled rubber tubes from the inside of car tyres to make the designs

PARIS Light by Struktur Eyewear won ‘men’s frame of the year’ at 100% in the Love Eyewear Awards 2023

The Love Eyewear Awards The fair celebrated creativity, colour and design flair with the Love Eyewear Awards. There were wins for a broad selection of products this year. Highlights included Ffin Eyewear (who won two awards for New Designer and Men’s Sunglasses of the Year), and ROLF Spectacles who won the category for Kids frame of the Year with their 3d printed bean glasses. Struktur Eyewear won the Men’s Frame of the Year and model PARIS Light and VAVA for Sustainable Frame of the year with their CL0012.

VAVA Eyewear: model CL0012 – the winner in the sustainable category in the Love Eyewear Awards at 100% Optical

ROLF Spectacles: bringing bean eyewear to the youngest wearers – model Kudu won the children’s category in the Love Eyewear Awards at 100%

The continuing success of the brilliant RCA competition, in its 9th year, was a delight again at the 100% event, with very strong projects submitted by a group of outstanding students from the department of FAME_RCA (Masters in Fashion / Footwear / Accessories / Millinery / Eyewear. The theme of the competition this year was “sunglasses that do not cost the earth” and the winner was Linwei Zheng who designed frames using rubber inner tubes from tyres – a sustainable direction that was simple and bold.

Eyewear creativity: RCA student Zirui Wang explored bamboo as a frame material for his project in the RCA x 100% competition on sustainable design

Next year’s 10th anniversary 100% Optical dates have been confirmed for 24th to 26th February 2024, while The Association of Optometrists (AOP) and Media 10 have announced that their partnership to deliver 100% Optical has been extended until 2025. For further information, visit www.100percentoptical.com

City guides

LOFT NYC: an eyewear destination for independent brands

2nd March 2023

The annual eyewear show for independent eyewear brands in New York, LOFT NYC takes place at the Hudson Mercantile from 16th March to 19th March 2023 / a huge line-up of designers and brands have booked for the edition which will welcome opticians and buyers from around the world

Creative eyewear designers will return to New York this month for a programme of annual events, among them the popular Loft NYC – at the Hudson Mercantile, an intimate showroom space on two floors. This year, the show will host over 35 of the finest independent eyewear brands and labels, from Europe, the US and Japan – including theo, Lafont Paris, Kirk and Kirk and Masahiromaruyama.

Loft NYC -Studio: a special atmosphere to view creative eyewear collections in New York – opticians from around the world attend the event

The LOFT NYC event will be running an extra day (Thursday) to accommodate buyers and optical professionals throughout their stay in the city. Known also for its themed industry parties, the organisers have confirmed that 2023 will see a return of the much talked about party event.

Expect to find a huge array of independent eyewear at this year’s LOFT, with brands taking part from across the world. Exhibitors include Bevel, BOZ Eyewear, Kirk and Kirk, LAFONT Paris, Lowercase NYC, MATSUDA, ROLF Spectacles, SALT. Optics, THEO, VAVA and VUE DC.

LOFT NYC takes place at Hudson Mercantile, 500 W 36th Street, (corner of 10th Avenue), New York from Thursday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 9am to 5pm (16th to 19th March).

LOFT San Francisco: the sister show on the West Coast was first launched in 2019, and is already an established event for the international eyewear community. Watch this space for the new 2023 dates for San Francisco and visit www.lofteyewearshow.com to find out more about visiting the two shows.

City guides

100% Optical, London: latest news

23rd February 2023

100% Optical will showcase a wide choice of eyewear brands in London this weekend – the latest releases will include some of the new products highlighted here putting the spotlight on high-tech, 3D printed and sustainable materials, including recycled materials, bioplastics, wood and stone….offering British opticians a great opportunity to see the evolution of independent eyewear design. A very bright and bold colour palette will be a feature across the exhibition stands this year!

This weekend marks a highlight in the UK’s optical calendar with the 2023 edition of 100% Optical, from Saturday 25th February to Monday 27th February 2023. The fair takes place at ExCel, London’s premiere exhibition centre in the east of the capital, close to Canary Wharf.

A wide selection of eyewear companies, including independent brands, have confirmed their participation in the London event, among them Ørgreen Optics, Rolf Spectacles, Sea2see, Tree Spectacles, Kirk & Kirk, Morel, Erkers1879, Struktur, SALT. Optics, FACE A FACE, Woow and Nirvan Javan, to name a few.

Award-winning natural materials experts Rolf Spectacles will be represented for the first time at 100%, and have two nominations in the Love Eyewear Awards (kid’s category and sustainable frame category). The Tyrol based artisan label has become a go-to brand in the UK for opticians stocking premium eyewear, and is recognised for its extremely innovative mix of natural eyewear materials, from natural wood and stone, to 3D printed bean based glasses. Above: Rolf Spectacles will head to 100% Optical for the first time, with an array of sustainable natural frames for adults and children – pictured, girl wears the Gamma glasses in the evolved collection – created with natural stone

Find trendsetting colour combinations in the new collection at Woow Eyewear at 100%

Multiple colours and structures with interesting angles and spaces are typical features of the new Woow Collection by Design Eyewear Group. This upbeat line for SS2023 is inspired by holidays and relaxation, and a mood of carefree fun. Preview the frames at www.wooweyewear.com

Nirvan Javan : the collections by the Swiss designer will be on show in London for the first time

The eyewear collection by the Swiss based designer Nirvan Javan will be introduced for the first time in London, by The Exclusive Eyewear Agency. The collections are inspired by unique cities around the world including London, Tokyo, and Toronto. The brand has just announced its brand new Marrakech line, with frames informed by the colours and cultural richness of the historic Moroccan city. www.nirvanjavan.com

BCorp certified Sea2see: ‘sustainable’ eyewear made from 100% marine waste

100% Optical offers an opportunity to find leading sustainable eyewear brands making important steps in sustainability. They include the carbon negative eyewear company Sea2see, always a highlight at the 100% show, and Bird Eyewear, known for its timeless designs, which this year include a new line in bioplastics and recycled materials. www.sea2see.org

Bird Eyewear: launching a new line at 100% featuring bioplastics and recycled materials

100% takes place over three days at ExCel London. Some of the highlighted events during the weekend with include the award ceremony for the Royal College of Art Competition – with the theme ‘Sunglasses that do not cost the earth’, the presentation of the Love Eyewear Awards, and an opening night party with live music. For further information www.100percentoptical.com 100% Optical is a trade-only optical event.