The 2024 Shenzhen International Eyewear (Wearable) Design Contest, the first of its kind to focus on both aesthetics and functionality, was launched in Longgang District on Friday.
Designers from around the world are invited to submit original projects that fuse eyewear design with technological innovations. Smart wearables featuring AI, AR and VR applications are welcome.
A press conference announces the inauguration of the 2024 Shenzhen International Eyewear (Wearable) Design Contest in Longgang on Friday. Photos courtesy of the event organizer
Running from October to December, the competition includes preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds. The Grand Jury Award will recognize exceptional work across all categories, with finalists competing for a cash prize of 100,000 yuan (US$14,081).
Once the competition concludes, all award-winning submissions will be featured in an exhibition that combines both online virtual displays and physical showcases to create an engaging, interactive experience.
Street installations promote the Shenzhen Eyewear Fashion Week held in Shenzhen in August 2023. Shenzhen is establishing itself as a key player in the global high-end eyewear market.
Shenzhen, known as a hub for advanced manufacturing, is establishing itself as a key player in the global high-end eyewear market. With over 40 years of experience in the eyewear industry, the city is leveraging its history to inspire creativity and technological advancements within this sector.
Kou Ningyan, deputy general manager of the Shenzhen Enterprise Service Group, emphasized that the competition encourages participants to explore how technological innovation can drive upgrades in the fashion design industry.
"This competition will showcase Shenzhen as an inclusive and innovative city, breaking down traditional industry barriers,” Kou said. "It aims to stimulate the fusion of industrial design, virtual reality, and smart wearables with the traditional eyewear sector, fostering a vibrant exchange between technology and art.”
The contest’s winning projects will be showcased at the “2024 Light Vision” Shenzhen International Eyewear Expo, scheduled for Dec. 27-29 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District. Spanning 15,000 square meters, the expo will host over 200 exhibitors and is expected to attract 20,000 visitors from regions such as Europe, the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Key suppliers from Shenzhen’s eyewear industry will present the latest technological advances, with a focus on smart solutions. Eight supporting events, including an international forum, product launches, investment promotions, and factory tours in Longgang, will complement the main exhibition.
“This expo positions Shenzhen as a global destination for luxury eyewear brands,” said Yu Quan, vice president of the Shenzhen Federation of Commerce. “Our goal is to establish it as one of the top three eyewear exhibitions in China and the premier expo in the Greater Bay Area.”
