Applications Open for 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, With Entrants Now Required to Submit Full Collections
Applications have opened for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, the international student competition that returns to MIDO | Milano Eyewear Show next February with a reworked format and a new theme, "The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined."
The award, presented during MIDO from February 6-8, 2027, in Milan, honours the late Italian eyewear designer Sergio Cereda, whose career was built on translating a brand's identity into standout collections. It was founded by Harvey Ross, and is presented in partnership with the Ross Viva Family Foundation, MIDO, and the Cereda family.
Collections replace single frames
The biggest change for 2027 is the format itself. Where previous editions asked students to submit a single frame, entrants must now design a complete three-piece collection, either three original optical frames or three original sunglass designs, that work together as a cohesive family rather than as one-off pieces.
Applicants are also required to submit a one- to two-minute video presentation walking through their inspiration, creative process and how the collection reflects a brand's DNA or an original concept of their own. Organisers say the video will carry significant weight in judging.
Participants can choose to reinterpret the design philosophy of an existing brand, movement or aesthetic, or develop something entirely original with the brief steering students away from imitation and toward demonstrating a genuine understanding of what makes a design point of view distinctive.
"Sergio Cereda understood that exceptional design begins with understanding," competition founder Harvey Ross said, noting Cereda's habit of immersing himself in a brand's customer, materials, history and purpose before ever sketching a frame. Ross said the format was designed to push students to "think strategically, communicate their ideas, and design with authenticity."
MIDO president Lorraine Berton said the award encouraged emerging designers to look past the object itself. "True creativity begins with understanding identity, purpose, and context before form," she said, describing student support as part of MIDO's broader commitment to the industry's next generation.
Building on a strong first year
The inaugural 2026 competition drew more than 120 applications from design schools including Istituto Marangoni Milano, Savannah College of Art and Design, LABA Brescia, IED Torino, ITS Cosmo Fashion Academy, Politecnico Milano and Germany's Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design.
Entries for 2027 will be assessed by a judging panel spanning design, retail and manufacturing: Harvey Ross (Viva International Group, Optyx New York, HMR Holdings), Lorraine Berton (MIDO/ANFAO), Stefania Cereda Oppermann (EssilorLuxottica), Caterina Cereda (Sergio Cereda Archive), David Friedfeld (Clear Vision Optical), Giovanni Vitaloni (Vanni Eyewear) and eyewear designer Bruno Palmegiani.
Judges will score submissions on creativity and originality, cohesion across the three-piece collection, interpretation of brand DNA or strength of an original concept, innovation, craftsmanship, material awareness and market relevance, and the quality of the video presentation and overall storytelling.
Prize pool and key dates
A total of US$20,000 in prize money will be awarded at MIDO 2027: US$10,000 for first place, US$5,000 for second, US$3,000 for third, and a US$2,000 "Harvey's Choice Award" for fourth place.
Entries close on November 30, 2026, with winners to be announced at MIDO 2027 in Milan (exact date and time to be confirmed). Full criteria and applications are available at optyx.com/sergio-cereda-award-application, with updates also posted to Instagram via @sergioceredaaward.
