Charmant International Design Competition, Japan, Grand-Prix
Theme of the competition “Spectacle frame”. “The organizers of the contest counted on the fact that due to the design of these frames, they will become an absolutely natural tool, allowing people to become unaware of having glasses on because of their perfect fitting. Designer Naoto Fukasawa was the judge of the contest."
...There were many designs that put their emphasis on mechanical characteristics and concepts, looking good as spectacles. I think the winning design is one that, rather than presenting the spectacles alone, appropriately blends the overall sense when worn with a slightly new sense of fashion and uniqueness. The overall quality of the competition was extremely high. I think that with designs for spectacles, which require a certain level of specific skills, an understanding that reaches a layer of quality unachievable through ideas alone is essential.
Naoto FUKASAWA
The contest took place from 27th November to 5th May 2005.
It consisted of three stages. The organizers of the contest gathered the works for pre-examination during the first stage. After careful selection, President of the jury, Mr Naoto Fukasawa, chose 160 works from 20 countries of the world to begin the second stage of the contest, which consisted of an exam in commercialization. 9 works were selected on the basis of this research. Industrial sample pieces were produced, and among them the winners were found.
Vadim Kibardin became the grand prize winner ($10.000), which was officially stated on the awarding ceremony held on 5th May in MIDO exhibition in Milan.
Charmant group is one of the world’s largest enterprises, specializing on production of frames for glasses. Among the brands that are part of Charmant are: Charmant, Nodoka, Aristar, Dress Code, Cristian Roth, Esprit, ELLE and Puma. Company’s office network covers all the main cities of the world. The frames are designed by independent design-offices (Milan, Paris, Tokyo etc.), studios and well-known under contract designers.
photo: Julia Kibardina