Vision Expo Global Talent Search

“The seven edCFDA designers and judges have gathered and are collectively proud to announce the independent eyewear brand Port Tanger, as the recipient of the 2022 Global Vision Expo Talent Search Award,” said Christian Roth, one of the seven eyewear designers of the edCFDA who judged the contest. “This year’s award has a very special meaning to us. Despite the uncertainty and challenges of the past two years, this skillful, independent designer and entrepreneur has had the courage and resources to pursue his dreams while navigating the pandemic with creativity and brilliance.”

“I come from a production background and I fell in love with eyewear in my early twenties and I started to collect before giving life to few ideas,” said Bilal Fellah. One of Port Tanger’s owners and designers. “We are a team of four and one cannot take all the credit, though. We work with many different talents and Port Tanger is a true collective". Only with the help of my business partner was I able to create what Port Tanger is today.  Our goal is to embrace our culture and heritage through our eyewear.  We are pleased to receive this award and continue our vision.”

Inspired by the Moroccan city of Tangier, Port Tanger is a luxury eyewear brand that embodies and celebrates the city’s dna and vibrant lifestyle.  The name “Port Tanger” is a nod to how the city of Tangier serves as both the gateway to Africa and the portal to Europe.  Port Tanger’s frames celebrate the international culture and Mediterranean vibrance of Tangier through evocative designs, premium quality, and luxurious flair.  The eyewear brand is currently carried by 43 retailers worldwide, including Kith, Selima Optique and Assembly New York.

Winner Benefits:

Port Tanger will be introduced to the creative eyewear community with a complimentary booth in Vision Expo’s emerging designer incubator neighborhood, The Springs.

The winner will also be given recognition during a celebratory event hosted by the edCFDA and Vision Expo, on Saturday, April 2 at 5pm in The Atelier, Vision Expo’s new home for brands with unique, ownable culture and respected industry position.

Luxury Optical Holding’s (LOH) newly developed B2C e-commerce site, Hellovisionist.com, is pleased to join forces with Vision Expo on its Global Talent Search, supported by the eyewear designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA), to award the winner of the talent search a coveted spot on Visionist’s site. The talent search winner will be featured in Visionist’s “up-and-coming” section for the season as the collection launches on Visionist, as well as have a brand page built out for them featuring the winner’s creative campaign and storytelling behind the brand.

Vision Expo will feature the winner on ShopVISION.com, the groundbreaking new digital B2B sourcing solution for optical and optometric professionals. On its dedicated platform, buyers can source products, build relationships with suppliers and manage all of your product discovery and research needs.

To be eligible for consideration, designers had to demonstrate the following:

• Business was established after January 1, 2018;
• Annual sales are equal to one million or less; and
• Press and social media support

Applicants were judged by seven legendary eyewear designers from the edCFDA including:

• Christian Roth, Designer + Co-Founder of Christian Roth Eyewear & Optical Affairs 
• Jeff Press, Chief Creative Officer for Luxury Optical Holdings: Morgenthal Frederics/Robert Marc NYC
• Gai Gherardi, co-Founder and co-Designer of l.a.Eyeworks
• Patty Perreira, Designer and Co-Founder of Barton Perreira
• Selima Salaun, Founder and Creative Director of Selima Optique
• Shane Baum, Founder of Baumvision, CEO and Designer of Leisure Society
• Blake Kuwahara, President of Focus Group West; Creative Director of Blake Kuwahara Eyewear

Congratulations to Port Tanger.