Industry's Messages

Sophia Chong

Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Congratulatory Message from the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Hong Kong has long been one of the world’s leading eyewear exporters. In 2024, the city’s exports of spectacles, lenses and frames rose by 10% year-on-year, reaching HK$22bn. Hong Kong’s premier position in the global eyewear industry can be attributed not only to the industry’s outstanding skill set and design quality, but also to the efforts of the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association. Over the years, the association has played a pivotal role in promoting Hong Kong’s optical manufacturing industry and supporting its expansion into overseas markets.

A testament to this advocacy is its role as the co-organiser of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair, widely regarded as one of Asia’s leading optical trade shows. Under the theme “Bright Eyes • New Horizons”, the 33rd Optical Fair took place from 5 to 7 November 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event presented more than 660 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, including pavilions from various regions of the Chinese Mainland, ASEAN, Japan, Korea and the association itself.

Exclusively dedicated to branded eyewear, the Brand Name Gallery remained the centrepiece of the Fair, with more than 200 brands featured. With smart glasses poised to drive industry growth over the next few years, the Smart Eyewear zone showcased the latest smart glasses and related technologies. Complementing this, the Designer Cafe & Innovation Hub offered a dedicated space for designers’ creations and innovative optical technologies. Additional thematic zones included Contact Lenses & Accessories; Diagnostic Instruments; Eyewear Accessories; Frames & Parts; Lenses; Optometric Instruments, Equipment & Machinery; Reading Glasses; Shop Fittings & Equipment; and Sporting & Professional Eyewear.

Additionally, three thematic labels – namely Green Solutions Suppliers, Smart Eyewear and Smart Ageing Products – were applied to related exhibitors to facilitate sourcing.

During the Fair, buyers scanned exhibitor QR codes using the Scan2Match function in the HKTDC Marketplace App to bookmark their favourite exhibitors, browse product information and engage with exhibitors during and after the exhibition. After the physical Fair period, buyers continued their sourcing journey via the Click2Match smart business matching platform and hktdc.com Sourcing website.

A series of conference sessions and seminars on optometric and eyewear technology were curated to provide visitors with invaluable industry intelligence on smart eyewear, sustainability, the silver market, and emerging market and product trends. A highlight was the 23rd Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium, held under the theme “Age Well, See Well: Redefining Eye Care for the Golden Age.” Renowned speakers from Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK shared insights on the evolving role of optometrists in enhancing seniors’ quality of life. Eyewear parades also took place throughout the Fair period, with models demonstrating exhibitors’ standout spectacles and sunglasses.

In addition to co-organising the Optical Fair, the association works with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to host the annual Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition — an initiative aimed at advancing the city’s design capabilities and nurture budding talent. The winning and finalist entries of the 25th edition, themed “Blending Tradition and Technology”, were displayed during the Optical Fair. Given the high standards of the submissions, I am confident that there is a bright future for Hong Kong’s optical industry.

On behalf of the HKTDC, I would like to thank the association once again for its contribution to the city’s optical industry. I look forward to deepening our collaboration with the association to further advance the industry’s growth and innovation. Inspired by the theme of the 2025 Optical Fair, I wish the association continued success and bold strides towards new horizons in 2026.

We are grateful to HKOMA for their long-standing support and partnership, which have helped the optical industry grow and thrive over the years. We look forward to working together with you for many more fruitful years. I wish the HKOMA and its members the best of business in the year ahead.

Daniel K.Y. Chan

Head of Department Department of Architecture, Interior and Product Design, Hong Kong Design institute

The Department of Architecture, Interior and Product Design at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) has long maintained close collaboration with the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, jointly committed to nurturing new design talent with international vision and practical capability for Hong Kong’s eyewear industry. Over the years, the Association and its member companies have provided sustained support to students in areas such as scholarships, the Mentorship Scheme, professional competitions, visits and exchanges, and curriculum development. This has fostered synergy and alignment among design, manufacturing, and the market, enabling students to build a comprehensive understanding of the industry and hands-on competence during their studies.

First, in talent cultivation and recognition, the Association donates scholarships annually to commend students who excel in eyewear design, craftsmanship/technology, and academic performance. These scholarships are not only an encouragement but also an acknowledgment of students’ effort and potential, providing them with resources and motivation as they pursue their design aspirations. Students generally report that the scholarship program greatly enhances their engagement with the eyewear discipline and pushes them to strive for higher standards in areas including design concepts, ergonomics, materials application, and continuous innovation.

Second, the “Mentorship Scheme” jointly organized by HKDI and the Association each year is a core component of academia–industry collaboration. Industry mentors provide targeted guidance and professional advice on students’ capstone projects, including clarifying design direction, assessing manufacturing feasibility, considering cost control, understanding process workflows, and offering recommendations on brand positioning and market strategy. Throughout the process, students not only gain inspiration and advice but also learn how to balance creativity and commercial realities, making their graduation works more practical and feasible. Participating companies often assist with prototype/sample production, turning students’ designs from drawings into tangible products that showcase both creativity and mass-production potential at the graduation exhibition. We extend special thanks to the Association’s directors and members who have actively participated over the years—it is your dedication and resources that have enabled our students’ growth. This year’s Mentorship Scheme is in preparation; six students have already been selected and matched with the Association, and we look forward to continued support from all members.

In addition, HKDI encourages students every year to actively participate in the “Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition,” which exposes them to real-world judging mechanisms and industry standards. Shortlisted entrants must produce prototypes for final adjudication, and the Association consistently provides technical and resource support in this process, including sample processing, craftsmanship advice, structural reinforcement, and detail optimization. Through the competition, students think more sharply about unifying functionality and aesthetics, while improving their presentation and pitching skills through exchanges with the judging panel. This year, students from HKDI’s Higher Diploma in Jewellery Design and Technology and Higher Diploma in Product Design swept the student category, winning champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up—fully demonstrating the institute’s success in nurturing design talent and the positive impact of academia–industry collaboration.

Beyond classroom teaching and competitions, HKDI also arranges annual visits to the Mainland for students to tour eyewear manufacturing facilities, with strong support from the Association. By entering factories, students can observe key stages first-hand—frame machining, lens processing, surface treatment, polishing and coating, quality inspection, and packing and shipping—and understand how each step from design to mass production affects the final product. These visits give students a more comprehensive grasp of materials selection, ergonomics, sustainability, and quality management, thereby sparking stronger interest and ambition to join the eyewear design profession.

On the curriculum development front, the Association actively provides advice and input. It has long sent representatives to participate in the Jewellery and Timepiece Training Board under the Vocational Training Council (VTC), where we discuss critical topics such as curriculum framework, skills standards, manpower needs, and industry trends. This institutionalized exchange helps the institute balance academic depth with industry requirements and incorporate emerging themes in a timely manner, such as smart eyewear, innovative materials, digitalized production processes, user experience research, and ESG and sustainable design. Through practical alignment with the Association, HKDI can more precisely cultivate graduates who possess interdisciplinary capabilities and a business mindset.

In terms of industry trends, “artificial intelligence” is undoubtedly a hot topic in recent years. HKDI designed and launched an “AI Eyewear Design Workshop” for Association members, enabling participants to get a first taste of AI-assisted design; feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Looking ahead, we hope to deepen collaboration with the Association by providing more needs-based in-service training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, helping enterprises advance more steadily and effectively in digital transformation and talent upgrading.

In summary, the long-term collaboration between HKDI and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association has injected strong momentum into local eyewear design education and industry innovation. From scholarships to the Mentorship Scheme, from design competitions to factory visits, and from curriculum consultation to AI workshops, every facet embodies an educational philosophy that is student-centred and industry-guided. We sincerely thank the Association for its years of support and contributions, and we look forward to the Mentorship Scheme achieving new heights this year—enabling the six paired students to create works with greater design depth and market value under the guidance of industry mentors. Going forward, HKDI will continue to uphold the “Think and Do” education approach, working hand in hand with the Association and its member companies through more co-creation projects, internship opportunities, applied research, and talent training to cultivate a new generation of professionals for Hong Kong’s eyewear industry who combine creativity, technology, and a strong sense of responsibility. Once again, we thank the Association for its steadfast support—let us together witness and drive the continuous progress and exciting development of Hong Kong eyewear design.