Cutting edge eyewear on display in Hong Kong

October 25, 2010

The 12th annual Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition recently took place, and some of the world's top designers will soon showcase their latest fashionable frames, according to The Independent.

Along with Italy and the U.S., Hong Kong is one of the largest exporters of optical wear. The competition will take place during the country's Hong Kong Optical Fair, one of the largest eyewear events in Asia.

Last year's event saw more than 10,000 visitors representing nearly 100 different countries and regions.

Competitors will be vying for several awards, including the Greatest Creativity Award and the Grand Award. The top 10 designs and 14 other finalists will be featured at the fair, along with 550 other exhibitors.

Designs range from practical to outrageous. According to the news source, one pair of sunglasses at the competition were inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and were created to "reflect the shadow of the Eiffel Tower under the sun."

Sunglasses can be both fashionable and practical. According to the American Optometric Association, glasses that screen out 99 to 100 percent of all UV radiation are best.