Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award Expands Globally
The Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, presented by the Ross Viva Family Foundation in partnership with the MIDO Exhibition in Milano, is proud to announce its global expansion for 2026. Now open to the world’s most prestigious eyewear and fashion design schools, the award is a premier international platform exclusively dedicated to recognizing the next generation of visionary student designers in the optical space.
While other design competitions highlight industry professionals or brands, the Sergio Cereda Award is one of the few global honors created specifically for emerging student designers, offering significant cash prizes, mentorship opportunities, and a live stage at the world’s leading eyewear trade show — MIDO |Milano Eyewear Show.
Celebrating Rising Stars in Eyewear Design
The award made its live debut at MIDO 2025, where Tea Rocco, a student at LABA School of Design in Italy, was named the first winner. The announcement was delivered in front of hundreds of attendees. The excitement was palpable as industry professionals from around the world witnessed her breakthrough moment. The award announcement, led by MIDO President Lorraine Berton, set a new tone for how the industry celebrates industry heritage along with fresh talent.
Later in 2025, Sophia Denison of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) earned the North American title during Vision Expo 2025.
2026 Awards: What to Expect
Eligibility: Students under age 30 enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited design program
Theme: “Eyewear in its pure form: Balance between proportions and harmony, innovation and breaking point.”
Prizes:
1st Place: $10,000 USD
2nd Place: $5,000 USD
3rd Place: $2,500 USD
Deadline: November 2025
Live Award Ceremony: MIDO 2026, Fiera Milano Rho, Milano, Italy
2026 International Jury
A globally respected jury will review all entries for design originality, technical execution, and vision:
Harvey Ross – Founder, Viva International Group; CEO, OPTYX New York and HMR Holdings
Stefania Cereda Oppermann – Design Consultant, EssilorLuxottica North America Product Team
Caterina Cereda – Freelance Consultant
Lorraine Berton – President, MIDO Exhibition
David Friedfeld – President, ClearVision Optical
Giovanni Vitaloni – Founder, VANNI Eyewear
Bruno Palmegiani – Eyewear Designer
“Sergio Cereda was not only my business partner for decades—he was my best friend and creative soulmate,” said Harvey Ross, founder of the Ross Viva Family Foundation and co-creator of the award. ‘’This competition is my way of honoring his legacy and ensuring that his passion for bold, beautiful, forward-thinking design lives on. We’re proud to present this award alongside MIDO to elevate the future leaders of our industry.”
“We are very enthusiastic about the 2026 edition! Our dad would be very honored to know that his work is inspiring the creative minds of the new generations. We encourage the participating students to enjoy this opportunity to the fullest, and we thank Harvey and MIDO for making this happen.” The Cereda family
“Presenting the first winner of the Cereda Award at MIDO 2025 was a truly meaningful moment for me – said Lorraine Berton, MIDO President. Sergio Cereda made an important contribution to our industry, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to his memory. In a sector like eyewear, where tradition and innovation go hand in hand, preserving and celebrating the legacy of those who shaped it is essential. I was also particularly pleased that the award went to a young woman, and now I’m really looking forward to discovering the winners of the next edition”.
To apply: https://optyx.com/sergio-cereda-award-application/
About the Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award
Presented by the Ross Viva Family Foundation and the MIDO Exhibition, the Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award was created to honor the legacy of Italian eyewear pioneer Sergio Cereda. Known for his eye for elegance, technical brilliance, and commitment to mentorship, Cereda helped shape the global eyewear industry. The award is now one of the most respected honors for emerging designers and continues to celebrate bold new ideas with global impact.
About MIDO
MIDO is the largest optical trade show in the world, hosting more than 42,000 visitors from over 168 countries, at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan, Italy. Join The Optical Journal at MIDO 2026 from Saturday, 31 January to Monday, 2 February, and stick around for the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Original link: https://www.opticaljournal.com/sergio-cereda-eyewear-design-award-expands-globally/