On Sunday 24 October, Florence played host to the XXVII edition of Maestro Ottico Day, organised by Eidos Communication and AIO (Italian Association of Opticians and Optometrists) in collaboration with l’Ottico magazine and with the support of MIDO. The sole sponsor of the event is Omisan Farmaceutici, an Italian company specialised in the development, production and marketing of ophthalmic medical equipment for the different requirements of eye healthcare, and contact lenses.
The event was presented by Dr. Mario Casini (Chairman of AIO), Giovanni Susti (Managing Director of l’Ottico magazine) and Roberto Pregliasco (Business Retail coach). They were joined on stage by speakers Alessia Bellotti (Marketing Manager of Omisan Farmaceutici), Massimo Barberis (General Manager of Oxo Italia), and Francesco Gili (Chief Operating Officer of MIDO).
During the event, Dr. Mario Casini presented the Maestro Ottico diploma certificates (for at least 30 years in the profession) and the AIO pin to 57 optometrists from 15 Italian regions and to 20 AIO Historic Stores, 3 of which have existed for over one hundred years.
This ‘club’ comprises optical stores which have traded for over half a century, a sector of excellence. The category of Historic Stores in the optical industry in Italy certainly is particular, as it offers stories of dedication, passion and service for the region which (in more than a few cases) began in the 1800s or early 1900s, surviving periods of war and natural disasters, as well as momentous changes in lifestyles and technology.
The event also hosted the 2021 edition of the Graziella Pagni Eyewear Award, the international contest dedicated to the independent eyewear industry. The award, which rewards the most innovative and creative frames while focusing the spotlight on the eyewear industry, is dedicated to the memory of the wife of AIO president Dr. Mario Casini.
This year saw three categories, with the winners as follows:
Design category
Jean-Francois Rey with the J.F. Rey collection
Fashion category
Prophilo with the Oscar Mamooi collection
Innovation category
Mar.vas with the Bust Out collection
In 2019, a fourth award was introduced: the Grand Jury Prize, for the most-voted glasses overall, which was won this year by the Glassense collection by Acoesis.
This edition introduced the Grand Prize for Elegance, awarded to the Dymenzion-x collection by Good’s.
The organisers have also confirmed the 2022 edition, which will take place again in Florence.