Specscart inspires designers of the future at launch of Manchester Collection competition

A leading Manchester eyewear brand is helping to shape the designers of tomorrow through a new creative challenge launched in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Specscart, the optical innovator known for shaking up the eyewear industry, has teamed up with students from Clarendon Sixth Form College to design a limited-edition glasses collection inspired by all things Manchester.

The Manchester Collection Design Competition was officially launched at the college this week, where over 100 art, design, fashion, graphics, photography, animation and media students were invited to take part. The challenge encourages them to celebrate what makes Manchester truly unique, from the city’s rich artistic and musical heritage to its iconic landmarks and famous foods.

Students will create mood boards and designs for six pairs of spectacles inspired by Manchester’s culture, from LS Lowry and Matthew Williamson to Joy Division, Oasis, Manchester Town Hall, and even local favourites like Eccles cakes and Bury black pudding.

Over the next month, participants will turn their ideas into fully-fledged designs using traditional illustration or digital CAD tools. The most original and eye-catching concepts could go on to be produced by Specscart’s expert team whose Manchester-based lab handcrafts more than 300 pairs of glasses each day for customers across 132 countries.

Tamsin Stringfellow, Specscart’s Head of Customer Service and Business Growth, launched the competition at Clarendon. She said: “Specscart is boldly different to every other UK optician, and this competition is one way for us to bring innovation, fresh ideas and vitality to our fashion-led glasses range.

“The students at the launch event were very enthusiastic, and quite a few came to speak to us afterwards to ask questions and look at the selection of frames we had brought along. Everyone at Specscart is looking forward to seeing their flair brought to life in their Manchester Collection designs.”

After an initial round of judging at the college, a shortlist of designs will be sent to Specscart’s senior leadership team. The winner will be announced at the company’s Bury headquarters, receiving £100, with two runners-up each taking home £50.

Winning designs will then go through Specscart’s rigorous quality control and proof-of-concept process to assess whether they can be produced commercially and sold worldwide, both online and in the company’s stores across Greater Manchester.

Ryan Boulton, Fashion and Textiles Course Leader at Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “This Manchester Collection collaboration is all about bringing the fresh, original and creative flair of our students into a real-world commercial business.

“Not only does this give our learners the chance to add to their professional portfolio, but it also gives them an insight into how design intersects with manufacturing, fashion and eye health. I can’t wait to see what the students come up with.”

To find out more about the competition, visit www.specscart.co.uk.