Specsavers has announced the inaugural winners of its #LoveGlasses competition, which celebrates spectacle wearers across Australia and New Zealand.

An evolution of the popular Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition, the #LoveGlasses campaign invites proud glasses wearers to post a ‘spec selfie’ to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #LoveGlasses.

“#LoveGlasses is all about showcasing the individual style and confidence of those who wear glasses,” explained Australian fashion designer Alex Perry, the campaign’s ambassador. “I have always believed that glasses are the ultimate accessory and now glasses wearers can celebrate their spec style for a good cause. Glasses have the ability to not only transform a look, but they also provide a vital function in helping people to see.”

The contest attracted wide interest, with hundreds of entries collected across Australia and New Zealand; however, two spec selfies stood a head above the rest – those submitted by Hobart’s Jillian Jackson and Auckland’s Mia MacDonald. The two winners each won a $1,000 designer wardrobe along with a year’s supply of designer glasses. They will also become the new faces of Specsavers in Australia and New Zealand, respectively.

Mia said, “Specsavers made the process of selecting my first pairs of prescription glasses so enjoyable. I love that there is a style on offer for everyone and the #LoveGlasses campaign truly celebrates the diversity of specs available to suit each and every individual.

“I hadn’t had a formal eye test done by an optometrist in quite a few years and it was the best decision I could have made. I would encourage people of all ages to have their eyes tested regularly. I love wearing glasses that suit my personal style. My specs have significantly improved the quality of my life and my natural confidence.”

Prior to the winners being announced, the five Australian finalists additionally enjoyed an all-expenses paid trip to Melbourne Fashion Week, for which Specsavers was the official eyewear partner. While there, they received a VIP styling session and photoshoot with Alex Perry.

Jillian said the experience had been wonderful. “I was lucky to spend two days at Melbourne Fashion Week, where we enjoyed a behind the scenes experience – what a buzz! I was looked after like a rock star and the photoshoot was a lot of fun. Nothing was too much trouble. I’m going to love selecting my new glasses from Specsavers’ stunning new range and I can’t thank Specsavers enough for this fantastic opportunity.”

As part of the campaign, Specsavers also donated $1 per #LoveGlasses entry to The Fred Hollows Foundation, and over $1,000 has been raised to date. The Foundation, which is Specsavers’ national charity partner, works to restore sight, train healthcare professionals, strengthen health systems and drive innovation and research with the aim of ending avoidable blindness.

Entries are currently open for the next instalment of the #LoveGlasses campaign and Specsavers is again calling on glasses wearers to share their spec selfies on social media to enter the competition, with money raised continuing to be channelled to The Fred Hollows Foundation.

More details about the #LoveGlasses campaign can be found below:
Australian #LoveGlasses campaign
New Zealand #LoveGlasses campaign

The winning #LoveGlasses entries