Safilo Group and Marc Jacobs announce the early renewal of their multi-year global licensing agreement for Marc Jacobs branded eyewear until December 2031. “Since the beginning of our partnership in 2004 we have collaborated profitably to make Marc Jacobs an iconic landmark within the eyewear category, offering unique and highly distinctive models in every collection. During these 20 years the brand has grown to become one of the most emblematic brands of Safilo’s contemporary and premium offering, with a strong global appeal for both men and women, and with still many new opportunities for growth in its core US market as well as worldwide,” said Angelo Trocchia, Ceo of Safilo Group. Marc Jacobs International Ceo, Eric Marechalle, states: “We look forward to the continued success of our partnership with Safilo. Working together to further the unique Marc Jacobs vision to the eyewear category, through new and exciting global opportunities remains our key objective.”

May 2024

Mykita’s Decades collection is growing with the styles that are a mix of vintage and modern aesthetics with contemporary silhouettes and opulent design details. New arrivals to the Decades collection play with surface and depth. The first concept translates the look of solid acetate styles into Mykita’s stainless steel construction for a bold, modern expression. The second concept takes the acetate rings design to the next level with sculptural acetate rims fitted into a stainless steel frame. The added material gives the glasses greater depth and creates a luxurious mix of materials and surfaces. Sunglasses Norfolk and Mott present a squarish silhouette with plenty of surface area, all hand-lacquered in dark matt, solid colours, and an eye-catching shade of light blue. Retro shades Pearl and Monroe stand out with their rounded silhouette and fine surface detailing. Sunglasses Leeland and Gia both feature a polygonal panto shape and sculptural acetate rings paired with Mykita’s attention- grabbing new split temple design. The effect of glossy metallics mixing with mottled acetates is a rich, ornamental look and feel.

May 2024

Modo Eyewear introduces nine brand new frame shapes, accompanied by three exquisite new sun designs. Additionally, the collection introduces captivating new colors for each of the four valued designs from the previous season. New colors in line with the seasonal palette for the optical styles include green, light purple, and peach. For the suns introduced, color options include classic black and tortoise, as well as tones of green, pink and lavender. As with other Modo suns, the three new styles feature the signature advanced HCD polarized lenses. The frames ensure durability and comfort with fronts and temples crafted using HD Acetate, along with the 5-barrel riveted hinge and over-molded screws. Further enhancing the retro feel of the styles, each design also showcases a keyhole bridge, a custom metal wire core with engraved vertical lines both internally and externally, a raised metal square logo on the temple tips, and a distinctive 45° angle endpiece. The acetate frames in the collection feature fronts and temples made of HD Acetate.

May 2024

Carbon-negative eyewear brand Eco Eyewear presents a new bio-based collection for the Spring/Summer 2024 season. With eight new styles and an equal amount of matching magnetic sun clips, there is a sustainable option for everyone. Of the five women’s styles introduced in the collection, one of the standout pieces is the Marigold, an angular design with a strong presence. This chic, soft hexagonal shape with a slight cat-eye corner adds a playful touch to any outfit. Flora, a more rounded interpretation of the cat’s eye that is as elegant as it is eye-catching, is also one of the collection’s showstoppers. For men, the new bio-based collection offers a total of three new rectangular options that are as striking as they are eco-friendly. Inspired by the 60s, Heath features a thicker square frame with a straight brow line that exudes confidence. For a lasting impression, men can try Elm, a classic square design with a thicker frame.

May 2024

Famous Australian cricketer Pat Cummins is the new face of Carrera eyewear. The famous athlete shared his journey from being just a fan of the brand to becoming an ambassador. Pat Cummins came across Carrera eyewear seven or eight years ago, initially attracted to the brand’s style but soon became enamored with its boldness and unique appeal. Two years on from his association with Carrera, Cummins says that wearing Carrera has become much more than fashion. For him, Carrera eyewear represent game-changing clarity both on and off the cricket field. Pat Cummins says, “Clarity of vision is very important for a professional cricketer. Facing a ball hurtling down at 140 kilometers per hour requires perfect visual clarity. Although I wear contact lenses when I play, I rely on Carrera eyewear to maintain precision during meetings and match preparations. For me, Carrera is not just an accessory; it is a symbol of readiness and confidence. That’s why I am excited about our collaboration.”

May 2024

Switzerland-based luxury eyewear brand Akoni has completed its Spring/Summer 2024 campaign, ideally reflecting the profile and striking color palette of the VII collection, shot in the famous Alpine valley of Valle Verzasca. Artistic director Tommaso Garner worked closely with photographer Mattia Balsamini to focus the campaign on Skyracer, Cosmo and Tiros, three key designs from the Akoni VII collection. Shot in the tranquil river pools and smooth stones of Valle Verzasca, the still life images highlight the frames’ handmade, one-of-a-kind ornaments, expertly created by respected Japanese artisans. “The impeccable proportions of each of our Akoni frames are ultimately based on the golden ratio, an age-old mathematical formula. Valle Verzasca, one of nature’s mesmerizing masterpieces, was therefore the perfect choice for our new campaign,” said Salma Rashid, Akoni’s Creative Director.

May 2024

Blackfin has added two new models to its Atlantic collection for the Spring/Summer 2024 season. Blackfin Atlantic is launching two new optical styles that can also be worn with sun lenses.  Although both models are optical glasses, these styles can also be worn as sunglasses. The new models are characterized by the sophisticated elegance of titanium, the very British-inspired shapes of the frames and the quality of the artisanal craftsmanship found in every detail. In the new additions to the Blackfin Atlantic collection, the front titanium plate, designed in bold thicknesses, also flexes, creating a gentle curve near the bridge with an elegant interplay of lines. Thanks to highly advanced technical skills, the material defines shapes and softens styles. Of the two new optical models, Harlem is a unisex panto, while Hampstead is more square-shaped and has a decidedly masculine vibe. The color palette for both styles includes the Black Edition version, with front in Nano-Plating™ Shiny Obsidian Black Gold.

May 2024

Kuboraum has unveiled an installation-window at their Milan Flagship Store in collaboration with friend and artist Vinicius Jayme Vallorani on the occasion of Miart 2024. The installation-window has been taken over by Vinicius Jayme Vallorani, an artist based in Milan whose practice creates performative vacuums transforming the interrelation between components of metaphoric and solid matter into aesthetic events. His work is described as lying in the interval between an open planimetry, a cinematic shoot, and a steamy encounter in which one is seduced by a rip or a river. Whether it’s a canvas or a sculpture, the spatial dimension of his pieces exudes an echoing presence. The viewer is invited to participate in a reversal of perspective from content to context and vice versa.

May 2024

Innovative Eyewear, the developer of ChatGPT smart eyewear under the Lucyd, Nautica, Eddie Bauer and Reebok brands, has announced the signing of Micah Richards as an official brand ambassador. Richards is a former England International footballer, turned broadcaster, currently working for Sky Sports, CBS Sports and BBC Sport while also a co-host of “The Rest Is Football,” a U.K. podcast. Richards began his senior career with Manchester City, for whom he would make 245 appearances, during a period that included winning the club’s first ever Premier League title in 2012 following the FA Cup a year prior. As well as representing England from 2006-2012, Richards also played for the Great Britain team at the 2012 London Summer Olympics. “Few 21st century soccer personalities are as entertaining and popular as Micah. His energetic personality and love for sport complements the Lucyd brand. We are thrilled to work with him to share our mission of safe and seamless smart eyewear worldwide. We believe Micah will help us reach new athletes and sports fans and increase our brand awareness,” said Innovative Eyewear Ceo Harrison Gross.

May 2024

EssilorLuxottica announced that consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2024 was €6,335 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.5 percent at constant exchange rates compared with the first quarter of 2023. Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO, and Paul du Saillant, Deputy Ceo at EssilorLuxottica commented, “We’re pleased to report another solid start to the year for the company, with every geography and business contributing to the positive performance. Building on these results, and thanks to our strong executive team and our 200,000 talented colleagues, we continued to make bold and transformational moves, driven by a strong pipeline of innovation with new categories, digital solutions and products, including Stellest, Varilux XR series and the recently launched Transitions Gen S.” The initial quarter of 2024 grew mid-single digit in line with the company’s long-term guidance. The top performing regions were EMEA, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, while North America saw low-single digit growth.

May 2024