Opti, the international trade fair for optics and design, will once again focus on sustainability, one of the most important issues of our time, from January 31 to February 2, 2025 in Munich. In addition to the Sustainability Award, which was presented for the first time last year due to the great success and the importance of the topic, the Opti fair authorities announced that the 2025 edition will also present the Sustainability Youngster Award, dedicated to the new generation of the industry. The new award offers students and trainees in the optical industry a fun space to present their projects. All young people currently studying in the industry or enrolled in a degree program in the discipline of ophthalmic optics, such as students at universities, vocational or graduate schools and technical colleges, are invited to participate. The Sustainability Award, now in its second edition at Opti 2025, will once again be awarded to national and international opticians who have convinced the jury of their commitment to sustainability. For more information on how to participate in the awards, please visit Opti’s website.

December 2024

Relaunched two years ago, Nylor, the iconic French brand dating back to the mid-1950s, presents a new eyewear collection based on its traditional values. Inspired by the iconic vintage designs that made the brand famous, Nylor has repositioned its collection with a contemporary flavour, selecting the finest materials in the present to recreate the unique new variations of the handcrafted designs of its past. Made in Italy, the designs come in a range of materials including acetate or metal coated in precious metals such as gold or silver.  For sunglasses, the frames are fitted with Zeiss Originals tints from the 1950s, specifically reissued to fit perfectly with the style and 50s origins of the range. Highlights this season include the model Leopold, a tribute to the poet, Léopold Sédar Senghor. The design is all about the structure of the brow line, a thick, delicately bevelled acetate bar which curves into the temples seamlessly creating a single line which wraps around either side of the face.

December 2024

Mykita and Thélios has announced a minority investment agreement, strengthening the Berlin brand’s global position and aiming to innovate the future of eyewear design. Mykita, the pioneering Berlin-based eyewear brand, and Thélios, the eyewear entity of LVMH Group, are pleased to announce that they have entered an agreement in view of a minority investment in Mykita. This strategic step for Mykita is currently subject to customary regulatory approvals. Mykita will continue to operate with full independence in every aspect of its strategy, operations and creative process, from design conception to production and distribution. The development marks a significant moment of affirmation for the Mykita brand and everything it has established in just over 20 years of business. It underscores the belief and confidence in Mykita’s concept, values and vision for the future. This minority investment will strengthen Mykita’s position as a truly global design and manufacturing house, to continue driving innovation and shaping the future of the eyewear category with its unconventional spirit and dedication to exceptional design.

December 2024

Now into its fifth year, the collaboration between eyewear company Morel and world-class architect Jean Nouvel, evolves their concept of circular eyewear styles. The latest collaboration collection studies the circular design with a minimalist aesthetic. Jean Nouvel has a predilection for round spectacles and a high quality, essential design structure achieved in premium materials including acetate and titanium. Jean Nouvel is an award-winning French architect who has designed products and furniture as well as world-famous buildings such as Torre Glories in Barcelona (Agbar), 100 11th Avenue Condominium, New York, and the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Arts in Paris. To find out more about the Morel par Jean Nouvel collaboration collection, visit Morel’s website.

December 2024

Milan Optical Fair (Mido) is preparing to welcome its visitors between February 8-10, 2025 with over 1,200 exhibitors from 50 countries. Mido officials announced that this year’s edition will see significant changes. One of the most important innovations concerns pavilions 2 and 4, which will continue to host the iconic Design Area. Featuring the industry’s most visionary creators, the Design Area is described by Mido as a laboratory of experimentation where shapes and materials come together to express the many faces of eyewear. Mido officials say that the return of some key former exhibitors will further elevate this already extremely popular space. Academy, a sought-after area for companies focusing on designer originality, will move this year from pavilion 2 to pavilion 6, dedicated to technology, bringing technology together with creativity. The famous Fashion Square, a crossroads for big brands and a magnet for fashion and luxury lovers, will also be updated to make it more functional. In addition, starting this year, the historic Otticlub area reserved for workshops, seminars and conferences etc… will be renamed as The Vision Stage.

December 2024

Marcolin officially inaugurated its new London showroom with a grand opening held on Wednesday, November 20. Located right next to the celebrated Old Street Roundabout inside a network of historic and renovated warehouse-style buildings called Old Street Yard, Marcolin’s new showroom was designed by Milan-based design firm Navone Associati. A flexible and elegant working environment that includes offices and a large exhibition space dedicated to the brands in Marcolin’s portfolio. The opening ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests, including members of the British press, customers, partners and institutions. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy an immersive experience and discover Marcolin’s craftsmanship firsthand, thanks to the presence of a “creative room” dedicated to design and prototyping. Marcolin Group has a global network of 15 subsidiaries worldwide, in Europe (Benelux, DACH, France, Italy, Nordics, Portugal, Spain, UK), the Americas (US, Brazil, Mexico), Asia (Hong Kong Shanghai, Singapore) and Australia (Sydney), 1 joint venture (UAE) and over 150 international distribution partners.

December 2024

Last month, Marcolin’s Board of Directors reported its financial results for the nine months to September 30, 2024. The first nine months of 2024 saw margin expansion, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reaching €65.7 million, representing 16.1% of net sales, compared to 3% in the nine months of 2023. Net sales amounted to 408.0 million Euro, down 3.2% at current exchange rates (-2.8% at constant exchange rates) compared to the same period of the previous year. On a like-for-like basis, i.e. excluding the positive impact of new brands in 2024 and the impact of discontinued brands, the increase was 0.6% at current exchange rates and 1.0% at constant exchange rates. The main markets in 2024 were EMEA and the Americas, which recorded revenues of 202.0 million Euro and 151.0 million Euro, respectively. The Asian market, which has a high potential for Marcolin Group, recorded significant growth in the first nine months of the year, consolidating the growth trend of recent years. The adjusted net financial position amounted to €337.4 million, an improvement of €6.9 million compared to December 31, 2023, thanks to positive cash flow from operating activities.

December 2024

Lunor is expanding its stainless steel collection and presenting exciting new products. The popular classics, which stand for retro designs, precise technology and traditional craftsmanship, are getting a fresh update. In particular, the vintage line M5, which has been a defining feature of the range for over 20 years, and the M6, are now available in new shapes and colors. The vintage line M5 is extended by the elegant crown panto shape. This model, the M5 08, impresses with a straight upper frame line that radiates nobility and blends harmoniously into the existing collection. The M6 also shines in a new design and enriches the collection with the model M6 06, which impresses with a small Panatomic shape. This line, which was created with two years of development work and attention to detail, reflects the finest eyewear craftsmanship. The iconic model Classic Round, made famous by Apple Founder Steve Jobs, has also been given an elegant update. The rimless glasses, famous for their understated look and lightness, are now available in satin rose gold. This elegant shade, which already enjoys great popularity in Lunor’s titanium frames, combines exclusivity with modern style.

December 2024

Look presents new Nil Premium series, a standout in the brand’s Moda collection. True to Look’s ethos, these frames reinterpret runway trends with a unique vision, blending bold design and timeless sophistication for today’s discerning wearer. The new Nil Premium series showcases four exceptional frame styles, each available in four striking colorways. Crafted with the front in NIL, an exclusive material prized for its lightweight, durable, and comfortable properties, these frames are a testament to innovative craftsmanship. They feature bold shapes and refined lines, elevated by modern elements like transparency, iridescence, and nuanced detailing. The collection’s color palette is a harmonious mix of classic and contemporary. The Nil Premium series embodies the perfect fusion of minimalist design and striking details. Each frame is a tribute to simplicity as the ultimate refinement, catering to individuals who value timeless elegance with a contemporary edge. Manufactured entirely in Italy at the Look production facility.

December 2024

Kaleos presents Shapes #002, the latest limited edition sunglass model that elevates contemporary eyewear with daring precision and artistry. Made in Japan and available in a limited edition of only 250 pieces worldwide, Shapes #002 sunglasses model with sharp lines and geometric details fully embody Kaleos’ vision of what Kaleos calls ‘The Beautiful Shape’. The all-black design is a nod to the iconic sci-fi cinema of the 1980s, blending futuristic aesthetics with a bold 3D form that blurs the lines between art and function. The new Shapes #002 sunglasses model by Kaleos is an invitation to discover the beauty in sculptural frames, a celebration of innovation for those who want to turn heads with every glance and redefine style. Kaleos’ new limited edition model is now available on the brand’s website.

December 2024