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September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

IEE Paris 2026 Showcases Italian Eyewear Excellence

Twenty‑six Italian eyewear companies will take center stage at IEE Paris | Italian Eyewear Exhibition, an initiative organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) with the support of ANFAO, the Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers’ Association. The event returns on September 24, 2026, at Pavillon Cambon Capucines, following the success of last year’s inaugural edition at the George V in Paris.

IEE Paris reaffirms its role as a key platform for promoting the excellence of Made in Italy eyewear, celebrated for its blend of creativity, artisanal tradition and industrial innovation. The exhibition highlights the heritage of expertise and quality that has positioned Italy as a global benchmark in the eyewear sector.

A strategic initiative led by ANFAO

Through this event, ANFAO strengthens its commitment to supporting Italian manufacturers in their growth and internationalization strategies. “The Italian Eyewear Exhibition is an important opportunity to illustrate the value, prestige and distinctive quality of Italian eyewear in a strategic market such as France,” stated Lorraine Berton, President of ANFAO. She emphasized the association’s ongoing investment in initiatives that enhance competitiveness and highlight Italy’s legacy of creativity, quality and innovation.

Italy’s global leadership in eyewear

Italy remains a world leader in high‑end eyewear production, with 800 companies, 22,800 employees, and a production value of €5.64 billion. Nearly 90% of Italian eyewear production is exported, and Italy manufactures more than half of the licensed collections distributed worldwide. France stands as Italy’s largest European market and the second‑largest export market globally, underscoring the strong economic ties between the two countries.

An immersive Made in Italy experience

Beginning at 3 pm, buyers will meet the 26 participating manufacturers and preview their latest optical and sun collections. The evening will continue with a cocktail dinner from 7 pm, offering networking opportunities and trend‑focused experiences in an elegant setting. The initiative also reinforces the strategic partnership between ITA and ANFAO, renewed annually through major industry events such as MIDO | Milano Eyewear Show, scheduled for February 6–8, 2027.

Event details

IEE Paris 2026 Thursday, September 24 — from 3 pm Pavillon Cambon Capucines 46, rue Cambon, 75001 Paris Admission by invitation only.

Source: ANFAO / Italian Trade Agency

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September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

ic! berlin Launches First Campaign Featuring Audi Revolut F1® Team

ic! berlin has unveiled its first campaign featuring Audi Revolut F1® Team drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, who appear wearing customized ic! berlin frames. The campaign marks the brand’s first global activation since announcing its partnership with the team earlier this year, making ic! berlin the official eyewear partner of Audi Revolut F1® Team.

F1_ic! berlin_campaign_RYAN_GABRIEL_RACING_EDITION

The collaboration brings together two worlds where form and function are inseparable. In Formula 1, performance extends beyond the car to include focus, precision and confidence — qualities that mirror ic! berlin’s approach to product design. The campaign tagline, “From 0.05 mm to 300 km/h: engineering performance and precision at speed,” underscores the shared philosophy between ic! berlin’s ultra‑light, flexible frames and the Audi R26 race car, engineered for agility, aerodynamics and reduced weight.

For more than 30 years, ic! berlin has built a reputation for engineered eyewear, defined by its screwless hinge, durability, comfort and contemporary aesthetic.

Shot by photographer Rupert Tapper, the campaign imagery captures movement and physicality, reflecting the intensity of the racetrack. Creative Direction by Leif Podhajsky uses motion blur to visually express acceleration and precision, echoing the fast‑paced world of Formula 1.

ic!_berlin_AUDI F1_Ryan_Gabriel_Racing Edition_blur

The campaign invites audiences to experience one of the world’s most demanding motorsports through the lens of ic! berlin — where precision engineering meets uncompromising performance.

This season, ic! berlin joins Audi Revolut F1® Team trackside at Monza (Italy), Marina Bay (Singapore) and Austin (Texas).

By offering brand ambassadors and select media an immersive experience at the pinnacle of motorsport, ic! berlin reinforces its position as a leader in precision‑engineered eyewear.

Source: ic! Berlin

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September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

Blackfin Creates Limited‑Edition Sunglasses for the David Foster Foundation’s 40th Anniversary

40th anniversary David Foster Foundation Blackfin Sept 2026

Blackfin marked a major philanthropic milestone this September as the Italian titanium eyewear brand sponsored the 40th‑anniversary celebrations of the David Foster Foundation in Victoria, British Columbia.

To commemorate the occasion, the Foundation selected Blackfin to design a special limited‑edition series of titanium sunglasses, presented as the official gift to guests attending the exclusive anniversary events.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to excellence, social responsibility and people‑focused values. Blackfin’s long‑standing dedication to community initiatives—also demonstrated through its support of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation—aligns closely with the mission of the David Foster Foundation.

Founded in 1986 by David Foster, the 16‑time Grammy Award‑winning composer and producer, the Foundation provides essential financial support to families of children requiring life‑saving organ transplants. By covering non‑medical and logistical expenses, it has supported more than 1,600 families over four decades.

David Foster Foundation 40th Anniversary

David Foster Foundation 40th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

Victoria hosted a three‑day celebration featuring an exceptional roster of international guests. Among the attendees were Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Bill Gates. The weekend included performances by Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Chad Kroeger (Nickelback), Josh Groban, CeeLo Green, and vocalists Katharine McPhee, Loren Allred, Sheléa, The Tenors, Pia Toscano, Daniel Emmet and Sydnie Christmas, with appearances from Melissa Peterman and Erich Bergen.

The program opened with a welcome dinner at Government House, followed by a flagship charity gala that united supported families, donors and international guests in a major fundraising effort. The celebrations concluded with a spectacular public concert at Victoria’s Inner Harbour, drawing over 60,000 attendees for an unforgettable night of music and community.

“We are deeply honored that Blackfin was chosen to celebrate such a significant anniversary for the David Foster Foundation,” said Nicola Del Din, CEO of Blackfin. “This collaboration is born from a true alignment of values. For Blackfin, social commitment is integral to how we do business, alongside our pursuit of quality and excellence.”

Blackfin is distributed in Canada by Mood Eyewear.

Source: Blackfin

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September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

MIDO 2027 Unveils Eyewearland Milano as Its New Identity

MIDO has introduced Eyewearland Milano, the new payoff that completes the evolution of the show’s identity following the launch of the Welcome to Eyewearland communication campaign. This marks a significant shift in how MIDO presents itself, reinforcing its role not just as a trade show, but as a comprehensive ecosystem representing the entire eyewear supply chain.

Eyewearland Milano reflects the idea of a place where business, innovation, creativity, research, manufacturing, distribution and education converge. MIDO remains the only global event that brings together all key industry players: frame and lens manufacturers, machinery and raw materials suppliers, major multinationals, emerging designers, start‑ups and accessory companies.

From February 6 to 8, 2027, Eyewearland will once again take shape at Fiera Milano Rho, hosting 1,200 exhibitors and welcoming visitors from more than 160 countries. The show features 8 exhibition areas across 7 halls, each dedicated to a specific segment of the supply chain. Layouts are redesigned every year to improve functionality and introduce new display concepts.

The 2027 edition coincides with the start of Chinese New Year on February 6. To mark the occasion, MIDO has arranged special travel offers for visitors and exhibitors from Wenzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai, complementing existing travel deals for attendees from the United States, Canada and Latin America. Additional initiatives will be announced in the coming months.

Online registration for visitors and journalists opens September 25 on the official MIDO website.

Source: MIDO

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September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

CLI Releases 12‑Part Video Series on Contact Lens Profitability

The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) has released a new 12‑part video series, Profitability Perspectives with Professors Jones, Morgan & Morgan, now available on YouTube. Each segment, under one minute, breaks down findings from CLI’s recent U.S. study showing that soft contact lens patients generate 29% to 86% more annual profitability for practices compared to equivalent glasses‑only patients.

The videos were filmed during the International Society for Contact Lens Research symposium and feature three of the study’s investigators: Professor Philip Morgan, Professor Lyndon Jones, and Professor Ash Morgan. Topics include lifetime patient value, secondary sales, contact lens dropout, patient retention, and strategies to maximize dual wear (contact lenses + glasses).

CLI says additional insights and practical guidance will be released later this month at the American Academy of Optometry 2026 Annual Meeting, as part of a detailed See Tomorrow report.

The full video series is available: