Blog

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025

Three Weeks Until MIDO 2025: Featuring Business, Innovation, Training and Sustainability

In less than three weeks, MIDO 2025 will open the doors of Fiera Milano Rho to welcome more than 1,200 exhibitors from 50+ countries, including Italy, Germany, France, UK, Spain, USA, Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, as well as India, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Brazil and Ukraine.

Compared to the previous edition, the organizers have staged approximately 1,000 additional square meters in the 7 pavilions of Fiera Milano Rho to ensure everyone has the space required to showcase their collections and innovations to their best advantage. Specifically, pavilion 6 has been expanded to host the Academy, Start-Up and MIDO Tech areas, as well as a new green-inspired installation designed to reflect the unmistakable style of typical Italian villages.

Pavilions 2 and 4, the domain of Design and Design Tech, also gained more space for innovations and the avant-garde. The other pavilions also underwent renovations to installations and layout: pavilion 1, with its Fashion District, empire of fashion and luxury, whose piazza will host the MIDO Awards ceremony (to be held Saturday, February 8 at 5pm); pavilion 3, land of lenses, from technology to innovation; and pavilions 5 and 7 that host FAiR EAST, showcasing the large and small companies in the Asian business arena.

Entirely revamped, including its name, is The Vision Stage, meeting hub for eyewear professionals, innovators and visionaries. It offers a dense calendar of conferences, panels and workshops that range from global trends to Made in Italy, sustainability to technological innovations.

Among the hottest events, Saturday, February 8, two meetings focused on trends: at 11am, journalist Alessandra Albarello will speak on 2025 Trends, while at noon, colour designer Francesca Valan will hold a session on The new dimensions of Colour. Then, at 1:30pm,a press conference with presentation of The Lens of Time, an ANFAO project celebrating the connection between innovation and tradition, with an exclusive exhibit at the historic Palazzo Flangini in Venice. At 4pm, the plenary room will host Breaking Optical Barriers: Women Who Conquered the Climb to Success, a topical event organized by OWA, the Optical Women’s Association, and promoted by MIDO on the contributions of women in the optical industry.

Many events scheduled for Sunday, February 9, beginning with an 11am meeting, OOPS, I said it again, on the topic of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, organized byANFAO. Guest of honour is actor and author Paolo Ruffini, who will guide us through the world of inclusive language with humour and engagement. At 1pm, WGSN, global leader in trend analysis, will present Future Consumer 2026, an analysis of the four consumer profiles that will define 2026. At 3pm, the Sport and Vision event: the importance of visual health in the practice of sports promoted by the Eyecare Commission, will bring to MIDO another honored guest: former soccer player Alessandro (Billy) Costacurta, who will speak about the role of vision in sports.

Among the most eagerly awaited moments, on Sunday at 4pm, presentation of the market research data by Optical Monitor, developed by GFK for MIDO. This event provides an exclusive look at consumer trends in key eyewear markets (Italy, France, Germany and the United States), delivering insights crucial to understanding global market needs and planning successful strategies. Sunday’s events at The Vision Stage will conclude at 5pm with Shared visions: projects and prospects for integration between the optical and medical areas, organized by Fabiano Gruppo Editoriale in partnership with ANFAO, the ANFAO Lens Group, Federottica and MIDO. The aim of the meeting is to promote ongoing dialog between the actors in the optical supply chain and the medical-ophthalmological area, with an eye to the future, while maintaining a healthy respect for their respective professional roles.

Monday 10th, of special interest, the 11am appointment curated by ANFAO on Sustainability, with Anna Zandanel who will analyze the role of ESG criteria in the eyewear industry; and, at noon, a presentation of STEPIC Innovations 2026 on the 12 trends that will reshape the world in 2026 in terms of society, technology, environment, politics, industry and creativity, produced by WGSN.

All of the events promoted by ANFAO will be presented and moderated by Marialuisa Pezzali, author and host of “Essere e Avere”, the Radio24 magazine on consumption and the latest trends.

The Vision Stage will also host presentations and conferences curated by leading companies, publishers and trade associations. These meetings will provide industry professionals with a complete, detailed panorama of the innovations, challenges and opportunities of the optical industry. The complete calendar is available starting today on the MIDO website https://www.mido.com/en/.

MIDO is held at Fiera Milano Rho, Strada Statale del Sempione 28, from February 8 to 10 with the following hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm and Monday 9am to 6pm.

To always be up to date on MIDO news, visit the website https://www.mido.com/en/ and the official social channels Instagram @mido_exhibition, Facebook @MIDOExhibition, X @MIDOExhibition and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mido/posts/.

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025

Safilo and Under Armour Announce Renewal of Global Eyewear Licensing Agreement

Safilo and Under Armour – a leading inventor, marketer and distributor of branded athletic performance apparel, footwear and accessories – announce the renewal of their global licensing agreement for Under Armour branded eyewear until 2031.

Under Armour and Safilo eyewear agreement image

Through the renewed agreement, the companies will offer lightweight, versatile eyewear solutions – both sunwear and prescription – that support athletes on and off the field with stylish designs that maximize comfort and fit, eliminate distractions and improve visibility.

“We are enthusiastic about extending our successful partnership started in 2020 with Under Armour. Their vision of innovation, quality and performance perfectly match our strategy. Safilo will keep on investing in design and technology to create products that empower athletes and consumers in their everyday life. We are thrilled to continue this journey, leveraging on Under Armour’s growing consumer base in North America and in the rest of the world.”

Vladimiro Baldin, Chief Licensed Brand & Global Product Officer, Safilo Group

Under Armour and Safilo eyewear agreement mage of a woman wearing a sports sunglasse frame

“As Under Armour works to infuse the best of design and innovation across our product categories, we look forward to continuing to partner with Safilo on high quality eyewear for athletes and consumers around the world,” said Yassine Saidi, Chief Product Officer for Under Armour. “An eyewear industry leader, Safilo shares our brand’s commitment to executing intentional, quality designs that combine style, versatility and performance. Together, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what eyewear can achieve.”

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025

Marcolin: Marco D’Acunzo Appointed New CEO of North America

Marcolin announces the appointment of Marco D’Acunzo as the new CEO of North America starting January 8, 2025. At Marcolin, Marco will be directly reporting to CEO & General Manager Fabrizio Curci and will oversee the Group’s North American market.

Marco D’Acunzo CEO of Marcolin North America

Marco is a senior executive with more than 15 years of experience with premium brands in the automotive, sport and hospitality industries and brings extensive knowledge in sales, marketing and business strategy.

In his new role at Marcolin, Marco will be tasked to sustain the consolidation of a strategic region for Marcolin while launching new licensed brands in 2025 including Christian Louboutin, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister.

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

January 16, 2025January 22, 2025

WestGroupe Signs North American Distribution Agreement with IndependentEyewear Brand Sunday Somewhere

Sunday Somewhere, renowned for its bold, oversized 70s-inspired eyewear, has partnered with WestGroupe to expand distribution across the USA and Canada. As a leading optical distributor, WestGroupe will now represent Sunday Somewhere’s eyewear and sun collections, bringing the brand’s distinctive style to a wider North American audience.

“We are excited to partner with WestGroupe as we expand our presence in the U.S. and Canada. WestGroupe’s extensive distribution network and deep understanding of the North American optical market make them the ideal partner to bring Sunday Somewhere’s bold and fashion forward optical collection to discerning customers across North America. Their expertise and dedication to quality and service align perfectly with our brand values, and we are confident that this partnership will allow us to connect with even more eyewear enthusiasts who appreciate the blend of creativity and craftsmanship that defines Sunday Somewhere.”

Nicholas Dellaportas, Managing Director, Sunday Somewhere

“We fell in love with the Sunday Somewhere collection as soon as we saw it,’’ said Beverly Suliteanu, VP of Product Development at WestGroupe. “Sunday Somewhere elevates the bold, expressive spirit of iconic 70’s design with quality material and craftsmanship. It is the perfect brand to distribute alongside Nano Vista and ALLSAINTS in our newly launched division.”

The launch collection, consisting of 18 ladies styles, featuring Italian Mazzucchelli acetate and titanium, will continue to embody the brand’s signature look- offering wearers a unique blend of vintage inspired fashion with modern sophistication.

The Sunday Somewhere optical collection will be available in Canada starting February 2025 with the USA to follow in April 2025. A planned Sunwear release is slated for 2026.

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025

Advancing Eye Care in Atlantic Canada

The University of New Brunswick and the University of Waterloo are partnering with the intention of establishing a school of optometry in Saint John to serve Atlantic Canada. The two universities have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore this vision.

The University of Waterloo is currently home to the only English-language school of optometry in Canada. There is a French-language school at the Université de Montréal, but Atlantic and Western Canadians must travel to Ontario, Quebec or abroad to study – which presents barriers for many qualified candidates.

Doctor of Optometry take a leading role in eye and vision care as well as general patient health and well-being. As primary health-care providers, optometrists have extensive expertise in examining, diagnosing, treating and managing ocular disorders, diseases and injuries and systemic diseases that manifest in the eye.

There is a pressing need for better access to eye and vision care in underserved areas. Ocular and systemic diseases – such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, hypertension and diabetes – are prevalent in rural and Indigenous communities, with more patients suffering preventable vision loss than in urban Canada.

The memorandum of understanding between the two universities emphasizes the goal of increasing the supply of optometrists to the Atlantic region, particularly rural and Indigenous communities. The partners aim to improve access to optometric education for qualified applicants from these communities.

“We’re delighted to partner with the University of New Brunswick on expanding access to optometric education in Atlantic Canada. We believe a strategic partnership between our school and an institution with similar aims and values will be a strong foundation for success.”

Dr. Stanley Woo, director, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science

The School of Optometry and Vision Science has roots more than 100 years old and has been located at the University of Waterloo since 1967. It ranks third in North America –fifth in the world – in research impact for schools of optometry. The School strives to be a national resource, working with stakeholders including optometric associations and colleges, the public, industry and government. It is in the process of building the Waterloo Eye Institute, a major expansion and renovation of its clinical space, that will also allow it to increase enrolment at its Waterloo campus.

“This collaboration exemplifies the transformative potential of our Integrated Health Initiative,” said Dr. Petra Hauf, Provost and Vice President Academic at UNB. “Partnerships like this enable us to expand health education and services, creating meaningful impact for our communities.”

The University of New Brunswick, the oldest English-language university in Canada, has two main campuses in Saint John and Fredericton. The Integrated Health Initiative, located on UNB’s Saint John campus, seamlessly converges interdisciplinary health education, cutting-edge research and ground-breaking innovation, providing a strong community base to support optometric education.

The emerging partnership between the University of Waterloo and the University of New Brunswick is endorsed by the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists (NBAO).

“New Brunswick’s optometrists are delighted to support the development of a school of optometry in Saint John,” said Dr. Brian Dalrymple, president of the NBAO. “We’re confident this partnership will ultimately result in better eye and vision care for Atlantic Canadians.”

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!