By Shan Khan, R.O
There’s something magnetic about men’s eyewear right now. Frames are no longer just the last item you pick up after choosing your shirt and shoes. They’ve become an essential part of a man’s style story—an accessory that speaks without words.
And what a privilege it is to hear directly from the people shaping that story. I’m honoured to share the voices of five incredible designers who are pushing men’s eyewear into exciting new territory: Howard K., Daniel Laoun, Susi Tabacchi, David Duralde, and Mehran Baghaie. Each brings a unique vision, but together they show us how creativity, restraint, and boldness collide in the world of men’s frames.
This year, expect colour. Expect texture. Expect the unexpected. From translucent acetates and earthy tortoises to mirrored blues and brushed titanium, men’s eyewear has never been more exciting—or more personal.
Howard K.: The Beauty of Quiet Details
Howard K. is the kind of designer who doesn’t follow fashion runways—he follows people. “I look at men around me and conceptualize how I would curate their look if I had no design boundaries,” he says. That real-world inspiration results in frames that feel effortlessly versatile: comfortable for the workday, yet still stylish when the evening calls for something sharper
Acetate is his playground for texture, titanium his tool for strength and lightness. His secret? Quiet details. Etched patterns, unexpected finishes, and subtle architectural cues that whisper rather than shout. “Form and function are always at the core of what we do. But uniqueness is what invites someone to pick it up, to try it on, to make it theirs.”
This year, Howard’s restrained designs pair perfectly with the trend toward earthy warmth—think smoky ambers, muted greens, and textured tortoises that look classic at first glance, but reward a closer look.
Susi Tabacchi: Italian Refinement
From Italy, Susi Tabacchi brings us designs with a soul. Inspiration comes not from trend reports, but from life itself—travels, moments, even sudden epiphanies. “The best ideas often come from everyday life, real places, and concrete experiences,” she says.
For men, Susi believes in the power of simplicity. “Less is more” is her mantra, but don’t mistake that for plain. Faceted acetates, jewellery-inspired finishes, and refined overlays give her frames a subtle wow factor. The I-Man collection, in particular, strikes that balance men crave: youthful energy paired with timeless sophistication.
Her colour story this year leans warm and approachable: tortoises with golden undertones, smoked greys touched with amber, and polished blacks given life with metallic details. These are frames designed for men who want to look modern without ever looking like they’re trying too hard
David Duralde: Designing Desire
Few people understand the emotional side of eyewear like David Duralde. As chief creative officer for OGI Eyewear and several other collections, he sees his role as anticipating what men will want next. “Good design is measured by the emotion it sparks,” he says. “If a man puts on a frame, looks in the mirror, and sees himself as more confident—that’s when I know the idea works.”
David doesn’t chase trends. Instead, he studies design fields that share longevity with eyewear—architecture, cars, furniture, jewellery. His frames are timeless by design, created to outlast the fast fashion cycle and live in a man’s wardrobe for years.
This year, that means neutrals with a twist: matte textures, transparent fades, and mixed materials that feel sleek without being sterile. Comfort is always baked in, but the emphasis is on originality that feels effortless. “Balance is everything,” he insists. “Style, comfort, and function must coexist without compromise.”
Daniel Laoun: Reinventing the Familiar
Daniel Laoun’s journey with Glossi almost didn’t happen. “I never thought of myself as a creative person,” he admits. “It was either step in or let the collection go.” What started as necessity has blossomed into a career-defining exploration of colour, material, and imagination.
Glossi’s nylon is Daniel’s canvas, and it’s unlike anything else in the market. Light as air, unbelievably durable, and bursting with mirrored colours, it lets him take classic men’s shapes and flip the script. “The same design can feel understated on one man and bold on another,” he explains.
This season, Daniel leans into translucent layers—frames that glow with personality without ever feeling too loud. Mirrored sapphire, smoky bronze, and fiery copper transform everyday eyewear into something that turns heads. But it’s not just about looks: every Glossi frame is feather-light, adjustable, and easy to wear. “For me, true success is when a frame looks great, feels great, and is practical to work with from start to finish.”
Mehran Baghaie: Subdued Creativity
If Howard is about details and Daniel about reinvention, Mehran Baghaie is about honesty. Designing for men, he says, is harder than designing for women. “Your creativity needs to be held in check,” he admits. Too much risk, and the frames veer into a space men won’t touch.
His answer is what he calls subdued creativity. He builds with block titanium—strong, bold, yet surprisingly light—and avoids the traps of overdesign. “I don’t try to resonate. I just design, and if it connects with a smaller group of men, that’s fine by me.”
This season, Mehran’s frames are unapologetically masculine: brushed metallics, deep graphite, and midnight blues with proportions that flatter longer faces. “A frame is a foreign object on your face,” he says, “so if you can reduce the weight of it, you’ve already moved toward comfort.” It’s a philosophy as pragmatic as it is personal.
Men’s Eyewear 2025: What’s In
So, what are the threads that tie all of this together? The men standing in front of the mirror in 2025 are looking for eyewear that feels personal, modern, and comfortable. The designers delivering it are giving them:
- Colours with character – earthy tortoise, translucent amber, forest greens, mirrored blues, and brushed gunmetal.
- Textures that surprise – faceted acetates, etched titanium, and layered constructions.
- Shapes that last – clean lines, generous B-box depths, slim temples, and easy-to-fit bridges.
- Materials that matter – feather-light nylon, block titanium, and bold acetates.
- Comfort without compromise – adjustable temples, light engineering, and subtle detailing that keeps frames wearable all day.
What strikes me most from speaking with these five designers is the balance each one seeks between expression and wearability. They are not creating frames just to be seen in magazines—they are creating frames to be lived in.
Howard gives us quiet strength. Daniel, playful reinvention. Susi, Italian refinement. David, timeless desire. Mehran, subdued creativity. Each voice is distinct, yet together they form the chorus of modern men’s eyewear.
And as men continue to embrace eyewear as a defining part of their identity, it’s exciting—truly exciting—to see these designers leading the way. Eyewear today is not about hiding behind lenses. It’s about being seen, fully and confidently, through the frames that reflect who you are.
Designers Say…
Howard K.
“Form and function are always at the core of what we do. But uniqueness is what invites someone to make it theirs.”
Daniel Laoun
“The same design can feel understated on one man and bold on another.”
Susi Tabacchi
“The best ideas often come from everyday life, real places, and concrete experiences.”
David Duralde
“Good design is measured by the emotion it sparks.”
Mehran Baghaie
“Subdued creativity—that’s the secret to designing for men.”
About the Author:
Shan Khan, R.O
Shan Khan, is an optician and educator passionate about advancing eye care and eyewear awareness in Canada. As Editor-in-Chief of Optik Magazine, she brings a keen industry perspective and a commitment to spotlighting innovation, style, and professionalism across the optical landscape.
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