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A$AP Rocky and Ray-Ban Launch the Wayfarer Puffer

ASAP Rocky Ray-Ban June 2025

Ray-Ban and A$AP Rocky officially unveil the Wayfarer Puffer and campaign, the latest evolution of an icon. Bold, sculptural, and unapologetically fresh, this new design reimagines the iconic Wayfarer with Rocky’s disruptive vision—where hip-hop heritage collides with high fashion.

More than just a product drop, the Wayfarer Puffer is a cultural moment, inspired by the world of art, reinventing the iconic silhouette with bold imagination. The campaign blends art, fashion, culture, and the unstoppable vision of A$AP Rocky, shot in Rocky’s hometown of Harlem, NY. He street-cast locals and artists from the neighborhood that raised him with a result that is a raw, elevated portrait of personal style—where every frame tells a story.

Inflated with the artful fantasy of Ray-Ban’s Creative Directory, discover the Wayfarer Puffer by A$AP Rocky for Ray-Ban.

“Introducing my first iteration of the classic Wayfarer style, I present to you the Puffer,” says A$AP Rocky.

WAYFARER PUFFER BLACK

A$AP Rocky’s iconic Wayfarer Puffer in black -where hip-hop heritage meets bold, elevated style. The inflated, puffy frames reimagine the classic silhouette, merging timeless Ray-Ban cool with Rocky’s fearless creativity. Edgy and versatile, this sleek black edition makes an unforgettable statement.

WAYFARER PUFFER BLUE

A$AP Rocky’s Wayfarer Puffer in dark blue is a testament to his effortless fusion of cool and creativity. The puffy frames in a bold blue hue make a fashion- forward statement, while the iconic Wayfarer shape stays true to its roots. A perfect blend of hip-hop heritage and contemporary style, it’s a standout accessory for any scene.

THE BUILDUP: FROM MET GALA TO CANNES

The Wayfarer Puffer made its first dramatic appearance at the 2025 Met Gala where Rocky stunned in a one-of-a-kind edition handcrafted in Italy, featuring an oversized 18kt gold logo, natural diamonds and gemstones, and diamond-set rivets—a custom creation that cemented the Puffer as a new symbol of elevated streetwear.

Later, the style debuted in Europe during the Cannes Film Festival, where Rocky hosted an exclusive yacht party. Worn by tastemakers and artists alike, the Wayfarer Puffer—now in vibrant bold colors like red, white, yellow, and pink—proved it’s not just a statement piece; it’s the must-have frame of the summer.

Rooted in Harlem. Designed for the world.

A$AP Rocky Ray-Ban Puffer - Black

The collection is available for eyecare professionals at my.essilorluxottica.com

Click HERE for the press release.

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SILMO d’Or 2025 – From Couture to Design: Olivier Lapidus to chair the SILMO d’Or 2025

Silmo 2025 THE PLACE TO BE, TO SEE, TO FORESEE
Silmo Paris président 2025 PORTRAIT Olivier Lapidus

This year, SILMO Paris has entrusted the presidency of the SILMO d’Or jury to French designer Olivier Lapidus.

He will bring to this edition a fresh and boundary-pushing perspective, where contemporary design, craftsmanship, and innovation intersect with the world of optics.

His presidency symbolises a desire to open up to new territories in contemporary design. A President with his eyes set on the future.

A journey in creation & innovation

Olivier Lapidus began his career at BALMAIN, before spending several years in Japan. He later became Artistic Director of the eponymous couture house LAPIDUS, then of LANVIN in 2017, before devoting himself fully to design.

More recently, he designed for DIOR a photobiomodulation mask at the crossroads of design, well-being, and technology

Throughout his career, Olivier Lapidus has consistently sought to integrate technological research into the creative process. He has imagined dresses made of optical fibres woven in jacquard with Cédric Brochier, lace with fractal patterns inspired by an exchange with Benoît Mandelbrot, microencapsulated scented textiles using natural coatings, and prints generated from coded musical structures.

These projects were often developed in collaboration with research institutions such as CEA, CNRS, or CEVA, following a transversal approach that bridges artisans, keepers of tradition, and scientific researchers.

From Fashion to Design

Winner of the European “Dé d’Or” for Fashion in 1994 for his autumn-winter Haute Couture collection, Olivier Lapidus embarked in the 2000s on an independent path, at the intersection of fashion, everyday objects, and interior design. In 2013, he designed the FELICIEN Hotel in Paris, an emblematic project blending noble materials, graphic lines, and immersive atmospheres.

His current work reflects a distinctly cross-disciplinary approach, at the intersection of high-tech cosmetics, wellness, and object design. He is now developing a new generation of creations that combine furniture, decoration, and innovation, exploring the boundaries between interior design and contemporary uses. Among his recent projects, the Lounge Bar collection, designed in collaboration with the CAA group, perfectly illustrates this dynamic. Presented this year in the prestigious setting of “Les Places d’Or” at Le Meurice, the collection embodies a unique vision of functional luxury—at once aesthetic, technological, and experiential.

See you from 26 to 29 September, at Paris Nord Villepinte to discover the SILMO d’Or 2025 selection!

Click HERE for the press release.

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Safilo and Carolina Herrera Announce Global Multi-Year Eyewear Licensing Agreement Renewal

Safilo Carolina Herrera logos

Safilo Group and Carolina Herrera, the globally recognized fashion brand, announce the renewal of their global licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing and distribution of Carolina Herrera branded eyewear collections until 2031.

The renewal of the partnership confirms the success of the collaboration, which, since its beginning in 2022, has seen constant growth in brand recognition.

We are pleased to extend our fruitful collaboration with a global womenswear brand such as Carolina Herrera and to continue strengthening its brand identity through distinctive and modern eyewear collections, developed through the synergy between Carolina Herrera’s Creative Director Wes Gordon and Safilo’s design and craftmanship expertise. Looking ahead, our shared vision focuses on expansion in high-potential key markets, product innovation, and a strategic boost to marketing and communication targeting physical points of sale as well as digital channels” – declared Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group.

“We are proud to continue our successful partnership with Safilo organization and reinforce the business momentum with creativity, craft and innovation. Throughout our collaboration, the talented Safilo team has demonstrated their commitment to best-in-class design and product development to beautifully represent the Carolina Herrera brand in eyewear – contributing a key strategic category in our product portfolio” said Emilie Rubinfeld, Carolina Herrera Ltd. President.

Click HERE for the press release.

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Introducing Oakley Meta Glasses: Amplifying Human Potential

OAKLEY META HSTN GROUP SHOT june 2025

Meta and Oakley are teaming up to deliver a brand-new category of Performance AI glasses. ​ 

Oakley Meta glasses are a new product line that will combine Oakley’s signature design DNA with Meta’s industry-leading technology to give you deeper insights into your physical capabilities and help you share your biggest wins—on and off the field. The line will launch in a new global campaign starring Team Oakley athletes: World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. ​ 

“For 50 years, we’ve been pushing the boundaries of what is possible, obsessed with solving unsolved problems,” said Caio Amato, Global President of Oakley. “Together with Meta we are setting new bounds of reality – It is not only about pushing forward performance, but also about amplifying human potential as never before. And this is just the first chapter of a new era for sports.” ​ 

“This marks a bold new chapter in our wearables journey. With Oakley’s iconic design legacy and Meta’s breakthroughs in AI and spatial computing, we’re setting a new standard for the industry,” said Rocco Basilico, Chief Wearables Officer at EssilorLuxottica. “It’s part of a broader multi-brand, multi-technology strategy that reflects the scale of our ambition: to build a connected eyewear category that spans lifestyles, communities, and use cases. We’re combining design, utility, and emotion to deepen human connection and unlock new potential through the lens of every brand we touch. And there is far more to come.” ​ 

Introducing Oakley Meta HSTN  

Our first product for athletes and fans alike, Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn) combines bold aesthetics with cutting-edge tech. Capture the action completely hands-free with the built-in camera and share your unique POV. ​ Get pumped up with your favorite playlist, listen to podcasts, and more, thanks to powerful open-ear speakers seamlessly integrated into the frames. And with an IPX4 water resistance rating, you can push yourself to the outer limits of your potential. ​ ​ 

OAKLEY HSTN CLEAR TRANSITION GREY LENSES 2

“Glasses have emerged as the ideal tool for people to listen to music, capture videos, and get the help of a powerful AI assistant”,said Alex Himel, VP of Wearables at Meta. “We’re proud of the success of Ray-Ban Meta glasses and excited to now expand our work with Oakley, the most iconic eyewear brand in sports innovation. Our teams have been working together for years to understand the unique needs of athletes, and we can’t wait to deliver new experiences that integrate into their everyday life, both on and off the field.” 

Oakley Meta HSTN is taking the game to the next level with features that represent the evolution of AI glasses: ​ ​ ​ ​ 

  • More Battery Stamina: Oakley Meta HSTN will also provide 40% longer battery life, lasting up to eight hours of typical use and up to 19 hours on standby. The glasses also come with a charging case that can deliver up to 48 hours of charging on the go. 
  • Higher Resolution Camera: Oakley Meta HSTN, the first product in the collection, will include key tech improvements, including Ultra HD 3K recording, so videos will be clearer and higher resolution than Full HD (1080p).
  • Meta AI meets Performance AI glasses: With Meta AI, your personal AI assistant, built in, athletes can get more out of their Oakley Meta HSTNs right out of the box. ​ For example, you can level up the competition in a whole new way when playing a round of golf. Need to know how the wind is going to affect your drive? Ask, “Hey Meta, how strong is the wind today?” and channel your inner Team Oakley Athlete J.R. Smith. Or, like Boo Johnson, record epic moments and post to Stories, hands-free, by saying “Hey Meta, take a video.” Get answers to a range of questions, whether you’re improving your game or checking the surf conditions. ​ 

Design Details  

Select pairs of Oakley Meta HSTN glasses come with Oakley® PRIZM™ Lens technology, one of the most advanced innovations in lens design. By decoding how the brain and eye process light, Oakley engineered a way to enhance vision and amplify contrast across changing light and weather conditions. This revolutionary technology fine-tunes the light spectrum, amplifying color while filtering out visual noise. Proprietary PRIZM™ dyes manipulate light at a molecular level, enhancing detail and transforming your surroundings into vivid, high-definition clarity. This allows subtle visual cues to come sharply into view, helping wearers see more, react quicker, and perform at their peak. ​ ​ ​ 

Of course, it’s good to have options. That’s why we’ve put together a lineup of six frame and lens color combos, all Rx-ready so you can pick the perfect pair: 

  • Oakley Meta HSTN Warm Grey with PRIZM™ Ruby Lenses ​ ​ 
  • Oakley Meta HSTN Black with PRIZM™ Polar Black Lenses ​ ​ 
  • Oakley Meta HSTN Brown Smoke with PRIZM™ Polar Deep Water Lenses ​ ​ 
  • Oakley Meta HSTN Black with Transitions Amethyst Lenses ​ ​ 
  • Oakley Meta HSTN Clear with Transitions Grey Lenses ​ ​ 
  • Oakley Meta HSTN Black with Clear Lenses 

We’re kicking off with a Limited Edition Oakley Meta HSTN that honors 50 years of Oakley design, while charging into a new era of innovation, featuring gold accents and gold 24K PRIZM™ Polar lenses. 

Product Availability  

The Limited-Edition Oakley Meta HSTN will be available for preorder starting July 11, with the rest of the collection dropping later this summer. Oakley Meta HSTN will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. ​ We’re also working to bring Oakley Meta HSTN to Mexico, India, and UAE later this year.

Get a first glimpse of Oakley Meta HSTN in a global campaign featuring elite athletes from Team Oakley and beyond—from Gabriel Medina checking out the surf before carving lines, to athlete J.R. Smith judging the wind on the golf course, Ishod Wair and Boo Johnson skating different spots and capturing it all, and Bicho Carrera operating on another altitude. The next evolution of AI glasses will also debut at marquee sporting events, starting with Fanatics Fest June 20 – 22, followed by UFC International Fight Week, June 25 – 27, with more to come this year. ​ ​ 

OAKLEY META HSTN LIMITED EDITION
OAKLEY META HSTN LIMITED EDITION

Learn more about Oakley Meta HSTN and sign up to be among the first to know about availability on Oakley.com and Meta.com 

Peak Performance  

Oakley Meta glasses are the latest chapter of a multi-year partnership between Meta and EssilorLuxottica. Meta and Oakley’s work is rooted in years of joint development, ground-up engineering, and an understanding of what drives athletes. We can’t wait to see how they change the game.

Click HERE for the press release.

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Vision Expo to Transition to Single Annual Event Beginning in 2026

Vision Expo new logo

Vision Expo, the leading trade event for the optical industry, produced by The Vision Council and RX, announces a strategic evolution that will reshape the future of eyecare and eyewear in the Americas. Beginning March 2026, Vision Expo will unify into a single, annual event, starting in Orlando, FL and rotating through major US cities.

The unified Vision Expo will bring together the entire optical community once a year, beginning with Orlando in 2026, followed by Las Vegas in 2027 and New York in 2028. The 2029 location will be announced at a later date. Vision Expo West in Las Vegas will take place September 17-20, 2025. 

The move comes in response to extensive feedback from exhibitors, attendees, industry partners, and board members, and positions Vision Expo as the definitive hub for product discovery, education, innovation, and connection.

“Vision Expo was created to serve the industry, and this move reflects a strategic investment in its future,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “By uniting the industry in one powerful annual moment, we create space for greater innovation, stronger partnerships, and long-term growth.”

The new Vision Expo format is set to deliver an experience that maximizes value, streamlines participation and reflects the dynamic needs of a changing marketplace while expanding the show’s overall impact.

Key objectives of the new format include:

  • A more robust experience with expanded technology showcases, immersive activations, focused education and enhanced networking
  • Simplified event planning for companies and attendees in a crowded industry events calendar
  • One comprehensive event for the optical community in eyewear, vision care and technology to meet, learn and do business
  • Strategic timing in March, aligned with product launches, continuing education credit cycles and key buying seasons
  • A rotating host city model in top business travel destinations that provide regional access, fresh experiences and global appeal
  • Room to grow into new categories while maintaining the show’s position as the leading optical event in the Americas
  • “Focusing our efforts into one major U.S. event allows us to go bigger, stand out more, and deliver a stronger overall experience,” says Jamie Shyer, co-CEO/COO of Zyloware. “It’s the right move for the industry, giving both exhibitors and attendees more value through greater visibility, focus, and impact.”
  • “As a long-time attendee, the industry event calendar can be overwhelming and choices need to be made based on how to best meet our growing business needs,” said attendee Mollie Tavel Kaback, Vice President of Dr. Tavel, & Founder of Alternate View. “A bigger, better, single Vision Expo event means we can show up, accomplish everything we need to do in one place, and leave energized for the future.” 
  • “By concentrating resources to produce one yearly show, Vision Expo strengthens its position as the can’t-miss optical event in North America,” said April Stackhouse, Event Vice President, RX. “Participation is easier than ever, and the show will be better than ever – we are investing in immersive experiences, curated programming and exclusive opportunities for product launch and new business that can’t be found anywhere else.”

Future Show Dates and Locations :

  • Vision Expo 2026: March 12–14, Orlando, Florida – Orange County Convention Center
  • Vision Expo 2027: March 11–13, Las Vegas, Nevada – The Venetian Expo
  • Vision Expo 2028: March 30–April 1, New York, New York – The Javits Center

Vision Expo will continue to offer top-tier accredited education, networking and product discovery, now more valuable and impactful than ever before.

For updates and more information regarding the future Vision Expo, visit www.visionexpo.com

Click HERE for the press release.

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