Olive (SS2060) sets the tone for Sunday Somewhere’s sun debut with a bold, oversized flat-top aviator crafted in premium acetate. Most striking in Burgundy Blue, its warm-tinted lenses and vibrant two-tone colourplay create a statementmaking look.
The palette extends to Teal and Black, each finished with the brand’s signature palm-tree logo on the end cap, 5-barrel rivet hinge, and temple tips for elevated craftsmanship.
Established in 1961, WestGroupe is family operated with over 60 years of industry insight. Our mission has always been to provide unique and superior quality eyewear for the fashion-focused consumer. We are driven by our customer commitment to excellent service and exceptional product. WestGroupe is dedicated to defining future standards in the optical business by developing, creating, and supporting innovative products and services that allows our customers to succeed. WestGroupe offers a premium selection of globally recognized proprietary eyewear brands including KLiiK denmark, FYSH, EVATIK, Superflex® and OTP.
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The 54th edition of MIDO | Milano Eyewear Show concluded on February 4 in Milan, confirming its role as a central meeting point for the global eyewear industry. Despite ongoing economic and geopolitical pressures, and the proximity of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, organizers reported attendance and exhibitor figures in line with the previous edition.
According to MIDO, the 2026 show welcomed approximately 42,000 visitors from more than 160 countries, alongside 1,200 exhibitors across 7 halls and 8 exhibition areas. International participation remained strong, with notable attendance from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Participation from North America was reported as stable, while Italian attendance declined slightly, reflecting broader domestic economic conditions.
“MIDO once again demonstrated the vitality of our industry,” said Lorraine Berton, President of MIDO and ANFAO, in a post-show statement. She highlighted the show’s dual role as both a business-focused trade event and a cultural and educational platform addressing broader global themes impacting the eyewear sector.
Innovation and technology remained central themes at MIDO 2026. Exhibitors presented lightweight and high-performance frames, sustainable materials, and increased integration of artificial intelligence in design, customization and vision comfort. From a stylistic perspective, collections balanced minimalism and experimentation, with renewed interpretations of classic shapes alongside contemporary colour palettes and textures.
The Vision Stage programme continued to draw strong engagement, with 40 sessions streamed in English and Italian, covering topics ranging from geopolitics and economics to sustainability, inclusion and eye health. The event also expanded its digital footprint, reaching more than 3.5 million users across platforms during the three-day show.
MIDO 2026 also underscored its institutional relevance, with participation from Italian government and industry leaders, and the launch of the “Casa del Made in Italy,” an initiative aimed at supporting internationalization and development across Italy’s industrial supply chains.
Organizers confirmed that planning is already underway for the next edition. MIDO 2027 is scheduled to take place February 6–8, 2027, at Fiera Milano Rho.
Recently Dr. Roxanne Arnal, CFP®, CLU® spoke with Kelsey Gagnon, Associate Director, Advancement, School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of Waterloo about the Waterloo Eye Institute capital campaign and the ongoing needs of students. In the following interview, learn more about the numerous benefits of charitable giving and the tax advantages available to donors.
Roxanne: Kelsey, thanks for joining me today. Charitable giving is something close to both our hearts, and I know the Waterloo Eye Institute capital campaign is a big focus right now. Can you tell us a bit about the current needs?
Kelsey: Absolutely, Roxanne! The Waterloo Eye Institute is a transformative project for the profession. We’re not only building infrastructure to support students, research and patient care but we are creating a national centre of excellence. Fundraising is ongoing, and contributions, especially from alumni, can leave a lasting legacy well beyond graduation.
Roxanne: That’s powerful. Let’s talk about how people can give. Most of us are familiar with writing a cheque or donating online. What’s the process like at Waterloo?
Kelsey: It’s very straightforward. You can donate online, even using a QR code for convenience. And if you’re donating through a corporation, it’s even more efficient; those donations can be made with pre-tax dollars, which often allows donors to give more. If you prefer to give by cheque, you can contact me directly to receive our mailing address.
Roxanne: Right, and from a tax perspective, both personal and corporate donations come with a charitable donation receipt, which can be used to reduce your income tax. It’s a simple way to make a meaningful impact while being tax conscious.
Donating Securities: A Smart Strategy
Kelsey: I’ve also had donors ask about giving through securities. Can you explain how that works?
Roxanne: Definitely. Donating publicly traded securities, like stocks or mutual funds, is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. You get two major tax benefits:
A donation receipt for the full market value of the securities.
And you avoid paying capital gains tax on any appreciation.
So, if your investments have grown significantly, donating them directly can really supersize your gift without having to use post taxed income.
Kelsey: That’s great to know! We do accept securities at the University of Waterloo, and donors can reach out to me for a gift of securities form. Once it’s filled out, they just take it to their financial advisor to process the transfer.
Life Insurance: Giving Beyond Your Lifetime
Kelsey: What about life insurance? I’ve heard it can be used for charitable giving too.
Roxanne: Yes, and it’s often overlooked. If you have a policy, you no longer need for its original purpose, it can be repurposed to support a cause you care about. There are three main ways that life insurance can be used in giving:
Name a charity as the beneficiary: the charity receives the death benefit, and your estate gets a donation receipt for the full value.
Transfer ownership of an existing policy: you get a tax receipt for the policy’s fair market value and ongoing receipts for any future premium payments you make.
Buy a new policy for charity: you receive donation receipts for every premium payment, which helps reduce your annual tax bill.
Kelsey: Some donors want to give but aren’t ready to decide where the funds should go. What’s your take on Donor-Advised Funds?
Roxanne: Donor-Advised Funds, or DAFs, are perfect for that. You get an immediate tax deduction when you contribute, and the funds can be distributed to charities over time. Plus, if you donate appreciated investments to a DAF, you avoid capital gains tax just like with direct donations.
And here’s the bonus: the money in the DAF grows tax-free, which means your future gifts can be even larger. It’s also a great way to involve your family in philanthropy and simplify your giving with just one account and one receipt.
Final Thoughts
Kelsey: Roxanne, thanks for allowing me the opportunity to discuss the many ways alumni, and others, can donate and how taxation plays a role in enhancing the benefits one gets from charitable giving. It’s clear that giving isn’t just about generosity, it’s also about strategy.
Roxanne: Exactly. Whether it’s cash, securities, life insurance, or a DAF, there are smart ways to give that can also align with your financial goals. A little planning with your advisor can go a long way in maximizing both your impact and your tax benefits.
If anyone wants to learn more about giving to the University of Waterloo,School of Optometry & Vision Science, you can reach out to Kelsey at 519-502-3131 or kelsey.gagnon@uwaterloo.ca. And don’t forget to mention any special dedications or class group contributions!
About the Author:
Dr. Roxanne Arnal, CFP®, CLU®
Roxanne Arnal is a Certified Financial Planner®, Chartered Life Underwriter®, former Optometrist, Professional Corporation President, and practice owner. She is dedicated to empowering individuals and their wealth by helping them make smart financial decisions that bring more joy to their lives. This article is for information purposes only and is not a replacement for personalized financial planning. Errors and Omissions exempt.
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In early February, MIDO once again served as a global platform for emerging design talent, as the Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award 2026 was presented on the Vision Stage in Milan.
Held in the lead-up to Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics, the award ceremony brought together students, educators, industry leaders, and international media to showcase sports-inspired eyewear concepts developed by design students from Italy, Germany, and the United States. This year’s brief challenged participants to explore the intersection of sport, movement, performance, and design, reflecting both the cultural moment and the evolving role of technical innovation in eyewear.
Founded by Harvey Ross and supported by MIDO, the Viva Ross Family Foundation, and the Cereda Family, the award was created to preserve and extend the design philosophy of the late Sergio Cereda, whose work was widely recognized for bridging creative vision with real-world manufacturing expertise.
Award Recipients and Finalists
The 2026 Grand Prize was awarded to Giada Tosana of LABA | Libera Accademia di Belle Arti di Brescia, followed by Elisa Albertini (second prize) from the same institution, and Mahra Mustafa of Istituto Marangoni Milano (third prize). Two Special Recognition Awards were also presented to Megan Broad Merkel (Savannah College of Art and Design, USA) and Alessio Accardi (IED Torino), selected for creativity and written submissions.
Designs were evaluated by an international jury that included Lorraine Berton, David Friedfeld, Giovanni Vitaloni, and representatives of the Cereda family, among other industry leaders.
Sergio Cereda Award Winner
The Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Archive
A key element of the ceremony was renewed attention on the Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Archive in Varese, Italy. Housed in Cereda’s former design studio, the archive preserves original sketches, prototypes, and conceptual work, and serves as an educational resource for students, designers, and brands seeking insight into design grounded in manufacturing realities.
Applications for the next Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award cycle are expected to open in April 2026.
Alcon has announced the Canadian launch of PRECISION7, a new one-week replacement contact lens available in sphere and toric designs. The lenses will be commercially available in Canada beginning in February 2026.
PRECISION7 introduces a new replacement schedule positioned between daily disposable and bi-weekly contact lenses. According to the company, the product is intended to address a common clinical reality: while many eye care professionals (ECPs) consider daily disposable lenses the preferred option, cost remains a barrier for a significant proportion of patients who continue to be fitted in reusable lenses.
Addressing comfort and replacement habits
Data cited by Alcon suggest that more than half of new contact lens wearers are prescribed reusable lenses primarily due to affordability considerations. In this context, a one-week replacement schedule may offer a more intuitive alternative for patients compared to traditional two-week replacement cycles.
PRECISION7 is designed to provide up to 16 hours of comfort per day and consistent visual performance throughout the full week of wear, including at the end of the replacement cycle. The lens incorporates Alcon’s ACTIV-FLO System, developed specifically to support performance over a seven-day period.
The ACTIV-FLO System
The ACTIV-FLO System combines a water-loving moisturizing agent embedded in the lens matrix with a proprietary replenishing agent that is gradually released to help maintain surface hydration for seven days. According to Alcon, this approach is intended to support comfort and lens performance across the full duration of wear.
Vanessa Johari Hansen, Country Business Unit Head, Vision Care, at Alcon Canada, said the launch reflects the company’s focus on patient-centered innovation and the introduction of a new category within contact lenses.
Supporting patient compliance
From a clinical perspective, replacement schedules that align with patients’ routines may support better compliance. A one-week cycle allows patients to select a consistent day of the week to replace their lenses, creating a predictable and easy-to-remember habit.
Dr. Kenton Fredlund, Optometrist at FYidoctors, noted that adherence remains one of the most persistent challenges in contact lens wear and that replacement schedules aligned with how patients think about time may help improve the overall wearing experience.
Expanding the WaterInnovations portfolio
The launch of PRECISION7 represents the newest addition to Alcon’s WaterInnovations portfolio of contact lenses. Both sphere and toric versions of PRECISION7 will be available in Canada beginning February 2, 2026.
Eye care professionals are encouraged to review full product instructions for wear, care, and safety information through Alcon’s professional resources.
FYidoctors expands access to dry eye care with a new national program featuring advanced diagnostics, tailored treatment plans and IPL therapy in select clinics.
JOS Titan Bold is a men’s frame crafted from pure titanium, featuring bevelled edges, masculine matte tones, and beta-titanium temples for durability, flexibility, and refined fit.
In today’s workplace, stress isn’t just common, it’s constant. Shifting expectations, increased workloads, ever-changing schedules, difficult colleagues, and the pressure to “perform with a smile” can stretch even the highest-achieving professionals thin.
Vision Expo returns to Orlando in March 2026 as a unified annual event, featuring accredited education, new product launches and a 40th anniversary celebration.
FYidoctors expands access to dry eye care with a new national program featuring advanced diagnostics, tailored treatment plans and IPL therapy in select clinics.
JOS Titan Bold is a men’s frame crafted from pure titanium, featuring bevelled edges, masculine matte tones, and beta-titanium temples for durability, flexibility, and refined fit.
In today’s workplace, stress isn’t just common, it’s constant. Shifting expectations, increased workloads, ever-changing schedules, difficult colleagues, and the pressure to “perform with a smile” can stretch even the highest-achieving professionals thin.
Vision Expo returns to Orlando in March 2026 as a unified annual event, featuring accredited education, new product launches and a 40th anniversary celebration.
FYidoctors expands access to dry eye care with a new national program featuring advanced diagnostics, tailored treatment plans and IPL therapy in select clinics.
JOS Titan Bold is a men’s frame crafted from pure titanium, featuring bevelled edges, masculine matte tones, and beta-titanium temples for durability, flexibility, and refined fit.
In today’s workplace, stress isn’t just common, it’s constant. Shifting expectations, increased workloads, ever-changing schedules, difficult colleagues, and the pressure to “perform with a smile” can stretch even the highest-achieving professionals thin.
Vision Expo returns to Orlando in March 2026 as a unified annual event, featuring accredited education, new product launches and a 40th anniversary celebration.
FYidoctors expands access to dry eye care with a new national program featuring advanced diagnostics, tailored treatment plans and IPL therapy in select clinics.
JOS Titan Bold is a men’s frame crafted from pure titanium, featuring bevelled edges, masculine matte tones, and beta-titanium temples for durability, flexibility, and refined fit.
In today’s workplace, stress isn’t just common, it’s constant. Shifting expectations, increased workloads, ever-changing schedules, difficult colleagues, and the pressure to “perform with a smile” can stretch even the highest-achieving professionals thin.
Vision Expo returns to Orlando in March 2026 as a unified annual event, featuring accredited education, new product launches and a 40th anniversary celebration.
