EssilorLuxottica has announced its participation in MIDO Eyewear Show 2026, one of the eyewear industry’s leading international events, taking place in Milan from January 31 to February 2.
The Group’s presence at MIDO 2026 reflects its ongoing strategic transformation, from a company rooted in vision care and eyewear to a broader, technology-driven ecosystem integrating wearables, med-tech, artificial intelligence, and big data. This evolution is anchored in EssilorLuxottica’s mission, Empowering Humans, which focuses on inclusive, people-centric innovation designed to improve quality of life and create new opportunities across the industry.
EssilorLuxottica’s booth, located in Hall 3 (Lenses), Stands T08–T16 and U09–U15, will cover 525 square metres and is conceived as a fully immersive, human-centred experience. The space will be structured around three interconnected themes: Express Yourself, highlighting the Group’s iconic frame brands; Enhance Life, dedicated to next-generation wearable technologies; and See Better, showcasing the convergence of vision care and advanced medical technologies.
Visitors will also find dedicated areas featuring lens innovations from Essilor and its portfolio brands, frames and iconic eyewear brands presented through exclusive digital content, and a broad range of wearables and med-tech solutions. An additional area will spotlight Leonardo and the Group’s Partnership Programs, underscoring its commitment to education, collaboration, and long-term industry growth.
Through its participation at MIDO 2026, EssilorLuxottica reaffirms its leadership role in shaping the future of the eyewear and vision care industry—where innovation, health, and lifestyle increasingly intersect.
Adrien Brody has joined Lacoste as the global ambassador for the brand’s Lacoste Eyewear line, marking the latest chapter in a relationship that began more than a decade ago.
Fourteen years after their first collaboration on Lacoste’s Unconventional Chic campaign (2012), the two are reuniting with Brody now fronting the brand’s eyewear communications. Over the years, he has remained closely associated with Lacoste, including regular appearances at the brand’s fashion shows.
A two-time Academy Award winner for Best Actor, Brody is known for his performance in The Pianist (2002) and, more recently, for his role in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist (2024), which earned additional major international recognition.
“I’m honored to join the Lacoste family as the global ambassador of their newest eyewear campaign,” said Brody. “Lacoste has always represented style, authenticity and craftsmanship, and I’m excited to continue our friendship and collaboration with this new campaign.”
A Design That Blends Heritage and Contemporary Style
The sunglass style featured on Brody reflects Lacoste Eyewear’s approach to combining brand heritage with a modern, lightweight look. The geometric frame is designed with a bio-injected front for everyday comfort, paired with acetate temples finished with a finely engraved metal core wire for added durability and refinement.
Signature Lacoste details include the brand’s metal crocodile trim and a premium seven-barrel hinge, emphasizing strength, precision, and a clean, recognizable identity consistent with Lacoste’s accessory positioning.
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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For the fourth consecutive year, Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc. has reaffirmed its commitment to accessibility, education, and inclusion by sponsoring two students with vision loss to attend the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS).
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, SCIVIS took place from September 28 to October 2, 2025, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The program welcomed 142 visually impaired students from across the United States for an immersive, hands-on educational experience inspired by NASA’s astronaut training programs.
A Fully Accessible Astronaut Training Experience
Throughout the week, students participated in adapted astronaut training activities designed to be fully accessible for individuals with vision impairment. These included spaceflight simulations such as a one-sixth gravity chair and multi-axis trainer, rocket assembly and launch exercises, simulated space missions, and an underwater scuba build. Participants also explored aerospace technology and learned about future career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and space exploration.
Daily challenges, ranging from search-and-rescue exercises to high ropes courses, encouraged teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving, reinforcing the camp’s mission to show students that vision loss does not limit ambition or achievement.
2025 Scholarship Recipients
The two students selected for Eschenbach’s 2025 sponsorship were Jackson H., from Olympia, Washington, who attended the Space Academy program, and Jayden V., from the Bronx, New York, who completed the Advanced Space Academy program. Both students successfully completed their simulated space missions.
In addition to full coverage of tuition and airfare, each scholarship recipient received a care package that included an Eschenbach Smartlux® Digital portable video magnifier, supporting everyday reading and writing tasks through enhanced digital magnification.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Reflecting on his experience, Jayden V. shared:
“Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, to experience one of yet the best moments of my life. If I was in doubt or discouraged to ever have a career at NASA because of my disability; all that has pushed away. NASA better be ready for the first albino in space!”
Through initiatives like SCIVIS, Eschenbach continues to demonstrate how optical innovation and corporate social responsibility can intersect to empower young people with vision loss to pursue bold goals, on Earth and beyond.
Learn more about Eschenbach’s giving-back initiatives and the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students program on the company’s website.
As Milan prepares for a landmark year that will see the city host both the world’s leading eyewear trade show and the Winter Olympic Games, the Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award has announced its Top 10 Contenders for the 2026 edition of the competition.
The announcement comes as anticipation builds for Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games and MIDO | Milano Eyewear Show, two global events that together frame a rare moment of cultural, athletic, and design convergence for Italy.
Founded by eyewear industry veteran Harvey Ross in memory of his longtime friend and business partner Sergio Cereda, the award is presented by the Viva Ross Family Foundation in partnership with MIDO and the Cereda family. This year’s competition marked a record level of participation, with 101 student submissions from around the world, reflecting the growing international reach of the program.
Sergio Cereda
An Olympic-Inspired Brief
For 2026, students were challenged to design Olympic-inspired optical and sunglass concepts, conceived for winter sport performance, extreme environmental conditions, and contemporary style. The brief intentionally mirrored the unique alignment of the Olympic Games being held in Italy alongside the global eyewear industry’s most important annual exhibition.
Ross said the response from emerging designers was both overwhelming and deeply personal.
“I am deeply moved by the response from so many young designers—designers who would have made Sergio incredibly proud. Sergio was a true pioneer at a time when eyewear was just beginning to be recognized as a major fashion accessory… It is the mission of my foundation to ensure that Sergio Cereda’s legacy lives on and that his name is never forgotten in the world of eyewear design.”
Top 10 Contenders (Unranked)
The following designers have been selected as the Top 10 Contenders for the 2026 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award:
Elisa Albertini — LABA | Libera Accademia di Belle Arti di Brescia (Italy)
Connor Bybee — Savannah College of Art and Design (USA)
Anping Chu — Istituto Marangoni Milano Design School (Italy)
Gustav Craft — Istituto Marangoni (Italy)
Camille Ferreira — Istituto Marangoni Milano (Italy)
Megan Broad Merkel — Savannah College of Art and Design (USA)
Mahra Mustafa — Istituto Marangoni Milano Design (Italy)
Alessandro Oberti — LABA (Italy)
Giada Tosana — LABA | Libera Accademia di Belle Arti di Brescia (Italy)
Leon Voegtle — Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel (Germany)
Awards, Exhibition, and Live Ceremony at MIDO
The Top Three designers will receive monetary awards of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500, with final rankings revealed live during the awards ceremony:
Awards Ceremony Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 4:00 PM The Vision Stage, Hall 1 MIDO | Milano Eyewear Show
In addition to the ceremony, the Top Three designs will be exhibited in The Vision Stage Lounge at MIDO, alongside original Sergio Cereda prototypes and archival sketches. The installation is intended to create a direct dialogue between Cereda’s legacy and the next generation of eyewear designers.
All participating students are invited to attend and network with jurors, professors, manufacturers, and global eyewear leaders throughout the event.
Industry Voices on the Importance of the Award
Lorraine Berton, President of MIDO and ANFAO, emphasized the broader significance of the award:
“This award reflects the very spirit of MIDO — where heritage, innovation, and future vision meet. In a symbolic year for Milan and for Italy, giving space to young designers who can unite performance, design culture, and storytelling means investing in the future of our industry.”
Stefania Cereda Oppermann, Design Consultant with the EssilorLuxottica North America Product Team, highlighted the personal dimension of the brief:
“The brief was Olympic-inspired, but at its heart, this competition was about understanding my father — his curiosity, his rigor, and his respect for craftsmanship.”
Industry consultant Ketty Cereda added that the strongest projects combined creativity with purpose, reflecting values central to Sergio Cereda’s approach to design.
International Jury
The Top 10 Contenders were selected by an international jury of eyewear industry leaders, including executives, designers, and brand founders from across the global eyewear landscape.
With the final announcement set for January at MIDO, the Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award once again positions itself as a meaningful platform for recognizing emerging talent and reinforcing the link between heritage, innovation, and the future of eyewear design.
SightGlass Vision has made two leadership appointments to strengthen its medical and professional affairs teams supporting DOT myopia control spectacle lenses.
Francis de Lara was recognized as a double finalist at the NOW Awards during Vision Expo 2026, as Suzanne Sendel Agency signed on to distribute the collection in Canada and parts of the United States.
Woodys presents its SS26 collection through a fashion-forward reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign, featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and bold new expressions in optical and sunwear.
Optometry Giving Sight has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh, Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision, to its Board of Directors.
SightGlass Vision has made two leadership appointments to strengthen its medical and professional affairs teams supporting DOT myopia control spectacle lenses.
Francis de Lara was recognized as a double finalist at the NOW Awards during Vision Expo 2026, as Suzanne Sendel Agency signed on to distribute the collection in Canada and parts of the United States.
Woodys presents its SS26 collection through a fashion-forward reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign, featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and bold new expressions in optical and sunwear.
Optometry Giving Sight has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh, Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision, to its Board of Directors.
SightGlass Vision has made two leadership appointments to strengthen its medical and professional affairs teams supporting DOT myopia control spectacle lenses.
Francis de Lara was recognized as a double finalist at the NOW Awards during Vision Expo 2026, as Suzanne Sendel Agency signed on to distribute the collection in Canada and parts of the United States.
Woodys presents its SS26 collection through a fashion-forward reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign, featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and bold new expressions in optical and sunwear.
Optometry Giving Sight has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh, Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision, to its Board of Directors.
SightGlass Vision has made two leadership appointments to strengthen its medical and professional affairs teams supporting DOT myopia control spectacle lenses.
Francis de Lara was recognized as a double finalist at the NOW Awards during Vision Expo 2026, as Suzanne Sendel Agency signed on to distribute the collection in Canada and parts of the United States.
Woodys presents its SS26 collection through a fashion-forward reinterpretation of its Unique Bakery campaign, featuring 44 new models, premium European materials, and bold new expressions in optical and sunwear.
Optometry Giving Sight has announced the appointment of Karen Walsh, Senior Director of Global Professional Affairs at CooperVision, to its Board of Directors.
