Art Beyond the Frame

Extraordinary graphics. Spectacular mirror effects. Three-dimensional looks. Highly distinctive, aesthetic lenses are becoming a new focal point for eyewear, and notably so at Safilo, the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator.

With the recent acquisition of Lenti, the sun lenses manufacturer based in Bergamo, Italy, Safilo now lays claim to some of the most state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities and processes for “Made in Italy” lenses. With an enticing new focus “Beyond the Frame,” the eyewear maker is bringing high-tech lenses and eye-catching lens art to its most luxurious eyewear collections.

Safilo’s groundbreaking decorative lens designs include 3D looks with prismatic or tactile effects, bicolor shaded lenses exclusive to certain collections, and mirroring with multiple colors achieved by a multilayer coating process enabling exclusive color combos and iridescent effects.

The results? Head-turning eyewear from all angles.

—Erinn Morgan

4 Fashion Trends from MIDO

this year’s 50,000-square-meter MIDO in Milan was abuzz with an incredible energy—and more than 55,000 entries of visitors from 152 countries around the world. This represents a 5.5% increase in attendance over the 2016 show, which realized record-breaking attendance, as well.

The MIDO buzz extended to social media, too. Over the three-day event, more than 20,000 posts were hashtagged #MIDO2017. Eyewear, it seems, has never been so enticing.

Here, EB delivers key trends we spotted on the floor at MIDO.

HANDCRAFTED LUXURY

Professional eyewear artisans and craftspeople were on hand at the show to reveal the true passion and dedication that goes into creating the perfect pair of eyewear. Safilo featured an entire room in their booth set up with craftspeople making frames so visitors could view the detailed process.

PUSHING THE EDGE

Frame design notably followed fashion apparel’s lead, and on-trend eyewear at MIDO featured unique frame cutouts and layered designs, with a frame-within-a-frame look.

HEAD-TURNING HUES

The most standout sunwear and eyewear displayed both precise and unusual color placements—a hint of pink here, color-blocking with hot hues there. A range of pinks appearing on eyewear lined right up with the fashion world’s love affair with the hue this season.

FASHION WEEK WONDER

Milan Fashion Week just happened to coincide with MIDO, a coincidence that created quite a Milanese style spectacle to behold—and an opportunity for eyewear makers to launch new collections to the world’s fashion press and glitterati.

Marcolin hosted a luxurious launch event for Moncler eyewear, Kering Eyewear put on a spectacular launch for Gucci eyewear, and Luxottica hosted a star-studded event for Valentino eyewear.

—Erinn Morgan

MIDO 2018 will take place Feb. 24-26.