Show organizers for Silmo Paris have announced the nominees for the 33rd Silmo d'Or Awards, an annual juried ceremony celebrating eyewear design and innovation. Joachim Froment, co-founder of Futurewave, will serve as jury president. The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on September 26, 2026, during the Silmo 2026 show scheduled for September 25–28 at Paris Nord Villepinte. Categories include children, sport, vision, materials, technological innovation, smart eyewear, optical frames, and sunwear. Notable nominees feature products from EssilorLuxottica (including Ray-Ban Meta Display), Oakley, Hoya Vision Care, and various independent designers across multiple segments.
CooperVision (CVI) reported little change in revenue for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2026. This stability occurred despite a reduction in US channel inventory, which is expected to negatively impact results in the final quarter of the year. Separately, CooperCompanies, the medical device parent company encompassing both CVI and CooperSurgical, retained CooperSurgical. The source provides limited detail on specific financial figures or the strategic rationale behind the retention decision beyond these core facts.
opti Director Cathleen Kabashi announced that the 2027 trade fair will introduce a new special area, "opti Smart Tech," dedicated to smart eyewear, wearables, hearables, and connected technology. This initiative supports the broader "See. Hear. Next." campaign, aiming to bridge emerging technologies with optical and hearing-care practices. While opti’s core market remains the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Kabashi emphasized that this density of specialized innovation partners makes Munich a key entry point for international business models. The event also continues existing formats like "Spheare" and "Tomorrow Vision," focusing on tangible commercial opportunities rather than abstract future visions.
Mido announced the adoption of the "Eyewearland Milano" payoff as a new element defining its identity, positioning the event as an eyewear ecosystem rather than just a trade show. The 2027 edition is scheduled for February 6–8 at Fiera Milano Rho, featuring 1,200 exhibitors across eight areas in seven halls and attracting visitors from over 160 countries. Coinciding with Chinese New Year on the opening day, Mido arranged special travel deals for attendees from Wenzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, supplementing existing offers for visitors from the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Further initiatives are planned for announcement in coming months.
INSPECS Group reported mixed financial results for the first half of 2026, highlighting challenges for its new ownership. The company achieved a slightly faster pace of revenue growth in H1 2026 compared to the full year of 2025. However, this acceleration was driven entirely by its Manufacturing division, a small OEM arm that is only recently turning a profit. In contrast, the Frames and Optics segment, which constitutes the larger portion of the group’s business, did not contribute to this pickup. The report underscores the divergent performance between the emerging profitable manufacturing unit and the historically significant frames and optics operations under new leadership.
Eyewear brand BLACKFIN has announced its Fall/Winter 2026 advertising campaign, titled "Urban Sync." The campaign is visually set against the architectural backdrop of Berlin. As an announcement of a new marketing initiative, this report confirms the launch of the creative direction and location for the upcoming season's promotional materials. No specific product details, pricing, or availability dates for eyewear items featured in the campaign were provided in the source material.
The RAMBLE METROPOLITAN 2026AW eyewear exhibition is scheduled to take place at Glade Park Omotesando in Minato-ku, Tokyo, from October 6 to October 8, 2026. This biannual event gathers independent brands and creators from Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, and South Korea to facilitate direct interaction and design exchange. Participating labels include GROOVER SPECTACLES, XAZTLAN, CLAYTON FRANKLIN, ACCRUE, OGK KABUTO, Akira Ishiwatari Design Studio, Yin Year, 22°16-38N, Absolute Vintage, h-i köln, NUTTY, SAY-OH!, and OUTSIDE IN. The exhibition emphasizes a "Commune" spirit, focusing on natural dialogue between brands and visitors rather than formal presentations. Press coverage involves SO! Eyewear Studio, boot_eye, and V Magazine.
SILMO Paris is scheduled to take place at Paris Nord Villepinte from September 25 to 28, 2026. According to available figures, the event’s overall size remains stable compared to previous editions. However, the show is undergoing internal reorganization with a heightened emphasis on technology sectors. Key areas of focus include smart eyewear, artificial intelligence, and "oculomics," defined as the use of eye data for diagnosing broader systemic health conditions. The source indicates these technological shifts represent a strategic pivot within the exhibition's structure, though specific details regarding new exhibitor counts or exact program changes remain limited in the provided text.
National Vision has launched the second phase of its corporate rebranding initiative, focusing on the Eyeglass World banner. This move follows the 2025 refresh of America’s Best, another brand under the company's umbrella. Eyeglass World is described as a smaller banner within National Vision's portfolio compared to America’s Best. The source confirms the start of this specific branding effort but does not provide details on the scope of changes, timeline for completion, or financial implications. Information regarding the new visual identity or strategic goals beyond the sequential rollout from America’s Best to Eyeglass World is not included in the available text.
National Vision Holdings, Inc. announced a nationwide brand refresh for its Eyeglass World retail chain, developed in partnership with creative agency VML. The initiative introduces a new visual identity and the campaign slogan "Change Your Glasses. Change Your World," aiming to position the brand as a digital, curated optical destination. Key elements include a launch film featuring a woman in a mirror maze, an original soundtrack single by Spencer Ludwig released earlier this month, and rollout across digital video, social media, and influencer channels. The update emphasizes virtual try-on capabilities alongside in-store experiences. This announcement marks a strategic shift for the retailer, which operates over 1,200 stores across 40 states and Puerto Rico, though specific product pricing or inventory details were not disclosed.
Leonardo Maria del Vecchio, one of eight heirs to Luxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio, called for a change in strategy at EssilorLuxottica. The request comes as the family holding company Delfin remains the largest shareholder with a 32.4 percent stake. Del Vecchio cited the declining value of the eyewear giant’s stock as a key factor behind his appeal for strategic adjustments.
DaTE 2026, an event for independent contemporary eyewear, is scheduled for September 12–14 at the Salone Margherita in Napoli. This marks the first time the exhibition chooses Napoli as its venue. Over 130 international brands from countries including Italy, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, South Korea, Japan and Tunisia will participate. The three-day gathering aims to facilitate networking among opticians, buyers, designers and journalists. A delegation of approximately 30 European buyers will attend through collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). Admission is free but restricted to industry professionals. President Davide Degl'Incerti Tocci stated the event prioritizes informal connections. The schedule includes a DaTE Party on Saturday evening, during which organizers will announce the dates and location for the next edition.
Silhouette Group released its 2024/25 sustainability report on September 8, 2026. This marks the company’s third voluntary disclosure and its first aligned with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), building on EMAS environmental reporting since 1996. The report highlights that the Linz production facility has been natural gas-free since 2026, electricity is sourced 100% from renewables, and a closed-loop process reduces fresh water usage by 50% per pair of glasses. Additionally, bio-circular materials now fully substitute fossil-based raw materials in manufacturing. Future plans include improving Scope 3 data quality, strengthening supplier collaboration, and integrating sustainability into decision-making.
South Korean parent company Iicombined has appointed Renaud Divisia as general manager of Iicombined Europe, according to a LinkedIn announcement made last week. Divisia will oversee organization, retail expansion, and commercial strategy across the EMEA region, including the eyewear brand Gentle Monster. The appointment signals a strategic push for growth in European markets under the leadership of an executive with luxury background experience.
ZEISS Vision Care, part of the ZEISS Consumer Markets segment, has announced a new global brand campaign aimed at raising awareness for visual health. The initiative seeks to guide consumers toward eye care professionals. ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise in optics and optoelectronics, with annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros in the previous fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The company employs over 47,400 people across around 50 countries. As a major manufacturer of eyeglass lenses, ZEISS Vision Care develops solutions including ophthalmic instruments and digital apps. The campaign aligns with the company’s commitment to protecting vision and contributing to lifelong visual health, leveraging its strong brand presence in consumer markets.
Etnia Eyewear Culture has named Massimo Vian as its new chief executive officer. Founder David Pellicer will transition into the role of executive chairman. This leadership change marks the first time in a decade that the family-owned Spanish company has handed day-to-day operational control to an outside executive. The appointment signals a strategic shift for the brand, aiming to sharpen operations while maintaining its creative identity and relationships with opticians. The source does not specify the exact start date for Vian’s tenure or provide further details on the specific operational changes planned under his roadmap.
TDK Corporation announced the acquisition of assets from OQmented (kiiz Technologies GmbH), a Germany-based developer of MEMS-based laser beam scanning and display technologies. The acquired assets will be integrated into TDK AIsight, established in 2026 to accelerate TDK’s smart glasses solutions business. TDK stated that this move supports its strategy to build a vertically integrated light engine platform for AR display systems, combining eye intent technology, Full-color Laser Module (FCLM), and MEMS mirrors. This follows TDK’s June 2025 purchase of SoftEye, Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed. TDK expects steady growth in the smart glasses market over the medium to long term.
Conant Optical reported accelerated revenue growth and improved gross margins in the first half of 2026. A key driver was its emerging XR lens business, which grew nearly 16-fold year on year. Although still small, this segment now accounts for 4.3 percent of the group's total revenue. The company is broadening its push into this technology sector as part of its broader financial performance improvements during the period.
Specsavers reported a sharp improvement in profitability for fiscal 2025/26, with its operating margin increasing by 1.7 percentage points to reach 9.9 percent. This data comes from the group’s latest filing with Companies House, which provides a more detailed and narrower view of the business compared to Specsavers’ own Annual Review document. The source does not specify whether this growth reflects nominal or constant-currency figures, nor does it detail unit sales volumes versus total revenue. The report highlights the financial performance metric but offers no further context on operational drivers or geographic breakdowns within the specified timeframe.
MIDO has introduced the "Eyewearland Milano" payoff to redefine its identity as a global eyewear ecosystem rather than just a trade show. The announcement precedes the event scheduled for February 6–8, 2027, at Fiera Milano Rho. Organizers state the show will feature 1,200 exhibitors across eight areas in seven halls, attracting visitors from over 160 countries. This edition coincides with Chinese New Year on February 6, prompting special travel deals for attendees from Wenzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, alongside existing offers for US, Canadian, and Latin American visitors. Online registration for visitors and journalists opens September 25. Further initiatives are expected to be unveiled in subsequent months.
VisionPlus EXPO has announced new dates for its 2027 edition, scheduled for April 24–25 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event, hosted by FourPlus Media, will feature Satish Menon as Business Head, leading the Events Division with over 30 years of experience in international exhibitions across India and the Middle East. This announcement confirms preparations are underway for a two-day gathering focused on innovation, networking, and business growth within the global optical industry. Attendees from regions including the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, the USA, and Russia are expected to participate. The exhibition aims to showcase advanced diagnostic equipment, lens technologies, and premium eyewear collections while hosting industry awards to recognize professional excellence.
ZEISS Vision Care has completed the acquisition of EDY OPTIC, a company operating in Romania. The transaction integrates EDY OPTIC into ZEISS Vision Care, which is part of the ZEISS Consumer Markets segment and develops solutions for ophthalmic optics, including eyeglass lenses and digital services. ZEISS Group reported annual revenue of almost 12 billion euros in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. As of March 31, 2026, ZEISS employs over 47,400 people globally across around 50 countries. The source text confirms the completion of the acquisition but does not provide specific financial details regarding the deal value or operational changes resulting from the integration.
Seiko Watch & Eyewear Store in Huwei, Yunlin County, will host a full collection exhibition of the Japanese eyewear brand Taylor with Respect from September 4 to September 27, 2026. The event highlights the brand’s design philosophy rooted in tailoring precision and Fukui Sabae craftsmanship, featuring structural elements like one-piece T-shaped fronts and cloud nose pads. Attendees purchasing Taylor with Respect glasses are eligible for a clock-themed bookmark gift. The store, operated by a second-generation owner who transitioned from watch repair to optical services, aims to connect the brand's focus on comfort and fit with local customers' daily lives.
The Italian Trade Agency and ANFAO will host the Italian Eyewear Exhibition (IEE) in Paris on September 24, featuring 26 Italian eyewear companies. Held at Pavillon Cambon Capucines from 3 pm, the invitation-only event targets industry professionals, including opticians and buyers, to showcase new optical and sun collections. This initiative supports Italy’s eyewear sector, which comprises approximately 800 firms, employs 22,800 people, and generates €5.64 billion in production value. With nearly 90% of output exported, France stands as the leading European market and second-largest global export destination for Italian eyewear. ANFAO President Lorraine Berton emphasized the event’s role in connecting manufacturers with international partners.
National Vision Holdings, Inc. announced on August 26, 2026, that it is scheduled to present at the Barclays 19th Annual Global Consumer Conference on September 9, 2026, at 12:45 p.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of the presentation will be available in the Investors section of the company’s website, with an archive posted shortly after the event. The announcement does not constitute a completed launch or product release. National Vision operates over 1,200 stores across 40 states and Puerto Rico under brands including America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, Vista Opticals, and DiscountContacts.com.
The United Opticians Association (UOA) has installed its 2027 board and is moving to expand a national certification drive. Established in 2024 through the unification of the Opticians Association of America and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools, the UOA states that it prohibits discrimination of any type or nature and makes all decisions impartially. The provided source material confirms these organizational changes and policy statements but does not offer specific details regarding the scope, timeline, or implementation metrics for the expanded certification initiative.
Prooptica Brasil will present new collections from six brands at Expovisão 2026, held August 24–25 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The company will occupy area 12 during event hours of 10:00 to 20:00. Featured brands include Juliana Paes Eyewear Collection, offering Premium and Urban lines; Sevenoaks Eyewear with unisex vintage-inspired models; Quebramar Eyewear highlighting nautical-style Clip-On frames; Masai Eyewear presenting inclusive designs; Piper Eyewear introducing children’s glasses with 360-degree flexible temples; and Dielmar Eyewear showcasing men’s tailoring-inspired aesthetics. The presentation aims to display diverse portfolios for optical professionals, emphasizing fashion, innovation, and commercial potential within the Brazilian market.
SDC Technologies, a subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals, announced a significant follow-on investment in flō Optics as part of the company's recently completed SAFE financing round. SDC served as a lead strategic investor and will appoint a representative to flō Optics' Board of Directors, building on their initial partnership established during flō Optics' Series A financing in July 2025. The proceeds from this round will support flō Optics' transition into early commercialization, expanded customer deployments, and the development of next-generation digital coating platforms. All eligible existing shareholders exercised pro-rata participation rights. This move reinforces SDC's commitment to flō Optics' proprietary digital coating technology for ophthalmic lenses.
Silmo Paris revealed the final shortlist of 10 projects for its 2026 Optical Design Contest, selected from global student entries under the theme “The Future of Optics: What Vision?” The jury is chaired by designer Olivier Lapidus. Nominated concepts include adaptive sports eyewear, smart frames for children with concentration difficulties, and biodegradable mycelium-based designs. These projects will be showcased at Silmo Paris 2026, scheduled for September 25–28 at Paris Nord Villepinte. One overall winner will receive a €10,000 prize, split equally between the student and their educational institution. The announcement highlights the exhibition’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and creativity within the optical industry.
Mister Spex, a leading German optical retailer, announced on August 17, 2026, that it is expanding its product range to include children’s glasses for schoolchildren aged 6 to 12. The collection will be available in the German online shop starting August 17, 2026, and in all 66 Mister Spex stores across Germany from August 31, 2026. The curated portfolio features models from Ray-Ban Junior, Oakley Youth, Nano Vista, and TITANFLEX Kids. Prices for classic single vision lenses with basic hard coating start at EUR 75.95, with thinner lenses and additional coatings available at extra cost. Store teams have received dedicated training to provide professional advice and fitting services.
Best Buy is rolling out 30-by-30-foot Meta AI shop-in-shops in select stores, aiming for 50 locations selling Ray-Ban Meta frames by the end of this year and potentially over 200 by next year. Executive Vice President Patrick McGinnis stated that more than 50% of customers prefer seeing the glasses in person before purchase, with over 175,000 demos completed since smaller displays launched last October. The new spaces feature untethered frames for easy try-ons and are positioned front-and-center to revamp store layouts for flexible experiential retail. To support this initiative, 300 associates underwent weeklong training to address customer needs and privacy concerns regarding the AI-powered eyewear.
LVMH’s eyewear division, Thélios, has renewed its strategic partnership with La Biennale di Venezia to serve as the official eyewear sponsor for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in 2026. This marks the fifth consecutive year of collaboration since the partnership began in 2022. The sponsorship highlights the connection between cinema and eyewear, emphasizing their shared role in expressing identity and creative vision. Alessandro Zanardo, CEO of Thélios, stated that the event allows the company to celebrate Italian craftsmanship and values such as attention to detail and aesthetic exploration. Based in Longarone within the Veneto region, Thélios continues to promote "Made in Italy" excellence globally through this engagement with one of the world's most distinguished film festivals.
SPECTR Magazine attended Etnia Barcelona’s Global Sales Meeting in Barcelona this week, coinciding with the brand’s 25th anniversary in 2026. Founded in Barcelona in 2001, Etnia Barcelona built its identity on bold color and art connections. The event gathered international sales teams and partners under the theme “Dreams,” featuring visual concepts, installations, and early glimpses of upcoming collections. While the meeting highlighted future growth opportunities and creative directions, it primarily served as a celebration of the company’s journey over the past quarter century. SPECTR noted the gathering allowed for insight into the people shaping the brand but did not report specific product launches or financial figures.
On 15 May, ANFAO Vice President Nicola Belli announced the start of the first training courses under Innovereye, a project developed with Confindustria Belluno Dolomiti, Aivisory, and Certottica. The initiative aims to help Italian eyewear companies, particularly SMEs, practically integrate artificial intelligence and digitalisation into manufacturing and organisational processes. Belli emphasised that while Italy retains strong traditional manufacturing know-how, global competitiveness now depends on leveraging data and digital speed against emerging economies like China and Vietnam. Innovereye seeks to create a dedicated reference hub providing tailored operational support and real-life use cases to improve efficiency, quality, and talent attraction without sacrificing the sector's cultural heritage or Made in Italy identity.
On July 14, the Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers' Association (ANFAO) presented its strategic vision at its General Meeting in Rome. President Lorraine Berton introduced a plan built on five pillars: people, innovation, markets, culture, and strategic outlook. Key initiatives include the "Talent Bridging" program launching September 15, the "Open Vision" podcast series, and an AI-focused Export Management training with LUISS Business School starting September 17. To support internationalization, ANFAO announced upcoming exhibitions: IEE Paris on September 24, the inaugural IEE San Paolo on October 15–16, and Silmo Istanbul from November 19–22. The strategy aims to help member companies anticipate market changes and strengthen global competitiveness through talent development and technological adaptation.
The Accessories Council has opened submissions for its 2026 Design Excellence Awards, accepting entries until September 2, 2026. The annual program recognizes innovation in product design across multiple categories, including four specific eyewear divisions: Optical and Sun, each split into Independent (1-2 brands) and Multi-Brand (3 or more brands). Finalists will be featured in the Fall issue of Ac Magazine, while winners receive additional recognition in the holiday issue. Both groups gain access to a Design Excellence Awards seal for use in marketing and packaging. Sponsors for this edition include Fashionphile, Marchon and Caleres.
The United Opticians Association held its 2026 conference in Chicago from June 25–27, gathering nearly 250 opticians, educators, and industry partners. The event featured technology demonstrations by MEI Systems, EssilorLuxottica, Optikam, and Eyebot, alongside exclusive visits to Europa Eyewear and MEI Systems. Attendees elected new FY27 leadership, including Board President Dr. Aarlan Aceto, and recognized award recipients such as Mary Seguiti and Heather Branderhorst. The conference raised more than $20,000 for the Vision of Hope Foundation and Optical Heritage Museum, with donations remaining open through July 31. Organizers announced Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the host city for the 2027 conference and launched the "Get Certified. Stay Certified." initiative.
On July 12, 2026, HOYA Vision Care announced the renewal of its global strategic partnership with NIDEK Co., Ltd. Originally established in 2023, this collaboration now extends on an automatic yearly basis to integrate diagnostic instrumentation with advanced lens technologies. The partnership aims to empower Eye Care Professionals by combining NIDEK’s expertise in ophthalmic and optometric equipment with HOYA’s lens innovations, supporting precise, personalized vision care. Both companies, rooted in Japanese precision craftsmanship, seek to enhance clinical decision-making and patient experience through data-driven solutions. This renewal reflects a shared commitment to long-term technological innovation and integrated service delivery within the global eye care market.
ANFAO Vice President Sabrina Paulon emphasized the strategic importance of intergenerational dialogue and talent attraction for the Italian eyewear industry. She detailed the launch of "Talent Bridging," a project designed to connect different generations by helping member companies understand young talent's expectations while preserving decades of accumulated expertise. Paulon noted that competitive advantage increasingly depends on linking experience with new perspectives. She also discussed the evolution of female representation in leadership, advocating for inclusive management cultures over separate models. Additionally, she highlighted the role of the Bilateral Body for the Eyewear Industry (EBO) in providing welfare measures, such as maternity benefits, scholarships, and continuing education, to support employee retention and workplace quality.
Menicon Co., Ltd. announced that its subsidiary W.I.System Co., Ltd. acquired 100% of the shares of Inter-Optical Co., Ltd. on June 30, 2026, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. W.I.System operates 86 "Ace Contact" stores primarily in eastern Japan as part of the "Miru" distributor network. Inter-Optical manages three stores in Sendai, including one near Sendai station. This acquisition aims to expand customer touchpoints in eastern Japan and leverage combined store operation know-how for service quality enhancement. The Menicon Group stated it will continue providing customer service while building on Inter-Optical's existing business foundation.