Preliminary data released by the Italian statistics bureau Istat showed that the country's economy contracted by 0.1% in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the previous three months, which once raised fears of a recession.
But looking at the Italian eyewear industry as a whole, Italian eyewear exports in 2022 increased by 22.5% compared to 2021, reaching about 5 billion euros.
"We are doing our best to minimize the impact of inflation on prices, but it will not be easy. So far, we have maximized internal efficiency to mitigate the impact of inflation. Going forward, this will depend on how inflation will evolve, which is unclear. Chrystel Barranger, president of Essilor Luxottica's wholesale business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company will release its 2022 full-year results on February 23.
Despite the cost pressure, Thomas Burkhardt, president of Marchon Eyewear, said the company is currently "optimistic" about its 2023 results.
The company says the U.S. remains Marchon's primary market; At the same time, EMEA regions, especially the UK, Italy and Germany, also show strong market prospects; The Asian market has also improved today," Thomas Burkhardt added.
Marchon has also been focused on addressing inflation and supply chain-related cost increases by improving the efficiency of internal processes. "This allows us to keep price increases at about half the rate of inflation — keeping the price increases of our products in the U.S. and Europe, the Middle East and Africa at 3 to 4 percent." Burkhardt said.
De Rigo sees the U.S. as one of its main markets, and Maurizio Dessolis, executive vice chairman of De Rigo, said the company got off to a good start in most markets in January.
At this year's Mido, Essilor Luxottica presented its latest Varilux progressive lenses, the Varilux XR series, at the new Experience Center at EssilorLuxottica at Via Tortona 35. Powered by artificial intelligence technology, the Varilux XR Series is the first eye-sensing progressive lens that maintains instant clarity even in motion.
As many off-site events unfold in the towns around Mido. Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia, LVMH Group's Thélios, showcased new eyewear collections from brands such as Fendi, Celine, Loewe, Stella McCartney and more, while many brands such as Kenzo, Fred, Dior and Givenchy have adopted new visual identities to attract a new generation.
Givenchy's "GIV CUT" was featured on singer Rosalía at the 2022 Met Gala. According to Givenchy, the futuristic ultra-light "GIV CUT" is the brand's first 3D printed glasses.
Switzerland-based Akoni Group, in addition to its own product line, manufactures and distributes eyewear products for brands such as Balmain and Valentino. Rosario Toscano, CEO of Akoni Group, said: "Our goal is to work with brands to improve the quality of eyewear. He also believes that it is not easy for today's luxury brands to enter the eyewear field, and it is difficult to secure their high-end positioning without working with the right eyewear manufacturers and distributors.
Before presenting its Vela collection at Mido, Lapima eyewear studio from São Paulo introduced its products to be influenced by boats and sailboats in Brazil's coastal towns, each of which embodies an aesthetic element between the hard geometric lines and the ductility of the natural fabric from which they are made.
Gustavo and Gisela Assis started their own eyewear brand in 2016. Since then, they have embodied Brazil's natural beauty with surrealist chic designs, hand-carved with organic cellulose acetate. Such products have attracted the attention of stars such as Anne Hathaway, Kristen Bell, Katy Perry and Cate Blanchett. "As the pioneer of Brazil's first independent eyewear brand, we do have a lot of characteristics," says Gustavo.
The eyewear sector has a long tradition of working with F1 cars. At this year's Mido, there is also a product trend - many eyewear giants have launched a series of targeted eyewear products to meet the needs of use cases in the field of competitive sports and motorsport.
To celebrate the renewed global partnership between Web Eyewear and the Alfa Romeo F1 Team, an F1 car was on display at the Marcolin section of this year's Mido. A collection of glasses made for F1 drivers was also on display, including two pairs of sunglasses and one optical glasses.
In addition, Marcolin CEO Fabrizio Curci also said in a statement: "What awaits us will be an action-filled 2023, and we hope to continue our growth on ESG and digital transformation topics." ”
De Rigo, the eyewear giant from Langarone, Italy, has released its first Barrow collection, a brand dedicated to digital natives, launched in 2020 by a group of creative talent with backgrounds in fashion digital.
Safilo has also been committed to the development and adoption of recyclable and bio-based materials, and last year the group joined Fashion Pact, firmly believing that sustainability is still a trend.
On Marchon's 40th anniversary, the company also embarked on a plan to do good for the planet and all of us, including Marchon's customers and employees, through its "Eyes on Tomorrow" program. The company chose to use materials such as Eastman Acetate Renew, Tenite Renew and Tritan Renew, negative acetate, upcycled plastics and plant-based resins to create more sustainable frames, lenses and packaging for its customers. Today, 25% of Marchon's frame portfolio is made from environmentally friendly materials, and plans to increase this to 50% by 2025." Burkhardt said.
Nowadays, more and more eyewear companies are accumulating strength to meet new changes, so that eyewear products can have a more extreme user experience, more guaranteed functionality and creativity. The growth of export volume, the positive attitude of more and more eyewear groups in brand cooperation and technology investment is a very positive signal for the eyewear industry. WWD
Written by Sofia Celeste
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