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Eyestylist’s 4 favourite booth designs at opti 2026

19th January 2026

Stand design with a greater focus on sustainability and the use of cost-effective materials has visibly evolved in the last years in the optical world and companies and visitors we spoke to were enthusiastic about the more sustainable and innovative concepts on display. Reusable modular designs that can be customised reduce waste and highlight the innovative spirit and individuality of a company – and their brand values.

The Rolf stand, which was first launched at opti in January 2025, is welcoming and approachable with an open-plan modular design which uses minimal materials and interchangeable graphics and plants, making it easy to update and pack away or transport. The Rolf team designed the concept in-house. Find out more at https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/01/award-winning-natural-eyewear-brand-rolf-heads-to-munich/ – above, the ROLF stand at opti 2026, customised with a new campaign for the launch of substance aura – www.rolf-spectacles.com

Götti Switzerland: this year the brand presented the new collection Haute Contour inside their converted shipping container

For some years, Götti Switzerland has combined the use of a container – designed as an exhibition space and painted black – alongside an open plan area for meeting and greeting customers. The frames displayed in the container are arranged so that the feel of the space is that of a gallery. Additional displays in the ope plan space next to the container showcase the eyewear beautifully using back-lit wall stands matching those inside the container. www.gotti.ch

You Mawo: a fascinating architectural structure for the brand’s 10th anniversary

Celebrating 10 years, the 3D printed eyewear company You Mawo launched a new stand concept this weekend, bringing the wow factor to opti. The organic shape of the “layered” architectural concept and its striking natural colour – was one of the highlights of the show. On the inside of the stand, a 10th anniversary “exhibition” showcased the German brand’s early 3D printed prototypes and frames from various collections through the years. The folded form of the booth provided an inspiring backdrop for the launch of the new collection, Formation. www.youmawo.com

SILMO Paris - The Optical Fair. 25th - 28th September 2026

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

The Raydiant stand at opti – a recycled shipping container

3D printed eyewear brand, Raydiant also showcased their collection in a customised shipping container, with a display of frames on the exterior and an interior offering modular seating for meetings. Repurposed shipping containers have become quite popular as a sustainable choice for architectural use – both in commercial projects and domestic builds where architects are stacking them to create a wide range of buildings. Raydiant Eyewear is an innovator in the field of 3D printed eyewear showcasing a magnetic clip system. Their latest collection features a noteworthy high-quality surface pattern effect. https://raydiant.de

This feature was written by Clodagh Norton. Not using AI. Copyright applies.

Sustainable design

Paloceras: 3D printed limited collections “made in Helsinki”

14th January 2026

The brand has created its own “MicroFactory” in Finland to be able to support new forms, bespoke work and artist-led collections

Paloceras has created a new set-up for the small-scale production of some of its most creative models, and invested in new technology by Genera, a pioneer in the development of 3D printing systems – from Austria. Describing it as a “MicroFactory”, the eyewear brand has successfully implemented the technology for printing the coloured material alongside a complete system for hand finishing (as well as polishing/tumbling) the frames in the traditional way allowing for complete control in-house. Alexis Perron-Corriveau, Design Director told Eyestylist: “The MicroFactory is for the production of a part of our collection: the manufacturing of the more experimental pieces. Hydroceras, and two other projects coming up – obviously this is separate from our main line and the Pebble Sun and Optical collections. We received a grant from the Finnish government and we were able to install the machines in September – and hired a full-time industrial designer who has expertise in 3D printing….it’s super interesting for us as we are not limited by traditional manufacturing techniques. We can do crazy frames and a lot of things are possible with this. It gives us another edge. In our core acetate collections we are also using some technologies that have just been developed – that’s the press moulding of the acetate to create inflated shapes. With the new investment and the MicroFactory, again we feel we are able to do something very different, pushing eyewear design even further. We can say we are already planning to acquire an additional new machine from Genera that will allow us to use custom colours on the spot.”

Paloceras production in Finland: “in the coming years, you will see production of this type becoming more common…” Alexis Perron-Corriveau

Paloceras will exhibit officially for the first time at MIDO 2026. The team told Eyestylist that they have a major new launch coming as well as other new projects to be revealed in the next weeks. They said: “We are looking forward to meeting our retail customers, some who we have never met face to face. We are both looking forward to meeting people who are interested in our product as we believe it is so different from anything that is exhibited at Mido or Silmo. So we will be excited to make new connections and show the product and see people smile.”

About Paloceras – Founded in Switzerland with creative roots in Finland and Portugal, Paloceras is an independent eyewear house set up by Alexis Perron-Corriveau, Design Director and Mika Matikainen, Creative Director. As praised by Vogue, Elle, Grazia, and Elite Daily, each Paloceras creation blends digital precision with hand-finished craftsmanship and draws on a rich visual language shaped by nature, memory, and quiet rebellion. Find out more: www.paloceras.com

Design + Inspiration

theo eyewear: inspired by the subtle definition of make up

3rd January 2026

theo’s latest release is inspired by the art of make up and its powers of enhancing our features and gaze – to highlight who you are

The new frame series by theo is conceived like make up as pure expression, with the ability to add subtle definition to our facial features – without taking over or overpowering the face. The collection features titanium and acetate, combining precision and lightness with layers of warmth and texture for the ultimate expression. Each of the five frames has been built in “visual layers”, telling a story and creating an interplay of soft details and bold design – in combination colours.

The “make up” designs are built in visual layers and finished with a “recognizable theo twist” – playful, unexpected, and always expressive. They include a soft round shape, a cat-eye, a panto, a geometric shape and a modified square with rounded corners. The selection of colour contrasts make the face feel alive, without ever going too far, in combinations that are typical of the brand: pink and red, bright blue and yellow, neon green and tortoise or tone-on-tone bright blue. Find out more at www.theo.be

Design + Inspiration

Our most popular interview features of 2025….

30th December 2025

This year, Eyestylist has interviewed designers, changemakers and retailers from across the world. This content explores current trends in optical retailing as well as the directions in independent eyewear design, from different perspectives. We have been fortunate to be able to highlight some exceptional entrepreneurial designers, innovators, opticians and changemakers….throughout the year. Here are the top 6 interviews, the most read on our website, and with the most clicks on social…

1.. Margaux Darrigade and Sophie Mailles, La Belle Vue Opticien (pictured above)

“We opened the store in May 2021, in the Pédebert park in Soorts-Hossegor,” says Margaux and Sophie with pride and excitement. “We have been opticians for 16 and 14 years respectively. We worked together in an optical shop for 8 years before becoming partners….Read the 2025 Eyestylist feature: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/11/french-optical-boutique-la-belle-vue-opticien-sw-france/

2. Alexis Perron-Corriveau and Mika Matikainen, Founders, Paloceras

The emerging eyewear house, Paloceras is quietly establishing itself on the global fashion map. In May 2025, the brand marked a significant milestone with a launch in New York, unveiling two new silhouettes in its acclaimed Pebble collection, alongside a striking palette of new colours and combinations across the entire range. The eyewear brand tells us they have new things coming in the early part of 2026, and will be exhibiting at MIDO for the very first time…read the Eyestylist feature: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/05/alexis-perron-corriveau-and-mika-matikainen-founders-paloceras/

3. Xenia Glutz von Blotzheim, Co-Founder, Frame the Future

Xenia Glutz von Blotzheim works as an impact consultant and she has co-founded the industry initiative “Frame the Future.” She supports companies in weaving sustainability into their brand management and business models. At MYKITA, she still leads the corporate responsibility strategy and CSR communications, driving the company’s transformation into a sustainability pioneer in the eyewear industry. Read the 2025 Eyestylist interview: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/11/xenia-glutz-von-blotzheim-co-founder-frame-the-future/

4. Carlo Sestini, Sestini

Independent eyewear label, SESTINI was created in 2020 by entrepreneur/influencer, Carlo Sestini. Made by artisans in Italy, the eponymous eyewear collection has a prestigious luxury design adhering to the finest levels of quality. With pieces created as collectibles, honouring craftsmanship, traditional techniques and Italian expertise, the designs have a freshness and elegance that feels discreet and yet perfectly curated. Eyestylist met Carlo at The Dorchester in London in December 2025 to learn more about Sestini and the story behind the creation of the brand. Read the 2025 Eyestylist feature at https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/12/carlo-sestini-sestini/

5. Gaëtan Gaye, Alpagota

Gaëtan Gaye is a Belgian entrepreneur, brand builder and business developer in the field of modern luxury. With a background in the fine watchmaking industry, where he worked for one of the world’s three leading luxury groups, he draws on his 15 years of expertise to further enhance the eyewear experience and its desirability. His scented eyewear formulas under the brand Alpagota have caught the imagination of luxury optical retailers worldwide, delivering a brand new experience to aficionados of fine frames. Read the 2025 Eyestylist interview: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/09/gaetan-gaye-alpagota/

6. Carola Nomden, Ørgreen

Carola Nomden is an eyewear designer with a wealth of experience in the optical field, previously working at SAFILO and Prada. She is known for her creative expertise and modern, cosmopolitan aesthetic, particularly in sunglasses. Carola has joined Ørgreen as the Danish company brings together a creative team to rival many of Europe’s finest. Eyestylist asked her to share her perspective on her work and creative passion. Read the 2025 Eyestylist interview: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/01/carola-nomden-on-joining-orgreen-optics/

Reviews

Round eyewear: Morel x Jean Nouvel

27th December 2025

More than five years ago, the French eyewear company, MOREL launched a collaboration with French architect, Jean Nouvel. The partnership marked a deliberate crossing of disciplines, translating architectural excellence into optical design through pared-back forms, precise lines and a focus on material quality.

This season marks a new episode in the relationship between MOREL and Jean Nouvel as the latest collaboration collection, marked by round eyewear with a “bold and assertive” character, launches. With architecture-inspired round shapes and bold lines, combined with subtlety in titanium and acetate, each piece is designed to balance structure with a contemporary design language.

MOREL par Jean Nouvel – the collaboration is in its 6th year

Compared with previous models in the line, these new styles feature thinner profiles and a bold new colour palette with the highlighted tones, fir green and teal blue, and terracotta for the titanium models. There are also softer, more masculine tones for acetate, presented in a range of elegant natural browns, a new alternative to Nouvel’s signature colour, black. Find out more about MOREL par Jean Nouvel at https://www.eyestylist.com/2024/11/morel-par-jean-nouvel-the-latest-collection-has-arrived/