Eyestylist

Person with Long White Hair Wearing a Blue Pinstripe Suit and Brown-tinted Glasses Sits in a White Chair, Looking at the Camera.  | Eyestylist 29th June 2026

Celeb-endorsement: building an enduring alignment

Independent eyewear brands continue to choose influential creative figures (creatives such as actors, writers and musicians),  to endorse their products and bring them fresh recognition and credibility as purveyors of good taste. Beyond the mainstream, these partnerships can offer a more authentic and enduring form of endorsement, carefully aligned with the values and aspirations of the most discerning eyewear consumer

Eyewear brands in the independent sector are increasingly taking this very considered approach to celebrity endorsement, selecting personalities whose authenticity, values and cultural relevance create a genuine emotional connection while expressing a quieter aspirational vision of good taste.  The faces in new campaigns by Linda Farrow (UK), Götti Switzerland and Kaleos (Spain) perfectly illustrate this direction (although there are many other examples in 2026), placing focus on well-known individuals with interesting personal stories or career paths and a believable connection with the collection and products themselves.

In fashion, the right creative partnership can elevate a collection and bring it attention from new connections and important audiences. This season, the UK’s luxury eyewear  brand Linda Farrow has launched a campaign for their Iconic Collection – fronted by fashion icon Sarah Harris, the influential editor whose work has helped shape titles including British Vogue and, more recently, EE72. Known for her timeless aesthetic and discerning eye, Harris embodies the spirit of the collection, inspired by the luxury brand’s earliest models of the 1970s. The campaign illustrates her wearing the two new aviator silhouettes in the Edition, the Skye and the Taya. She describes the designs as “something that’s going to be in my wardrobe for the next 5, 10, 20 years.” She explains: “I’m excited to partner with Linda Farrow to celebrate the launch of the new Iconic Collection. Rooted in craftsmanship and designed with longevity in mind, these are pieces made to stay in your wardrobe for years, not just seasons — something that aligns perfectly with how I approach style.” Above:  Sarah Harris for Linda Farrow – The Iconic Collection

Kim Pham in the new Götti Switzerland campaign, “Never not in style since 1998”. The Campaign highlights style as an expression of identity, culture and self-realisation

Based on the idea that style is something deeply personal and unique to every individual, the new campaign by Götti encourages reflection on what style means, how it shapes identity, and influences everyday life. Through cinematic portraits, the project celebrates individuality while reaffirming Götti’s longstanding commitment to timeless design and personal expression.

The project centres on four Swiss protagonists from the worlds of film, architecture, photography, and music – actor and singer Carlos Leal, architect Jasmin Grego, photographer Kim Pham, and musician Luca – each of whom brings their own perspective on style, creativity, and identity. The company wanted their presence to “lend authenticity and timeless aesthetics”, underscoring the principle that style goes far beyond trends and fashion.

Shot by Swiss photographer Kostas Maros, this campaign employs a cinematic and painterly visual language characterized by soft lighting and dark tones. For the campaign, Kostas relied on the ALPA precision camera, which is manufactured in Switzerland. It is a medium-format camera primarily used for architectural photography. “I’ve been working with the Alpa for several years now, especially on personal artistic projects,” Kostas explained. “Most recently, I was honored at the 2026 Swiss Press Award for a portrait series of people swimming in the river Rhine, which I photographed with the ALPA. Until now, I had never used the ALPA for commercial work. It’s a very deliberate and slow way of working – the number of images produced is much lower, and the process becomes more focused and conscious. The campaign revolves around four personalities who engage with the theme of style. By featuring figures from the fields of art, architecture, photography, and music – all of whom share authentic and personal perspectives while embodying certain values – the campaign achieves a natural authenticity and a credible aesthetic.” www.gotti.ch

Javier Rey for Kaleos

At Kaleos, the Spanish actor Javier Rey features in a campaign for the summer capsule, “Variations”. Their press release said: “With his natural magnetism and understated presence, Javier Rey embodies the spirit of the capsule with ease. He brings precision, restraint, and quiet confidence to a collection designed for those who understand that style is often shaped by the smallest decisions.” The frames in this line offer classic forms with refined shifts in proportion, finish and character. Matt and glossy acetates come together in a palette of tones that is elegant and “quietly bold.” www.kaleoscollection.com

This feature was written by Clodagh Norton. All rights reserved.

| Eyestylist 25th June 2026

Eyewear collaboration: OKUDA x Nina Mûr

Fusing two creative worlds in an exclusive eyewear release of 50 pieces: KROMATIKE

A new limited-edition collection by Nina Mûr has been designed with the Spanish painter, sculptor and designer, OKUDA San Miguel in a celebration of creative freedom, individuality and the transformative power of colour. Created for those who see design – and eyewear – as a form of self-expression and art as an attitude towards life, the frames in the edition have all the distinctive traits of Nina Mûr frames fused with the iconic three-dimensional elements present in the creative universe of OKUDA. These elements have been reinterpreted for the frames, through applications of coloured resin in 3D. The detail is incorporated into the distinctive nature of the collection, bringing volume, texture and a striking one-of-a-kind  visual identity to the frames. Above: Lorena Serrano of Nina Mûr and OKUDA San Miguel 

KROMATIKE by OKUDA x Nina Mûr

“At Nina Mûr, we share a commitment to authenticity, innovation and creative freedom. We see eyewear as more than an object: an extension of identity and a powerful way to express how we see, experience and engage with the world…” Lorena Serrano, Nina Mûr 

Colorful novelty sunglasses with a yellow frame, pink tinted lenses, and rainbow spikes along the sides and front.
Coloured resin detailing features on the new  KROMATIKE styles

Made in Nina Mûr’s studio in Madrid, each KROMATIKE frame has been produced with a careful selection of colours and laminations, some of them designed exclusively for this project, creating chromatic combinations that translate the artist’s characteristic visual language into the product.

The collection is composed of a single frame shape available in various colour combinations, produced in a limited and numbered edition of 50: in Black (5 pieces); Green (5 pieces); Yellow (5 pieces); White (5 pieces); fluo Yellow (5 pieces); fluo Pink (5 pieces); Red (5 pieces); Pink (5 pieces); Orange (5 pieces); and Purple (5 pieces). Once sold out, additional production runs are planned. Pre-order from 1st July 2026. www.ninamur.com

About the artist / OKUDA San Miguel is a world-renowned painter and sculptor known for his distinctive style of colourful geometric patterns that portray headless animals, skulls, religious icons and bodies without identity. His works often raise questions about existentialism, the universe, the meaning of life, and “the contradictions of society’s false freedom showing a conflict between modernity and our roots”: ultimately between man and the same. OKUDA San Miguel was born in Santander, Spain and began his career as a graffiti artist around 1997. Find out more about the artist at www.okudasanmiguel.com

Link to video of the artist and eyewear designer in conversation: https://ninamur.com/okuda-kromatike/

Close-up of a Woman Wearing Oversized Brown Sunglasses Against a Marble Wall Backdrop.  | Eyestylist 23rd June 2026

Trends for summer 2026: sculptural oval sunglasses

Oval sunglasses inspired by the 1990s continue to be a feature of the independent eyewear collections. The most alluring styles from independent designers are sculptural with subtle curves and definition in the eye-catching detailing and handcrafted bevelling

A feminine classic, worn by icons and adored by designers, the oval sunglasses style is a summer essential again this year. Reemerging as a favourite shape for  several seasons, this summer the style comes in interesting sculptural iterations, with playful layering and thicker constructions creating a new distinctive character in each look. Above: Tanger by Lafont Paris

Red oval sunglasses with brown gradient lenses, front view and arms extended outward.
Tanger by Lafont Paris

Lafont Paris interprets the femininity of the oval style through its historic archives. Model Tanger is the latest in a long line of Lafont ovals, dating back through decades and produced in the Jura using traditional artisanal techniques. Like the collector’s Pacifique and the layered or “sculpted” Electre before it, model Tanger is a striking model this season – a celebration of femininity with a distinguished retro feel that conveys the brand’s rich heritage. Historic creative eyewear brands such as Lafont Paris continue to develop creative eyewear collections by means of their close and long-standing relationship with their makers in the Jura and a fastidious attention to specialist design concepts with fine workmanship to interpret every nuance and detail with precision. Find out more at www.lafont.com

Selima Optique has a legacy of styling eyewear icons; Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wore Selima sunglasses in the 1990s – model Carolyn, pictured, is based on the original Aldo oval sunglasses

One of the most influential oval-shaped styles of the 1990s – the Aldo by Selima Optique – has had an enduring success. The original model Aldo was worn by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy at the time, and became her signature eyewear shape. The Carolyn sunglasses, based on the original Aldo were worn by the actress playing Carolyn – Sarah Pidgeon –  in the 2026 TV series Love Story. This frame comes in a variety of colours including auburn tortoise and classic black. www.selimaoptique.com

Pink plastic sunglasses with rounded lenses, viewed from front-left on a white background.
Cal Akoya by the Belgian brand Komono, an oval lens in a modified oval-cateye design – an example of a trendy, thick-rimmed, structural acetate piece

Cal Akoya by Komono is part of “Turritella”, an edition that celebrates vibrant colour, fluid forms and the power of creativity rooted in nature. These frames have curves, contours and details with an organic look inspired by Turritella shells – the elongated tower shells that have a distinctive twisted effect.   www.komono.com

This feature is by Clodagh Norton / www.eyestylist.com. We selected three frames by independent eyewear brands to reflect the current popularity of the sculptural oval-shaped eyewear designs. AI was not used in the process. All rights reserved.

Exterior Shopfront with a Dark Green Vertical Sign Bearing White Letters Next to a Glass Display Window and Dried Flower Decor Inside.  | Eyestylist 19th June 2026

Bottega di Sguardi + Akoni – for Pitti Uomo

Bottega di Sguardi hosts the brand during Pitti Uomo

Akoni Eyewear has made an appearance at Bottega di Sguardi in Florence during Pitti Uomo. They describe the shop as a concept store “that shares Akoni’s vision of research, authenticity, and meticulous attention to detail”. Founded by Simone Ghedini, the store was conceived as a space that transcends the traditional optical boutique, bringing together aesthetics, product culture, and research in an authentic and thoughtfully curated environment. Above: Bottega di Sguardi in Florence, Italy – promoting Akoni during Pitti Uomo

Akoni highlighted at Bottega di Sguardi for Pitti Uomo – 2026

“I felt connected to Akoni from the very beginning. I admire its ability to interpret luxury through balance, detail, and depth. It is a sensibility that closely reflects the way I envision Bottega Di Sguardi.” — Simone Ghedini

Taking place during Pitti Uomo, A Refined Start, the title of the event, offered an opportunity to connect with the Akoni universe and share a moment with a community described as being united by an interest in design and eyewear quality. Find out more about the store at https://www.bottegadisguardi.com

Woman with Braided Hair and Sunglasses Rests Against a Surfboard Under a Blue Sky, Ready to Surf.  | Eyestylist 18th June 2026

OTIS Eyewear: style with substance

The Australian eyewear brand, OTIS Eyewear has added more styles – now available also in Europe, designed to transcend the boundaries between style, durability, sustainability and technical excellence. OTIS is B Corp Certified

Founded in Yallingup, Western Australia, the independent brand, OTIS creates designs suitable for sports and the great outdoors, as well as for everyday city living. The focus for OTIS has always been on delivering style with substance, and a noteworthy commitment to sustainable design. “We really try to stay away from fast-fashion trends that only last a few months,” says Nathan Omodei, Director & CEO of OTIS. “Our focus has always been on creating timeless designs that outlast seasonal shifts and stay relevant for years to come. Our goal is to deliver frames that add genuine value to our customers’ lives and adventures, combining durability, comfort, and classic style.” Above: Birdie by OTIS Eyewear

Chorus by OTIS Eyewear – a stylish outdoor solution by the sustainable independent  eyewear brand

Their latest seasonal collection continues to deliver crowd favourites like the Swiss grilamid design for men, model After Dark from their debut season, as well as adding further appeal with a mix of both fashion and active frames.
The collection includes premium acetate and fashion-forward designs such as new style, Birdie (top), and the clean, crisp, and quietly confident model Chorus (above), a reworking of  the iconic wayfarer shape crafted from certified biodegradable Eco-Acetate.

Close-up of a hand gripping black sunglasses with reflective lenses, outdoors on rocky ground.
Vanta by OTIS Eyewear – with LIT Lens technology – designed to wear for outdoor activities such as fishing, trekking and surfing

For those who seek a sports design OTIS highlights their Vanta Sport style this season. Built for the elements, this active frame features OTIS’s signature LIT Lens technology, built on scratch-resistant mineral glass. The LIT Lens boosts natural colours, increases contrast, and cuts glare. A pinnacle visual experience

LIT Lens technology at OTIS Eyewear / Light Improvement Technology is the next evolution in OTIS Mineral Glass lenses. The new L.I.T. lens offers clarity through colour enhancement. The exclusive Light Improvement Technology lifts primary colours in one’s surroundings while blocking out inter-primary shades to make vision more vivid and more precise. Find out more at www.otiseyewear.com