Eyestylist was privileged to explore the eyewear collections at the annual MIDO fair in Milan. The fair highlighted a wealth of new creativity and innovation in a busy, high-energy, enjoyable show experience – exclusive content by EYESTYLIST.COM
Designers are embracing new design techniques, highly developed technical competencies, state-of-the-art materials in cool combinations and an ever-inspiring artistic language in terms of key techniques such as bevelling or sculpting the frame, often mixing different materials in unique designs. Exciting concepts, contemporary handcrafted details and new colour palettes were on display at the Mido fair, inspired by many different imaginative sources and ideas, from beyond the eyewear segment itself.
Highlights from the independent designers and brands included new launches by RIGARDS, whose collection included a new bold and assured co-branded frame with Ziggy Chen – www.rigards.com; a new collection by Italia Independent, the first produced with MODO Group, under the direction of Lapo Elkann, founder of the brand; a brand-new 3D printed collection by Götti Switzerland called Bubbly in the Götti Dimension range; an outstanding new collection from the Italian brand MOVITRA which pays special attention to performance and accomplished technical detail; new incredibly lightweight readers from Swiss start-up, read on; the official launch of Bayria’s Arts & Crafts Collection at the event, and exquisite material innovation at Nina Mûr from Spain who introduced their CLAY collection in Milan. Above: GIGI Studios’ model Elma in the stylish VANGUARD collection for Spring/Summer 2024 – the Spanish brand reported a very successful Mido event – www.gigistudios.com
Among several new product releases revealed in Milan, MOVITRA exhibited a brand-new edition of their iconic bestselling Error404, a design named after the Error Code that appears on websites. The iconic bi-colour Error404 sunglasses style has always been a model that represents the very essence and identity of the Milanese eyewear brand. The new frame, which has a round eyeshape, has been created in two new contemporary colours for 2024, Black, Crystal Brown with Bronze toned lenses or Black, Mirrored Crystal Blue with Blue lenses. Particular features of this all-acetate model are the scratched-effect of the front, which combines with acetate temples with MOVITRA’s patented bar behind. www.movitra.it
A new collaboration edition by Kaleos was introduced at the Mido fair. The eyewear brand has worked with HEY for this modular concept, a creative studio in Barcelona who are known for their use of colour and irreverent visual code. www.kaleoscollection.com
The new Bubbly collection by Götti Switzerland consists of two sunglasses (Ilana and Play) and two optical models (Ivie and Ivon). The lightweight 3D printed styles have striking aesthetics which explore fluidity and organic forms with surfaces that are tactile and soft. www.gotti.ch
The new line from Italia Independent introduced predominantly acetate sun and optical styles reinterpreted through details and, in some cases, treated with a metal-effect finish informed by the world of ’90s racing yachts.
The colour palette draws inspiration from the wardrobe of Lapo Elkann: the brightest shades such as Lapo Blue are flanked by fluorescent colours in transparent versions, as well as more traditional tones of grey, crystal and havana. https://italiaindependent.com
At Mido, we saw a significant trend towards experimenting with combinations of materials, colours, surfaces and transparency. The new Bayria collection had several examples, such as the model Utinum which features a crystal bridge and crystal as a lining to the natural green translucent angular front. https://bayriaeyewear.com
Eyestylist observed many trends at the Mido fair and this article is intended as a first view of some of the directions in 2024 : further developments will be gradually highlighted in the weeks ahead across our Eyestylist platform. The next MIDO will take place 8th to 10th February, 2025. www.mido.com