Design & Inspiration

Parisian independent eyewear brand: FACE A FACE continues celebrations with new F collection

21st August 2025

SILMO PREVIEW: The styles for Autumn/Winter highlight heritage, innovation and the brand’s French roots

Parisian independent eyewear brand – As part of its anniversary celebrations, FACE A FACE launches an eyewear collection where concepts blend “to shape a new vision.” Signature use of bold colours, a mix of crystal and saturated colours and playful elements which explore retro and futuristic influences converge in a series of frames with names that all begin with the letter F. The release follows the launch of the FACES sunglasses – an iconic limited edition design that FACE A FACE announced earlier in the year (https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/03/face-a-face-reveals-anniversary-collaboration-in-new-york/). Above: the geometric Forest 2 model by FACE A FACE: the frame takes its inspiration from nature, the intertwining of branches and lines that become visible through the dense forest canopy. The style comes in lovely contemporary colour combinations including a forest green with crystal and light pink

Futur 1 by FACE A FACE, the Parisian independent eyewear brand

For the optical model Futur 1, pixel colours are suitably expressive and emotive…bringing a high-impact look to a thick rimmed geometric style. Model Flicker 2 is in keeping with the geometric theme and features a modified square eye shape and stepped temples. The design plays with retro details, making them fresh and bold through sharp angles, vibrant hues and interesting tonal combinations.

100% Optical 28 FEB - 2 MAR 2026, Excel London

FACE A FACE announces in the release that the French origin of its frames is now officially certified with the OFG (the ‘Origine France Garantie’ product ‘guarantee’ of quality and authentic French origin). FACE A FACE is part of Design Eyewear Group and exhibits annually at SILMO Paris. Find out more about the Parisian ndependent eyewear brand at: www.faceaface-paris.com

Design & Inspiration

US independent brand: Ogi Eyewear preview

18th August 2025

The US independent brand – part of the Optical Foundry – is launching a collection of men’s and women’s frames where combos and colour mixes surprise and delight

“Independent eyewear doesn’t follow trends, it shapes them,” says David Duralde, Chief Creative Officer of The Optical Foundry. “Our Fall 2025 collections are purpose built for optical professionals who want frames that tell a story, connect with clients, and keep them coming back.”

At OGI, playful geometry and witty colour pairings meet confident gesture. Ogi says that model Parka, with its cupcake-shaped acetate front in vivid triple-toned laminations, and Mini Soda, a butterfly silhouette blending perky pops of colour with grounding tortoise, embody the brand’s fearless embrace of personality. Oh Shucks proves that metals can be fun, with precisely hand-painted lines adding intrigue from every angle. Above: model Parka by OGI Eyewear, statement design and colour

Mini Soda by OGI Eyewear: exciting colour combinations

In addition, model ‘Mini Soda’ plays with a chic, easy-to-wear cat eye shape with a tri-coloured frame front. The frame comes in three colour variations including this light blush tone with neon pink and red details. The frame is named after a brand of soda manufactured in Minnesota, the home of the eyewear brand.

Autumn 2025 collection: Oh Shucks by OGI Eyewear – hand painted rim decorations are a feature

For men, the Oh Shucks frame has a unique look thanks to the bold square shape and sleek narrow rims in contrasting colours. Furthermore, the variation above features a brown line on the inner rim and a light blue tone around the outer edges, making for a dazzling effect on the face.

The US independent brand OGI Eyewear is designed in America and produced in Japan. The brand offers a special Virtual Try-On experience which is integrated via Safari on Apple devices. Find out more about the collection or try it on for size : www.ogieyewear.com

Design & Inspiration

Vera Wang Eyewear on the streets of NYC

11th August 2025

The campaign, featuring the 76 year-old world-class fashion designer, is posted in iconic spots across NYC

Fashion designer Vera Wang has long been a devotee of quality statement eyewear with a glamorous feminine spirit. This year the designer stars in a bold campaign shot by Till Janz, styled (as is typical of the designer) by herself and featuring the eyewear in her acclaimed Haute collection. The Vera team saw immediate creative potential in plastering campaign imagery across the same city streets where it was originally shot—adding a layer of contextual storytelling and urban relevance.

The campaign also aligns with the eyewear producer Kenmark’s annual marketing strategy, they say “to offer retailers and buyers a timely boost in brand visibility during a high-traffic selling season”. Above: the latest Vera Wang Eyewear campaign, showcased through a visually striking ‘wild posting activation’ across Manhattan this month

58th St and Lexington Avenue – Vera Wang Eyewear campaign – August 2025

Across the imagery, the eyewear is shot to highlight the collection’s refined silhouettes and architectural edge – in imagery in black and white. Hair by Jon DeFranc and makeup by Marla Belt round out the polished, editorial aesthetic—striking the perfect balance between high fashion and street-level cool. The images appear on 58th St and Lexington Avenue, as well as Broadway / Franklin St and 86th Street / 1st Ave.

Find out more about Vera Wang Eyewear – produced by Kenmark, at www.kenmarkeyewear.com

Images provided by kind permission of Kenmark Eyewear.

Design & Inspiration

3D printed eyewear: YOUMAWO’s vision in 2025

10th August 2025

Founded in 2016, the German-based eyewear company YOUMAWO is an innovator in the production of customised 3D printed eyewear – created using high-quality polyamide powder and selective laser sintering (SLS). Developing every part of the process from scratch, YOUMAWO has created a totally unique form of fully customised eyewear built according to the wearer’s data via a process that has been thoroughly streamlined for the ultimate “custom fit”.

Daniel Miko is Head of Design, Product and Development at YOUMAWO, and one of the founding members of the company. We asked him to reflect on the company’s evolution and journey so far.

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You are one of the original founders of YOUMAWO. Can you talk us through the original intent of YOUMAWO and how you reflect on this now in 2025. The founding idea behind YOUMAWO was driven by a simple but powerful observation: every human face is unique — in shape, size, and proportion — and yet the eyewear industry had been working for decades with standardized sizes and rigid design processes. We wanted to change that.

Our goal from day one was to create a world where eyewear is not only responsibly produced, but also truly tailored to the individual. That’s why our guiding principle has always been: “Faces come in billions of shapes and sizes. Eyewear should do the same.”

Looking back now in 2025, this vision is more relevant than ever. Technological advancements, especially in 3D scanning and additive manufacturing, have allowed us to stay true to this core idea — not just in theory, but in practice. And that’s something we’re incredibly proud of. Above: YOUMAWO model Dione, clean lines for a modern, elegant finish

Hallerbos by YOUMAWO: a panto style with a flat top line and a keyhole bridge

Over the years, what design steps / innovations / or products have you been most proud of and why. There are several aspects of our work that we’re especially proud of. From a design perspective, our Capsule Collections and the creations within the YOUNIVERSE have allowed us to push boundaries — both aesthetically and technically. These projects serve as a kind of experimental space where we test new materials, explore unconventional shapes, and reimagine what eyewear can be.

On the customization side, we’ve consistently challenged ourselves to improve our system. It’s not just about making custom eyewear accessible — it’s about refining every step of the user journey, from facial scanning to fit analysis to production. This constant questioning of the status quo is a defining part of our culture at YOUMAWO, and it’s something we see as essential to innovation.

Are we in a good place with the 3D printed eyewear offer already in 2025, or do you think there is a lot more potential and design innovation to come, particularly seeing as smart glasses are also back in the headlines this year? We’ve definitely come a long way, and the level of sophistication in 3D-printed eyewear today is remarkable — especially in terms of material quality, precision, and individualization. But we believe we’re still just scratching the surface.

Leda by YOUMAWO: a round classic 3D printed style

Additive manufacturing offers unmatched flexibility when it comes to design freedom and personalization, and we see tremendous untapped potential — especially when it comes to integrating technology. Smart glasses are back in the spotlight, and the convergence of custom fit and smart functionality is a space where we see unique opportunities. Our manufacturing approach enables us to create solutions that are not just smart, but also comfortable, stylish, and truly tailored to the wearer — something mass-produced smart glasses often lack, that’s why we see plenty of room for smart glasses to give them the comfort they need.

Do you feel that 3D printed eyewear has gained more recognition in the last couple of years as a prestige design product? Absolutely. There’s a growing appreciation for the possibilities that additive manufacturing brings to the world of high-end eyewear. What was once seen as a niche or experimental approach is now being embraced by more and more designers — and even luxury brands — as a serious, forward-thinking production method.

We’re seeing the perception shift: 3D-printed frames are no longer just about technical innovation — they’re being recognized for their design value, for their sustainable production process, and for their ability to offer a truly personal product.

AI TWO by YOUMAWO – produced in a limited edition of just 50 pieces. This design leverages the potential of AI, according to YOUMAWO. A specially developed algorithm was used – capturing a flowing wave structure.

Has the introduction of AI opened up doors for your work at YOUMAWO and if so how? Yes, AI has become an increasingly valuable tool in many areas of our work. We’re especially intrigued by its potential in the design process. Rather than replacing creative thinking, we see AI as a kind of sparring partner — one that allows us to challenge our ideas, discover unexpected forms, and introduce new dynamics into our design language.

Beyond design, we also see potential in areas like fit optimization, customer interaction, and even predictive personalization — helping us to better understand what people need before they even realize it themselves. We’re still in the early stages, but the possibilities are truly exciting.

In 2025, can you reveal what has been your favourite design project so far and why. In 2025, we’ve really focused on going back to our roots — questioning who we are as YOUMAWO and what defines our design language. We reflected deeply on our core, and that was truly great — it gave us a clearer picture of who we are and what makes us unique.

What are you working on this month and are you preparing something special for Autumn/Winter 2025/26? We’re currently working on several projects. And yes, of course we have something planned for Autumn/Winter — but we’re not revealing it just yet. We want to keep it exciting!

Finally, what are your passions outside YOUMAWO? How do you spend precious ‘time out’?

Outside of YOUMAWO, my greatest passions revolve around family and movement. Spending quality time with my loved ones grounds me, while running and cycling open up the world in new and unexpected ways. Whether it’s a quiet forest path or a winding mountain road, these moments of motion allow me to recharge, reflect, and constantly discover new places — and perspectives.

Find out more about YOUMAWO’s innovative customised eyewear at www.youmawo.com

Design & Inspiration

Hall of Frames event returns: September 2025

28th July 2025

The popular independent eyewear event, Hall of Frames (HOF), which is held annually in Lucerne, Switzerland, is back in September

Independent eyewear event, Hall of Frames will take place on 14th September at the Museum of Transport in Lucerne. Returning exhibitors include Coblens, Ørgreen Optics, Didier Voirol, J.F. Rey, Nirvan Javan, MOSCOT, ROLF and YOUMAWO, among others. Nikon will be supporting the event as its main partner. Dynoptic, Beck Optikhandel, Studio Arenas and Contedi will also contribute as partners. Known for its successful showcase of independent eyewear, by well established and young emerging creative eyewear labels, the event offers an attractive atmosphere for independent opticians that is relaxed, welcoming and ideal for networking, conversation and discovering new ideas. The organisers of the show put special emphasis on providing an authentic platform where discovering high-quality eyewear is both pleasurable and informative with plenty of inspirational design, sustainable collections, luxury editions, 3D printed frames and artisanal frames produced in exclusive materials.

Exhibiting for the first time is the French luxury brand, PONTET, one of the most desirable emerging luxury collections to come out of France for some time. Above: PONTET Eyewear / model Pepe from the Turkey collection, a distinctive oversized optical style which expresses the audacious and resolutely contemporary signature style of designer, Hermes Pontet

ROLF will exhibit at Hall of Frames 2025 – there are more than 40 brands exhibiting this year at the event, including several award-winning sustainable labels

“The Hall of Frames is more than just a trade fair – it’s a statement for independent opticians. The large number of early sign-ups has proven that our industry is vibrant, creative, and open to fresh inspiration.” Nathanaël Wenger, founder and organiser of HOF

Ørgreen Optics – Megahertz in the Quantum High collection – a fine example of a 3D printed + beta titanium temple combination frame by the Danish eyewear company.

About Hall of Frames : For around 15 years, the Hall of Frames (HOF) has been supporting independent opticians and eyewear designers. Each year, a curated selection of Swiss and international eyewear brands present their latest collections at this ‘tabletop’ fair, which features both established names and promising newcomers. HOF offers comprehensive insights into current trends and innovations in the optical industry and serves as an important meeting point for professionals in the Swiss eyewear market.

List of exhibitors: Black Icon, Bolle, BRETT Eyewear, Carven, Catch London, Centrostyle Active, Coblens, Colibris, Didier Voirol, Einstoffen, Eleven Paris, Feb31st, Feller, Hendrix, Jooly, Look, Marcus Marienfeld, MC Swiss Eyewear, Milo & Me, Morel, Morgan Davies, MD1888, Moscot NYC, New York Yankees, Nine Eyewear, Nirvan Javan, Oxibis, Ørgreen Optics, Paul & Joe, Pontet Eyewear, Popcorn, Reykjavik Eyes, ROLF, Serengeti, SNOB Milano, Tom Davies, Wollenweber Hornlinie, Woodys, and YOUMAWO.

Hall of Frames will welcome a host of specialist eyewear brands this year from a number of different countries including France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, UK and Spain. For opticians who wish to visit the show, more information is available about the venue at the HOF website at www.hallofframes.ch