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.”

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

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

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

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

Sustainable design

Silmo Paris 2025: NINA MÛR previews Luminiers

22nd September 2025

SILMO PARIS 2025 preview: The Spanish independent brand’s capsule eyewear collection celebrates design as art

NINA MÛR’s Luminiers pays tribute to two groundbreaking movements that transformed the 20th century: the radical boldness and geometric irreverence of the Memphis Group, and the structural purity and poetic functionality of Bauhaus.

These spectacular designs are conceived as small pieces of architecture for the face. There are three distinctive silhouettes in the collection – each one exploring new forms of aesthetic, technical, and emotional expression. “Like miniature lamps or graphic pieces”, the glasses have been designed to challenge the boundary between the utilitarian and the artistic. Above and below: the new model Klee in the Luminiers Collection – showing at Silmo this weekend

Ziggy by NINA MÛR – one of three statement models in the new collection

Each model has its own name, its own soul, and a visual story where colour combinations surprise and unexpected geometries challenge the perception of eyewear design. The expressive model Lina, with an oval structure as its base shape, is inspired by Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, and blends structure and fluidity in a clean elegant silhouette. Model Ziggy, a vibrant hexagonal shape, plays with volume and colour from a rebellious and graphic perspective. Designed with square, poetic lines, model Klee evokes the lyrical abstraction of the artist, Paul Klee.

About NINA MÛR – NINA MÛR’s handmade small-batch eyewear collections use distinctive high-quality sustainable materials, transforming the glasses into objects of desire and contemplation—meant to be worn and displayed. Luminiers is the latest capsule by the brand, and will launch at SILMO Paris 2025. Presented not just as functional pieces but as emotion, identity and art, Luminiers is a collection that celebrates the intersection between gaze and object, everyday use and one-of-a-kind wearable art.

Each frame is created in refined natural materials and the signature lightweight birch wood material that is so loved by the brand. This material is sustainable, as well as having numerous functional properties including, lightness, durability, and high flexibility. The material colours beautifully, opening up a creative world where natural tones and brightly coloured shades can be explored like paints in an artist’s palette. NINA MÛR eyewear is designed by Lorena Serrano, Founder and Creative Director. Find our more about the history of the brand at https://www.eyestylist.com/2022/09/eyestylist-silmo-exclusive-nina-mur/ and visit the brand website at www.ninamur.com.

Sustainable design

3-D printed: Rolf is multi-award winner

2nd July 2025

Alongside two Red Dot awards, sustainable brand Rolf has been awarded the Green Product Award in 2025 for their 3-D printed frames.

In May 2025, Rolf Spectacles announced that they had won two Red Dot Awards, recognising Product Design and Sustainable Design, in their 3-D printed collection – Wire. These 3-D printed frames are minimal and refined in design, and have a number of particular features – from being completely screwless, the production process has been developed at Rolf so that CO₂ emissions have been minimised. The styling of the frames is recognised as modern, minimal and fresh – furthermore, the sustainable eyewear products are also produced locally in Austria using 100% green electricity. Above: the Rolf frame Rais won the Green Product Award 2025

Product Design Winner – Trik in the 3-D printed eyewear collection Wire – won a Red Dot Award

Adding to this success story in 2025, the company has announced that it also won the Green Product Award for 2025. This is an award that recognises particularly innovative, sustainable products. The winning product was the Rais in the Substance collection. The Rolf frame Rais is characterised by its unusual shape and sustainable production. The natural raw material is processed in powder form and fulfils all technical requirements. It is environmentally friendly, and also durable. Combined with Rolf’s patented Flexlock hinge, which enables a screwless construction, the result is a pair of glasses that are flexible and stable. The focus on local production and a shortened supply chain emphasise the brand’s commitment to environmentally conscious manufacturing.

A sustainable focus in everything ‘Sustainability is not just a trend at Rolf, but a fundamental attitude’, the team said in their statement. In addition to environmentally friendly production, Rolf invested in the renovation of their production facility in 2023. This development will save more than 81 tonnes of CO₂ per year. The company has also focused on ergonomic workstations and sustainable office equipment for the benefit of employees. For more information about Rolf’s awards through the years, visit their website at www.rolf-spectacles.com

For more information about Rolf on www.eyestylist.com click on the link: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/01/award-winning-natural-eyewear-brand-rolf-heads-to-munich/

Sustainable design

Glacier Optics: made in the Alps

16th June 2025

The “made in the Alps” sports eyewear label has released a video to highlight how their Glacier frames are created

Glacier Optics, a specialist sports eyewear label with a particular passion for high altitude activities, have released a new video to explain their production process and the work that goes into producing their frames “behind the scenes”. The label – co-founded by Arnaud Cottet and Benoit Goncourt, snow sports enthusiasts from Switzerland, works with the 30-year-old manufacturer, Lucal Lunettes in Oyonnax, France, and company owner / eyewear authority, Jean Calamand. Their frames even feature the maker’s name with the phrase ‘Fabriqué chez Jean’ featured inside the temple.

Jean Calamand of Lucal in Oyonnax, France – a third generation eyewear producer and innovator in French eyewear production – the company is zero waste

By collaborating with Jean, in the heart of the iconic French eyewear region, the Jura, the brand wishes to affirm its commitment to supporting local, dedicated and forward-thinking production for the creation of highly specialised sustainable sports products. At Lucal, spectacle-making techniques and know-how is passed from generation to generation. The designers and artisans working there today have traditional skills. Alongside this, they have real expertise in using cutting-edge technology – combining the two to create high-quality designs.

Pierredar sunglasses in production in Oyonnax

“By collaborating with Jean, at the heart of this iconic eyewear region, we are affirming our commitment to supporting local, dedicated and forward-thinking production. Because for us, that is what it means to be ‘made in the Alps'” Glacier Optics

Moiry sunglasses by Glacier Optics – removable side shields and Zeiss sun lenses – described as an all-rounder for sport and everyday wear

In 2025, the Glacier Optics product range includes sunglasses developed for a full range of sports in recycled stainless steel, titanium or a 3D printed material – PA12. Additionally, Glacier fits the models with high-quality protective Zeiss sun lenses and are accompanied by finely crafted accessories should the wearer require additional leather inserts or sunglass cords. Glacier Optics has also developed their own elegant Swiss made leather case locally in a collaboration with one of the last remaining tanners in Switzerland, Jürg Zeller. To watch the new video about the making of Glacier Optics frames visit: https://glacieroptics.com/blogs/journal/fabrique-chez-jean

Sustainable design

Award-winning natural eyewear brand, ROLF heads to Munich

29th January 2025

For the Spring/Summer 2025 season, ROLF expands their natural eyewear collection with 14 new styles in exquisite natural materials and cutting-edge 3D printed material derived from castor beans

These new designs will be unveiled for the first time at the OPTI event in Munich, showcasing fresh details, new colours, and innovative features for which the Austrian brand is well known. “The collection introduces new and refined models from the Substance Collection,” ROLF shared with Eyestylist. “We’re also debuting eyewear for children made from castor beans, fashionable sunglasses with inlays from the Mount Collection, and fresh pieces crafted from natural wood and stone.”

Above: Lotus by ROLF in the Fusion collection – this collection has won multiple awards including the PLUS X Award in 2024, recognised for Innovation, High Quality, Design, Ease of Use and Ecology – it also won ‘Gold’ in the Australian Good Design Awards.

ROLF: expertise in natural materials including wood

ROLF continues to craft frames from wood and natural horn, the materials that defined the brand’s beginnings over 15 years ago. “From the very start, we’ve been creating sustainable eyewear using natural materials and local production,” the team explained to Eyestylist. “Today, we’re constantly evolving our sustainability practices, deepening our understanding of sustainability in all its forms, and striving to improve each year.”

Evolved by ROLF: stone is spectacular as an eyewear material

Recent developments include operating the entire company on 100% green electricity and opening new offices designed to support employee health and well-being.

In preparation for the 2025 exhibition season, ROLF is also unveiling a new in-house-designed exhibition stand.

Stand design: ROLF takes a new direction in 2025 with a bold, modular stand featuring hexagonal structures

“As with the design of our eyewear,” explained Christian Wolf, “we placed great emphasis on innovation, utilizing in-house expertise, the latest technologies, and minimizing material usage. We’re excited to see how our stand—featuring an architecturally intriguing design and interchangeable image and plant elements—will be received. This stand, which can be assembled and disassembled multiple times, celebrates our passion for nature, creativity, technology, and sustainable practices, all built around our motto: ‘There’s no such thing as impossible!’”

Discover more about ROLF at www.rolf-spectacles.com. This exclusive feature was written by Clodagh Norton for www.eyestylist.com.