Eyestylist

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.

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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

Reviews

Swiss eyewear brand Götti Switzerland: Perspective sunglasses

7th August 2025

Oversized summer sunglasses, with an ultralight feel – from a top Swiss eyewear brand

Produced by Swiss eyewear brand Götti Switzerland in-house, the Perspective collection features summer sunglasses styles, FL04 and FL05. The styles have been created with a lightweight look and feel by means of advanced 3D printing technology. A leader in premium 3D printed eyewear production, Götti’s proven approach to crafting ultra-lightweight designs with exceptional comfort and fit redefines what it means for a frame of this calibre to not only look outstanding but also excel in fundamental qualities such as functionality and durability. Above: Summer sunglasses by Swiss eyewear brand – FL05 square oversized sunglasses design deliver minimal design and a fine finish – the frame has a stainless steel structure and 3D printed rim, offered in multiple colour ways

FL04 in teal – by the Swiss eyewear brand

Furthermore, the FL04 sunglasses feature an oversized oval shape. The frame combines stainless steel and a 3D printed rim offered in elegant colour combinations.

Götti Switzerland’s precision in hand finishing each piece – these designs are screwless and have no soldered joints – ensure that the final experience for the wearer meets high expectations for those who seek out essential quality and contemporary frame design in one single frame. Find out more about the Swiss eyewear brand at https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/04/3d-printed-styles-released-at-gotti-switzerland/ and www.gotti.ch

Boutiques

Independent eyewear store in Tokyo: tö, Setagaya City, Tokyo, Japan

1st August 2025

Independent eyewear store in Tokyo: An unassuming residential area near Tokyo boasts one of the most thoughtfully designed and carefully curated eyewear galleries, owned by eyewear expert and stylist Hiromi Toh, and conceived according to the Japanese word, “natsukashii”

Styled after Hiromi Toh’s Japanese name Tou, the optical store, tö eyewear lab is more like a gallery than a traditional eyewear shop. After a career as an eyewear stylist in mass media, Toh created the space with the idea of proposing a new world of eyewear, where consultations are by appointment only. The eyewear enthusiast is invited to discover this creative world quietly, at their own pace, without the noise and distraction of a more common retail space.

Located in a residential area outside central Tokyo, there are no signboards on the building and no traditional shop front. tö is located along a quiet street, close to a temple, and like an art gallery features a large glass window displaying special eyewear designs as works of art. To the right of the window, there is a large striking red door. Behind this door is the extraordinary world created by Toh, based on the Japanese concept of “natsukashii” – a word that evokes a soft and warm feeling of nostalgia, neither specifically Japanese, Western nor Asian. Above: the interior of the eyewear lab, tö, located in a quiet street

A wall of dark Japanese antique furniture is installed on one side of the space, like an installation – the drawers are used to store some of the frames

Minimal areas in the space present the small pieces of eyewear with a sense of artistry

In the corridor just after the entrance, an impressive plate of copper, that has been left to develop its own natural verdigris patina, welcomes you inside. You then enter the main space, discovering a gigantic red wall evoking ancient Asia, and are met with an artwork of rust behind a counter.There are hardly any eyewear frames on display in the store.

Unique eyewear consultations at tö

“My curated collection of frames can be found in the shelves of the antique Japanese furniture,” explains the owner with pride. “Consequently, the consultation begins by understanding the customer and their image of eyewear, before handpicking frames from within the shelves, especially for them. I always try to select a frame that challenges that preconceived idea, all the while surprising my customer. The closed shelves support this sense of surprise and delight that they feel during their journey in my shop. When a frame exceeds their expectations, I know I have achieved what I set out to do.”

With her expert eye and appreciation of fine eyewear design, which she has developed over many years of working in fashion and the optical business, Hiromi Toh has created a unique eyewear space with a personal touch that is very unusual in optical retail. Find out more at www.to-o.co

2-6-21-1F Shinmachi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

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