Eyestylist

Mido returns to Fiera Milano, Rho (from 31st January to 2nd February 2026) for three days of design and innovation showcases, networking, education and business-development opportunities. The event, which is the 54th edition,  will see a vast presentation of eyewear brands from around the world, with opportunities to discover the whole spectrum of products relevant to 2026 and seasons ahead. 

Event organisers highlight the different areas of the fair for visitors: the heart of Hall 1, the Fashion Square, will be completely updated for this edition. In Hall 4, the square will feature an installation dedicated to the Italian DaTE Eyewear event and the square in Hall 6 will host the new edition of the eyewear exhibition, The Lens of Time.

The Design area returns to Halls 2 + 4: ‘growing’ exhibitors and new entries will be showing in this area, including some brands previously featured in the Academy. This year the Academy, in Hall 6, described by the organisers as “an accelerator for young brands” will host over 90 companies. The ‘Start Up’ area will see the participation of about 20 new companies presenting projects and products with focus on innovation in design.

The exhibition, “The Lens of Time” will be a highlight this year in Hall 6: originally launched in Venice, this exhibition dedicated to the history of eyewear, and conceived by ANFAO, will be on show at Mido with a new format for the international visitors at the fair. The exhibition traces the evolution of eyewear from its origins to the present day, highlighting its cultural, artisanal and stylistic value. After Mido, the exhibition will move to Rome and the Palazzo Piacentini, headquarters of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, with future plans of moving abroad. Find out more about the original exhibition here:  https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/05/the-lens-of-time-venice/

In 2025, Mido recorded 42,000 people attending the international event in Milan through three days, visiting from 168 countries, and more than 400 accredited national and international journalists.

For the 2026 edition, a MIDO App is now available to download for exhibitors and visitors to manage the show experience with ease and efficiency.

Above + below: Eyestylist details a few of the new and innovative designs which will be shown for the first time when the event opens on Saturday.

Above: Faboor will exhibit in Hall 2 (stand S38) at Mido – with an engineering-driven approach to eyewear design, Faboor frames are made from solid ERGAL 7075 (a high performance aluminium alloy) with anodised finishes – the brand is manifesting a bold creative direction for 2026: expect a a strong concept-driven collection, www.faboor.it

The design label, NINA MÛR will release eight new models at the event, as well as showcasing new materials, one of their consistent and most uniquely explored design qualities. The frame above is called Beatrice, and is pictured in Warm White / Blue Klein. NINA MÛR continues to apply new ideas to eyewear design through new interpretations of sustainable materials like ply wood, unconventional frame shapes with an organic appearance, and a deeply creative colour palette that explores colour depth and contrast with virtuosity. The brand is exhibiting at stand AY33 / LAB ACADEMY. www.ninamur.com

Lafont Paris will present new models for Spring/Summer at Mido, including the women’s model Ueno, a combined frame characterised by elongated lines, and a pure and balanced aesthetic. The subtle interplay of metal cutouts on the front enhances the look. Made exclusively in France, the Lafont Paris collections continue to uphold the artisan excellence and detail precision of authentic French production through partner Thierry s.a., the renowned family-run eyewear maker in the Jura region. Lafont Paris is exhibiting in Hall 2 – Stand V41 Z42. Find out more at www.lafont.com

PRESS Eyewear will launch a new sun/optical collection for Spring/Summer 2026, produced in titanium and handcrafted in Japan. A tribute to America’s truest musical art form, jazz, and some of the world’s most iconic musicians, the Carved Collection embodies the signature character and style of the New York eyewear brand, paying rigorous attention to quality and technical sophistication while really making an impact through remarkable construction, material combinations and distinctive yet timeless colour combinations. Find PRESS Eyewear in Hall 4 – Stand Q20.  www.presseyewear.com

Gamine New York will launch a limited edition, two signature models and 5 new titanium styles at MIDO this year. The brand first launched at the event in 2016, and for this special occasion, they are moving out of the Lab and into Hall 4 (stand P09 Q10). Gamine.nyc

French eyewear producer J.F. Rey’s press preview for the Milan event is extensive, with an array of women’s optical designs in beautiful colours and transparencies, bold multicoloured sunglasses (such as the decorative model Chiara above) and a popular signature men’s collection. The women’s sunglasses are really distinctive for Spring/Summer 2026, bringing multiple colours into play along with layering effects and gradients. The J.F. REY stand will be located in Hall 4 – Stand L11 L13 M12 M14. Find out more at www.jfrey.fr

Mido takes place from Saturday 31st January to 2nd February 2026. Find out more about what’s on over the 3 days at www.mido.com

This feature offers a small taste of the new designs coming to Mido, Milan this coming weekend. We have lots more editorials and features coming up on the new releases. An Eyestylist feature by Clodagh Norton – not using AI. All rights reserved. Copyright protected.