At this year’s Eyesight Expo Western — held at the Sands Expo Convention Center and the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino — the mood was optimistic among eyewear ’s biggest players for the road ahead.

The show was bigger than ever, counting more than 380 exhibitors, and in spite of an uncertain economy, eyewear manufacturers are steadfast, evolving their sustainability programs, developing the latest in innovation and continuing to launch new brands.

EssilorLuxottica

“We have seen strong sales across North America, ” said Ludo Ladreyt,   chief commercial officer of EssilorLuxottica Wholesale NA. The COO reported that the luxury category has been a particularly strong performer this year, “underlining a robust consumer appetite for high-end eyeglasses. We also significantly grew our market share in the particular fast-fashion group after making substantial investments in our manufacturers within the segment, including Vogue Eyewear plus Arnette. ”

Historically, the West show tends to tilt more optical and eye care rather than sun, and many executives saw big strides in the market. “Optical frames account for the most significant portion of our product sales, which are beating pre-COVID-19, ” Ladreyt stated, adding, “Although our primary business is driven by optical resilience, our sun category remains very strong, ” with demand currently at a 60 percent optic, 40 percent sun split, which “is aligned with previous periods. ”

In terms of trends, eyewear will be making the statement, much like fashion is.

“Overall, frames are bigger and bolder this season, ” mentioned Sherianne James, chief marketing officer associated with EssilorLuxottica Wholesale NA, pointing to a strong trend seen throughout the show floor. She highlighted several specific trends inside the EssilorLuxottica stable including: Virtual Inspiration, Futurism, Refreshed Icons, Outdoor and Athleisure Lifestyle, Sustainability and Craftsmanship and Reinventing Archives.

“While there is continued interest in innovation, consumers also have a strong appreciation of iconic, timeless designs with the modern twist, “ Wayne said, citing the Ray-Ban Mega Wayfarer and Clubmaster Slim  as examples.   “The Rejuvenated Icons and Reinventing Archives trends observed throughout our collections prove that time-honored concepts related to design, fashion, culture and society are still important to today’s consumer. A new generation of creatives are reinventing and reinterpreting legacy styles from heritage brands with a modern approach, making them relevant with regard to younger Millennial and Gen Z customers, who make up more than half the market. ”

Companies, of course, are mixing tradition with development as they work out the particular best product mix.

“We are in constant contact with our wholesale customers and share their feedback with our own global brand and item development teams as these people refine product collections, ” James explained. Their item development journey for each collection takes about two years, starting with the style and marketplace research team, which James said “closely follows global trends plus draws inspiration from everything in the current environment, including social media, art, music, fashion, and architecture. ”

Last year, EssilorLuxottica introduced Eyes on the Planet, which highlighted sustainability efforts around carbon neutrality, circularity and world sight, among others.

“Sustainability has grown from being a pillar of the organization to become a critical component that is woven into every aspect associated with our business strategy, ” James said.

Updates in order to the program include reaching carbon neutrality in 2 of EssilorLuxottica’s home countries, Italy plus France. In 2021, 75 percent of the electricity used by their sites in France, and 95 percent in Italy, came from renewable energy. The residual emissions from the company’s activities inside Italy and France are usually compensated regarding by two reforestation projects in Agordo, Italy, and in the rural Le’an region of China, according to the company. “These projects are fostering biodiversity and socioeconomic development as well, ” James said.

To tackle waste, EssilorLuxottica — the particular world’s largest eyewear manufacturer — has adopted a 4Rs approach, which includes researching, reducing the volume associated with materials in manufacturing plus distribution processes, reusing in addition to recycling raw materials and even packaging.

“From a product perspective, we’ve introduced innovative bio-based materials into typically the portfolio regarding raw materials for all types of products, enabling the launch of specific sustainable collections for several of our brands, including Costa, Arnette, Armani, Burberry together with Starck Eyes, ” Wayne said. And looking ahead, “more and additionally more in our value chain will become sustainable. We are in it for this long haul and believe sustainability is something that can fit in at every level of the industry, ” she said.

Safilo

Over at Safilo, which will be celebrating 60 years within North America, the  optical category has grown significantly.

“Women’s optic brands such as Kate Spade New York, Emozioni, [an owned brand of Safilo distributed exclusively in the U.S.] are some involving the strongest performers year-to-date in The united states, “ explained Francesco Rinaldi Ceroni, president and chief commercial officer of Safilo Group United states. “Carrera not to mention Chesterfield [both owned brands, the latter distributed exclusively in North America]  are resonating strongest with men. ”

The company’s brands are usually its most powerful assets, Ceroni said, citing  record strong double-digit growth rates with regard to Carrera and also Polaroid. He also pointed to “the outstanding performance of Smith’s portfolio connected with sport as well as outdoor focused products, ’ as well as licensed brands Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Kate Spade New You are able to, David Beckham and Under Armour.  

“We are particularly proud of often the strong demand for our new launch with Carolina Herrera, supporting our strategy for the more diversified and balanced licensed portfolio, ” he said, explaining that your Italian company is continuously “rebalancing” its brand profile.

Safilo signed  Dsquared2 and Carolina Herrera inside 2021 “which allowed us, starting from January 2022, to immediately strengthen our women’s proposition, “ Ceroni said of the Herrera band. Another new addition, a deal with one massive influencer Chiara Ferragni.   “We wanted in order to create a new, leading and digitally boosted fashion eyewear brand that directly speaks to new generations. It represents a new perfect easily fit in our brand portfolio and a significant opportunity for us to grow in the exact contemporary segment. ”

To mark the milestone in North America, a  massive campaign made the debut in the show celebrating  “People, Product and Planet. ” This stars a number of Safilo USA employees plus sales team members. In line along with the corporate purpose-led strategy, the brand new North American campaign is a “twist” on presenting definitions regarding important keywords like “Vision, Connect, Item, Service, in addition to People, ” commensurate with the company’s values and promise. ”

Ceroni pointed out that Safilo’s digital transformation offers reshaped their business. “Digitalization for us means not only adopting new technological tools but aiming toward the strategic innovation of our own business model. Safilo is usually constantly updating its business model through some sort of more decisive shift towards a digital transformation strategy, which will support and allow a significant improvement in customer-centric activities thanks to the adoption for innovative solutions, as well as pushing toward a good more significant growth about direct-to-consumer e-commerce activities, ” he stated.

On the sustainability front, Safilo debuted Eastman Acetate Renew and even Eastman Tritan™ Renew, within its selections last year.

“Through this commitment, Safilo became the particular first player in typically the market to use all Eastman Renew components for eyeglasses in our own portfolio, ” Ceroni mentioned. In July the company  joined The Fashion Pact, a global coalition in companies in the fashion and textile industry, including their suppliers and distributors, “all committed to a common core from key environmental goals within three areas: stopping global warming, restoring biodiversity together with protecting this oceans, ” he said.

Heading into the close of 2022, talk of an economic downturn is looming, but often the executive cautioned that “based on the results recorded inside the first half of 2022 and additionally the current visibility in to the third quarter, Safilo management is confident about already reaching, in 2022, your economic targets set out in the 2024 business plan, ” this individual said adding that these forecasts are assuming for the rest of the exact year your reasonably stable economic not to mention business environment compared to be able to the present situation in relation to macro-economic and also geo-political drivers.

Marchon

After sitting out last year’s Vision Expo Western world due for you to the worldwide pandemic Marchon — part of Vision Service Plan, the U. S. ’s biggest eye care benefits provider — returned to the particular show floor.

“I am proud to help say 2021 was typically the strongest 12 months within the history of Marchon, ” Thomas Burkhardt, who was recently elevated to chief executive of Marchon Eyewear, explained. “Looking forward, I want to build on all associated with what got us to our existing position regarding success as well as focusing on the opportunities ahead. ”

Burkhardt said key brands, which includes Nike Eyesight, Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Longchamp and Lacoste, and also proprietary brands, which include Dragon, performed exceptionally, and  Marchon plans to sustain the momentum this year “as people continue to need prescription sunglasses and look to their eyecare providers. ”

The  company recently announced licensing agreements together with Paul Smith and Shinola, using the first Shinola Built by Flexon collection debuting in October.   “Fusing Shinola’s purpose to produce well-made and built-to-last products and Flexon’s promise in order to deliver durable, well-designed eye wear, the fresh eyewear collection introduces modern and reinvented classics, ” he claimed. The selection retails  from $99 to be able to $168 and begins with  five sun styles plus six optical styles, using  notable design details expected to resonate with fans of this Shinola brand name.

Burkhardt says due to the pandemic, the company considerably accelerated it is digitalization efforts, particularly in the areas of product design and development, merchandising, forecasting and marketing.

“Our teams are now working very differently than just three, four years ago, with better systems in addition to support and even fewer administrative tasks, creating time together with space intended for more creativity and focus on our customers’ needs, “ he reported.

Beginning in January, Marchon  will use Eastman’s Tenite Renew sustainable materials made from bio-based and recycled content, a step toward offering “customers lasting options inside eyewear. ” He added that Eye on Tomorrow, Marchon’s Corporate Social Responsibility platform,   has grown over the last yr. “It’s some program we’re incredibly happy with. We usually are leveraging for you to use environmentally friendly materials wherever possible and available and simplifying and eliminating waste by improving the recycling attempts, ” he or she said.

“VSP Vision is concentrated on delivering continued value to our clients, members, and additionally doctors, ” Burkhardt talked about, speaking upon the current economic conditions. “We understand that saving money is a top priority to get clients not to mention members, and also we’re supporting them using opportunities to maximize their vision benefits.   With low out-of-pocket costs, Exclusive Member Extras about eyewear as well as eye care, and special savings in Premier Program Practices, we are ensuring cost-conscious members may still prioritize their health and stay in budget. “

Marcolin

While the show floor offers a wide range of product, luxury eye protection strongly resonates with all the end customer.

“We’ve seen a fabulous strong overall performance within each of our luxury collection, ” said Marcolin’s North America chief executive officer and Group mergers and acquisitions director, Emanuele Cappellano, adding that will Tom Ford has experienced consistent development in both men’s plus women’s, while Moncler in addition to Max Mara have had double-digit growth found in the past six months.

“We always stayed true to often the heritage of our brands, yet we’re seeing success through product and even marketing innovation that aligns with your current luxury landscape involving today, ” Cappellano stated. “While an important core collection of basics is essential, we’re expanding our niche differentiated item assortment having Moncler together with Max Mara.   For instance, we’ve seen immense retail success inside of North The united states with our Moncler goggle series and have introduced an entirely brand-new goggle style for fall 2022. ”

He continued, “with Max Mara, customers have resonated with the avant-garde styling, and additionally we see this extending to Moncler outlet,moncler,outlet moncler as well. Across all of our luxury stock portfolio, bolder logo usage combined with contemporary interpretations connected with classic styling has been relevant throughout our top sellers. ”

The entire Tom Ford collection features incorporated blue block functionality, helping to help drive Marcolin’s optical business too.

“Business has remained strong not to mention consistent with Guess as a leading diffusion company within our account. Max Mara has emerged as key brand around the optic market, giving a strong product by using a fresh perspective in the luxury category, ” Cappellano said.

Gearing up pertaining to the close from the season Cappellano informed that Marcolin expects “volatility, not necessarily a full  economic downturn. Our actions are concentrated around: rigorous stock management, cost control, along with a strong concentrate on our core businesses. ” It is definitely more important now than ever, they said, to enhance communication with the exact customer and also continue to ensure their needs are met.

To his point, Marcolin can be investing in new a customer experience platform which usually will launch in the second half of 2023. “We are also continuing in order to evolve your marketing technique to elevate some of our events, programs and communications, ” he / she said.

Thélios

Up within the suites on the Venetian, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton‘s Thélios is marking five years in the group, with U. S. representing a high-growth market, said  ceo Alessandro  Zanardo.

He went on to say that Dior, Celine as well as Fendi “are having the momentum throughout the U. S. market, being really successful in all channels with distribution. ” Givenchy’s performance is also particularly solid within the Oughout. S. “due to it has the Californian creative director, Matthew Williams, which often resonates through the American market. Meanwhile, Loewe is finding a very clear positioning, as its edgy style approach works particularly well in the particular U. H. ’s trend-setting cities. ” Stella McCartney, he additional, “has developed a solid presence in You. S. department stores, thanks to the designer’s pioneering approach at sustainable style, which furthermore reflects in the eyewear class. ”

Zanardo pointed away that typically the ophthalmic category is a new strategic type for Thélios.

“By nature, our maisons as they are trend houses, are more drawn to be able to sunglasses. However, optical frames are becoming more and a lot more visible, gradually turning into some sort of fashionable accessory. It is one of this drivers for our progress in often the luxury glasses segment, ” he mentioned.

The particular recently launched Giv-Cut provides been Thélios’ first 3D-printed product to be sold to the final consumer. Part about a joint project utilizing Givenchy, your frames employ 3D printing. First observed on singer Rosalia during the Met Gala and at the men’s fashion display in Paris, the futuristic style hit stores just two weeks after its presentation.

“Before of which, 3D printing was used only to develop prototypes, as it was not perceived because qualitative enough to make for you to be considered for luxurious eyewear, ” Zanardo explained. “The technology has clearly improved, the greatest advantages in this technique being the reduced time to market and the possibility to create extremely special shapes, that would have been impossible for classic acetate from injected frames. “

The Thélios CEO is certainly confident the exact growth will continue, “as our maisons are on really high demand. However , our focus is to help keep growing sustainably, respecting this strategic pillar of selective distribution. All of us are not really willing to compromise with that. We work only with few retail partners, selecting just the best in the world, to guarantee our maisons individuelles the best possible representation and assuring our companions the greatest possible service. ”

Silhouette

Also up within the suites, independent Austrian eyewear brand Silhouette — known for its minimalistic lightweight glasses — has got streamlined distribution in the particular U. T. by nearly 40 percent.

”We will be focusing our U. S i9000. efforts at strengthening our own partnerships with the help of independent-minded eye care professionals, who share in our values and goal of offering consumers typically the best eyeglasses in this world with unparalleled comfort and perfect vision, ” said Hartmut Kraft, leader of Silhouette U. Ersus. “This allows us to provide an incomparable level of support, commitment and support to the dedicated eye care lovers that share our eyesight for successful, long-term partnerships, as nicely as providing their consumers with an unique plus extraordinary experience. ”

Figure revealed that  through a combination of reduction initiatives, like producing its own green electricity, it features achieved the aim of reaching net zero CO2  exhausts.

“The use of fossil fuels within often the eyewear business and their contribution in order to global warming as well as the release of greenhouse gases, such as CO2, are truly staggering, ” Kraft claimed. “To reduce our carbon footprint, we have selected a combination of CO2-free eco friendly sources, as well as solar, wind, hydro, biomass and biogas to provide electricity to be able to our company headquarters present in Linz, Austria, which is normally where we meticulously produce our handcrafted eyewear. ”

Kraft also pointed out the fact that materials in addition to production methods can make a major difference during reducing a good company’s co2 footprint. “For example, the proprietary SPX®+ material is injection molded, which produces very little waste and is much more ecological compared for you to other traditional materials used, like acetate, ” your dog said.