How Creators, Culture and Luxury Are Redefining Eyewear

Eyewear will always serve a practical purpose, but at an EssilorLuxottica event Tuesday evening, panelists made clear that glasses and sunglasses are increasingly acting as markers of identity, culture and personal style.

The panel brought together host Nina Esteves, head of North America trends at EssilorLuxottica, and guests Isan Elba, DJ, producer and entrepreneur, and Justin Moran, creative director and past Editor-in-Chief of PAPER Magazine, to discuss the intersection of fashion, culture and eyewear. The conversation was part of an exclusive preview of trends shaping the future of eyewear in fashion and technology, followed by a cocktail hour.

SOCIAL MEDIA DRIVES TREND CYCLES IN REAL TIME

Social media was a recurrent topic during the panel. Panelists pointed to social media as one of the biggest accelerators of trend culture. With TikTok, Instagram and even Substack shaping discovery, they said creators and everyday users are now finding and sharing style inspiration in far more immediate and visible ways than ever before.

Elba and Moran pointed to the influence of online communities, music culture and sports on style choices. Esteves said those same forces have made it more important for brands to move quickly while still designing eyewear with longevity, since consumers may follow trends fast but tend to keep and wear frames for years.

EYEWEAR AS A MARKER OF PERSONAL IDENTITY

The panel also focused on the growing role eyewear plays in self-expression. Elba said younger consumers are embracing glasses as a fashion accessory, not just a necessity, and are more willing to experiment with multiple frames the way they would with jewelry or makeup.

Moran described glasses as the final layer in signaling one’s personality to the world—a perspective Esteves echoed by noting eyewear is benefiting from a broader cultural shift toward authenticity. Consumers, she said, are gravitating toward pieces that reflect how they feel on a given day rather than one fixed look.

Eyewear forecasting tables, featuring midnight darks, expressive lenses and ultra-fine frames.

LUXURY IS MOVING TOWARD CRAFT AND COMMUNITY

The conversation also touched on changing perceptions of luxury. Esteves said consumers are showing more interest in emotionally driven luxury—frames defined less by logos and more by craftsmanship, heritage and thoughtful design. She pointed to a growing focus on details such as hinges and screws, elements that may not be visible to others but matter to the wearer.

Elba said she thinks the most successful luxury brands are creating communities and cultural ecosystems, not just products. Moran added that eyewear can serve as an accessible entry point into luxury, allowing consumers to elevate an outfit and feel part of a brand world.

WHAT’S NEXT: RETRO SHAPES AND TINTED LENSES AND DARK COLOR STORIES

As for what’s next, Esteves said pilot frames stand out as one of her favorite styles, which aligns with the current revival of 1970s-inspired, unisex shapes. She also highlighted the continued growth of tinted lenses, including lighter, sheer colorways designed for everyday wear, not just outdoors.

Speaking of color, Esteves pointed to deeper frame shades such as chocolate, plum and violet as part of a shift in luxury eyewear. She said these rich tones offer something new without straying too far from the familiarity of a classic black frame.

As eyewear continues to straddle fashion, function and identity, the event made clear that the category is evolving quickly—and that consumers are playing a larger role than ever in shaping where it goes next.

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