Trying to spot the trends at this year’s Silmo in Paris, one of the largest optical fairs in the world, was a tough ask. Thin metals, especially in rose gold, abounded, but that’s the here and now; tomorrow remained elusive.
But that’s no bad thing, said Eschenbach Optik’s vice president, Walter Kaiser. “The biggest trend is there are no major differences at the moment - everything goes… So, for whatever your taste, there’s a solution.” That offers optometrists a good opportunity to differentiate themselves from the corporate stores next door, he said. “How do you distinguish yourself? Well you offer something different, and for those looking for something different, you give them that choice.”
The whole optical market has been very much influenced by classical American vintage shapes for the past five years, said JF Rey founder and eyewear legend Jean-François Rey, but now we’re moving into more interesting times as there’s so many different experiences influencing designers. “Fashion is not one straight path… at this time, there are lots of different things; sportswear, street wear and at same time very sophisticated ladies wearing different fashion styles, looking like 60s pin-ups.”
Design Eyewear Group’s head designer and Face a Face co-founder, Pascal Jaulent, said this lack of clear trends offers designers the chance to better express themselves across their different ranges. “You will always be relevant; the market will consider your opinion. It is freedom, and I like that.”
There were trends to be seen at Silmo 2019, however, but these were broad trends that came in many different designs and materials: one was colour - glorious bright, strong colours and the other was sustainability; the desire to reduce the eyewear industry’s impact on the environment.
