Identity, materials and vision: new eyewear trends at MIDO - curated by Alessandra Albarello

We are who we are — and we are also who we would like to become.

This apparent paradox becomes visible in the story of eyewear trends at MIDO 2026 – a reflection focused on identity that takes shape within a minimal yet powerful area – eyewear. No longer merely an aesthetic or functional accessory, eyewear becomes an emotional and cultural space, capable of shaping the perception of oneself and others, condensing past, present and future.

In a global context marked by contradictions and fragmentation, eyewear emerges as a space of freedom, authenticity and simplicity. Heritage plays a central role, not as an imposition, but as a narrative foundation from which contemporary languages develop, generating empathy and closeness. Design, architecture, art and nature interact within a vision that looks back to its origins while simultaneously opening up new physical and mental geographies.

Collections move between natural and urban landscapes, cultural references and collective memories – from the dunes of the Sahara to Iceland’s volcanic territories, from Japan to Scandinavia, by way of Italy and creative capitals such as Milan and London. Art makes a strong comeback with references to Futurism, and the moods of the 1960s, 1970s and 1990s, as well as the early 20th-century, with aviators and explorers as timeless icons.

Themes at MIDO 2026

Water Lights

A yearning for purity and the essential takes shape through transparencies, ethereal contours and interplays of light. Materials become lighter, layered and open to prismatic and kaleidoscopic effects reminiscent of water, seabeds and minerals. Light becomes a dynamic element, capable of transforming color and volume, creating a sensitive relationship between eyewear, the face and the surrounding environment.

Magma
Matter is explored beyond its limits, in a profound dialog with nature and archetypes. Organic, primordial and, at times, extreme forms follow the subtle vibrations of the natural world. Research that crosses the boundary between the visible and the invisible and, thanks to advanced and sensitive technologies, transforms abstraction into a tangible experience.

Carnet de Voyage

Travel becomes a metaphor for identity. The collections narrate a contemporary Grand Tour that traverses cultures, artisanal traditions and urban landscapes. Ancient symbols, calligraphy, reinterpreted archives and the atmospheres of major cities intertwine with design — particularly Scandinavian design — and architecture, eliciting new shapes and constructive solutions.

Key features

Materials evolve toward circularity and environmental responsibility, shaping a new, contemporary artisanal luxury in which bioplastics, plant-based resins, recycled acetates and bio-acetates coexist with natural materials and highly innovative solutions.

Experimentation with alternative materials continues to grow, including those derived from shells, grape seeds and cellulose acetate recovered from cigarette butts. Meanwhile, metal returns to center stage – particularly titanium, steel and recycled aluminum – chosen for their light weight, strength and ability to interact with light, with the select use of precious metals as a design element.

In the name of timelessness, iconic shapes – aviator, cat-eye, panto, navigator, mask and flat-top – are reinterpreted through new processes and proportions, featuring clean, often genderless and inclusive geometries, soft lines, rounded edges and reduced volumes or thicknesses. A sculptural, architectural approach driven by subtraction and structural precision, while also leaving room for semi-rimless and rimless frames, including oversized versions.

The color palette follows a new quiet restraint, preferring crystal, black, deep browns and havana, paired with natural tones such as honey, beige, khaki and green, alongside blues, reds, burgundy, greys and pinks in desaturated, mineral interpretations. Occasional bolder accents – such as yellow or shocking pink – are rendered unique through textural treatments, layering and special finishes.

Accessories complete the aesthetic and sustainable narrative, becoming an integral part of the design. Cases made from vegan, biodegradable or recycled materials sit alongside multifunctional solutions designed to reduce waste, while chunky and fine chains and clip-ons take on both aesthetic and practical roles, transforming eyewear into an increasingly visible, modular object coordinated with personal style.