Month: June 2025

Summer Buying Days 2025

Posted on by Newsroom

An appointment in the Bolognese hills

At the close of an intense and highly satisfying first half of the year, which saw the growth and consolidation of its brands, Marcolin once again chose to gather buyers and collaborators from the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region for the traditional Summer Buying Days. Held from June 15 to 21, the event was the perfect opportunity to strengthen partnerships, present the new collections, and discuss future projects in an informal, pleasant, and elegant setting: that of Palazzo di Varignana, immersed in the greenery and beauty of the Bolognese hills.

The new collections

There were many highlights in this year’s edition, starting with the debut of the new Christian Louboutin Eyewear and K-Way Eyewear collections, as well as the official announcement of a new exclusive agreement with the American fashion brand rag&bone. But the 2025 Buying Days also featured the world preview of the GUESS Jeans Eyewear line and the new Abercrombie & Fitch Eyewear collection.

A birthday to remember

The list of licenses renewed in 2025 was also significant, including luxury brands such as Max Mara, GUESS, and Gant. In addition to confirming itself as a strategic event for Marcolin, the 2025 edition of the Summer Buying Days was also the occasion to celebrate the first 20 years of TOM FORD Eyewear: two decades of success born from the perfect synergy between Marcolin’s manufacturing excellence and the sophisticated vision of the TOM FORD brand, an icon of international fashion.

Ashley Mills

Posted on by Newsroom

The Vision Council has a long-standing history of advocacy and public awareness campaigns to protect eye health. When was National Sunglass Day first established and why? What does The Vision Council look to accomplish during this time of year?

National Sunglasses Day launched in 2009 to celebrate the iconic accessory and, more importantly, to spotlight its role in defending eye health against UV damage. Since then, it’s become a key awareness moment each year, reinforcing the message that UV protection is a daily necessity – not just a seasonal consideration. Through national campaigns and an expansive toolkit of free resources for retailers, eye care providers, educators, and media, The Vision Council works to make accurate, accessible information available to the public. This year, we’re also hosting an exclusive media event in New York City to elevate the conversation and bring even greater attention to the cause.

2

What should people pay special attention to when buying a pair of sunglasses?

Start with protection. The most important feature to look for is a label that reads “100% UV protection”. Next, think about practicality and fit. Consider where and how you’ll use them – commuting, driving, hiking, or lounging at the beach – and choose lenses and frames that match your needs. Of course, sunglasses are also a reflection of personal style, so whether you’re going bold or understated, the best pair is one you’ll actually wear every day.

3

Everyone knows the history and the role of a company like Marcolin in the eyewear industry: what strengths did you find common ground on?

Our partnership with Marcolin is rooted in shared values: craftsmanship, innovation, and a deep understanding of the consumer. Their legacy in developing fashion-forward, high-performance eyewear makes them an ideal collaborator as we work to raise awareness about the importance of UV protection. Marcolin’s continuing emphasis on sustainability is a great example of how, much like The Vision Council, the company is constantly evolving and modernizing with a clear vision and mission. We’re especially grateful for their support as a Visionary Sponsor of The Vision Council Foundation, helping us expand the reach of National Sunglasses Day and reinforce the idea that eyewear plays a vital role in both health and self-expression.

Nicolò Parsenziani

Posted on by Newsroom

Is it possible to effectively communicate a product without ever showing it, but by interpreting the brand values, as you were asked to do for the WEB EYEWEAR – Framing Light project?

«Absolutely yes, in my opinion. In my fashion shoots, I always try to create a moodboard, a narrative that gives soul to the story, I never start from the product itself. This kind of perspective helps build a community that shares the same values even before a garment or accessory comes into play».

What inspired you in expressing concepts such as transparency, gusto, and quiet luxury?

«I tried to reflect on these concepts on a personal level, choosing to anchor them in everyday life. Hence, the gusto of some basic Mediterranean ingredients, like olive oil and bread; the transparency of a thin sheet of plastic wrapping flowers; and the luxury of a bouquet glimpsed through the rear-view mirror of a car stuck in Milan’s traffic. Flowers are a recurring theme in my work, and in this case, I wanted to play with the contrast between the chaos of the city and the quiet beauty of nature brought inside a car’s cabin».

Which shot was the most challenging for you?

«Definitely the one with the ice necklace. I hadn’t taken into account that ice burns when in contact with skin, it made things a bit difficult for the model. While small ‘imperfections’ like burnt bread, a blur, a droplet, or something slightly out of place are intentional and part of my style, almost a ‘signature’, they allow me to bring out a human, imperfect side, even in commercial shots».

Davide Lunghi

Posted on by Newsroom

1. A brief six-month review since your appointment in Berlin: what steps have you taken to consolidate and promote such a distinctive brand as ic! berlin?”

Together with the local ic! berlin team and with the support of the Marcolin team, we are working together on three key pillars:

Strengthening Brand Identity Consistency

ic! berlin has always relied on a well-defined identity: high-tech eyewear that is lightweight, functional, and industrial in design. The brand name itself, along with its visual communication, reflects an urban, youthful, and unconventional style.

Product  Innovation

One of the brand’s know-how is its patented screwless hinge technology. More recently, material innovations such as the patented Flexarbon range have come into play. These distinctive features, which we are focusing on, allow ic! berlin to clearly differentiate itself in the market and position itself as a leader in functional design.

Unconventional Communication

In the past, ic! berlin has often embraced a direct, ironic, and unconventional tone. We are now working intensively to revive the message and mindset of “unconventional thinking,” highlighting the outstanding craftsmanship that sets our product apart from the competition.

2. ic! berlin frames are instantly recognizable for their technical details (lightweight, screwless, flexible) and super-contemporary design: who is the typical customer of this brand?

The customer of ic! berlin is the technical aesthete. A person who has a profound need to surround themselves with objects of superior quality and beauty. They are not necessarily creatives themselves, but show great sensitivity to the beauty of art and design. They admire technical excellence and quality because it gives them a sense of stability. With the spirit of an engineer and the soul of a designer, the technical aesthete seeks a conscious minimalism and a rational elegance.

3. Among your responsibilities is also the task of helping ic! berlin strengthen its presence in key international markets, thanks to the Marcolin Group network. This is a challenge, especially in the current context: what strategies do you have to overcome a period of general uncertainty?

To overcome this phase, we are focusing on two key aspects.

 

Focus on Quality and Craftsmanship

The attention to the quality and craftsmanship of our products allows us to remain distinctive and offer added value to our clients. In a constantly evolving world, ic! berlin continues to focus on a highly qualitative and innovative offering that represents a guarantee for our consumers.

 

Strengthening the Distribution Network

Thanks to the solid network of the Marcolin Group, we are reinforcing our presence in key markets by enhancing both physical and online distribution. Additionally, we are putting  our efforts on specifically addressing the needs of local consumers, thus consolidating our presence and aligning with the unique requirements of each key market.