Luca Nichetto

How has Murano, the place where you were born and raised, shaped your creative and professional path?

«Murano has undoubtedly shaped my creative path. Growing up on this island means being immersed in the gestures, tools, and materials, understanding the value of the gesture, the importance and ritual of making, and the ability to transform matter. Today, more than ever, after 25 years, I feel deeply connected to this side of my roots. With Nichecraft, the independent creations signed by my studio, I wanted to bring creativity and the human dimension of making back to the center».

Throughout your career you have been Art Director for many international design brands, held lectures and led workshops at various universities, and your work, ranging from products, furniture, and accessories, has been exhibited worldwide. What does design mean to you today?

«Design is a form of applied art, conceived to be produced in series, numbered or not, but always with meaning and intention. It means taking risks to create something new and unexpected, exploring creativity in all its dimensions. Every project should be carefully conceived, intentionally made, and designed to last, because creativity is a way to build connections».

Among the many things you have designed, a few years ago you also created a pair of glasses: what fascinates you about this accessory that combines design and vision? And how do you imagine it might evolve?

«Designing eyewear was a unique experience, especially because I approached that model in a very personal way, so that it would fit my face perfectly. Design, material choices, and color aesthetics all come together to create an object that doesn’t dress a part of the home, but a part of the body. Once again, these pieces are carefully designed, intentionally made, and meant to last. This is a sector whose future, especially after the advent of smart glasses, is truly unpredictable, but I believe that technological elements will ultimately add even more value to the manufacturing knowledge at the core of this industry».

Carlo Capasa

Craftsmanship and sustainability (alongside creativity) are essential pillars of Made in Italy. In the face of rapidly evolving scenarios, what should we focus on most in the future?

«Craftsmanship and sustainability have always been two fundamental elements of Made in Italy. Our real strength lies in the supply chain: an extraordinary network of companies and skills that we must continue to enhance. Looking ahead, it will be increasingly important to invest in training young people and in innovation within production processes, while preserving the manufacturing quality that makes our products recognizable worldwide».

Alongside Fashion Week, Vogue World will also take place this year. Do events like these mainly serve to reaffirm an identity, or to introduce new talents to the world?

«Events like Vogue World are primarily about telling the story of Italian fashion to the world. They help strengthen Milan’s international role while also offering great visibility to emerging talents. The strength of Italian fashion lies precisely in this balance between historic brands and new creative generations».

The fashion ecosystem also includes another Italian excellence: eyewear, a sector in which Marcolin has long been a recognized leader. Between AI and new commercial challenges, how do you see the future of this industry?

«Eyewear is a sector in which Italy has built a very solid leadership over the years, thanks to the quality of design and manufacturing. New technologies, including artificial intelligence, will play an increasingly important role, but creativity, innovation, and production expertise will remain central. Looking ahead, it will be essential to continue investing in the supply chain and in product quality—elements that make Made in Italy competitive in this sector as well».

Marcolin People Wavers

The New Ambassadors

Convivial evenings, sports tournaments, and charity initiatives are the kinds of experiences that, beyond traditional working hours, help reinforce bonds among colleagues and contribute to a positive, vibrant, and engaged workplace environment. From today, these initiatives will be shaped and brought to life by the Marcolin People Wavers: eight ambassadors aged between 27 and 43, each with different roles and levels of experience, but united by the desire to make a difference. They will bring new ideas, energy, and a sense of community to the people of Marcolin.

An Innovative Format

This month marks the start of a first series of activities designed to make the company’s values tangible and alive. In addition to this main mission, another one will gradually take shape: using their personal social media profiles to share the company from an internal and genuine perspective — the kind of viewpoint that official messages often cannot convey.

Looking Ahead

The Marcolin People Wavers will be the key players in a pioneering communication program designed to give space and voice to the people who live the company every day: their journeys, their experiences, and the values they truly identify with. It is a story that unfolds both inside and outside Marcolin, highlighting what makes its community unique. In an era of information overload and mass AI‑generated content, what truly makes a difference is authenticity — a personal and recognizable point of view. And this is exactly what our eight ambassadors can offer, turning communication into something closer, more credible, and deeply human.

WEB EYEWEAR: 20 Years Of History In A New Collection

The Values

Simple yet never predictable elegance, attention to detail, retro inspiration and contemporary lines. These are the defining features of WEB EYEWEAR, a brand that has always been synonymous with understated luxury, where style is shaped by balance and care for detail. To celebrate its first 20 years as part of the Marcolin family, this spring an exclusive capsule collection makes its debut, previewed at MIDO. A special collection featuring four new models that, through a refined and modern aesthetic, combine tradition and contemporaneity.

The New Models

Two sunglasses styles, with thick temples and a double bridge, and two optical frames that echo the same shapes with a slimmer, lighter line, designed for greater everyday comfort. These frames form this special capsule collection and are united by distinctive elements, starting with the logo, reinterpreted for the occasion, and the iconic torchon—the stylistic element that in the 1960s reproduced the propeller of an airplane, here transformed into a pure graphic sign. A defining feature, reimagined with a decorative approach, that can be found on the bridge or on the temples.

The Colours

With this new celebratory capsule, WEB EYEWEAR also plays with colour, ranging in the sunglasses from absolute black with smoke-tinted lenses to Havana-toned temples paired with yellow photochromic lenses. Completing the collection is dedicated packaging that recalls colours and textures from WEB’s style archive: a further tribute to the brand’s history and its timeless vision.

ic! berlin: a day to celebrate 30 years of independent design 

An extraordinary event

To celebrate its first 30 years of history and achievements, on March 19th ic! berlin brought its community together for a special day that began with an exclusive tour of its showroom and factory, located inside the brand’s headquarters in one of Berlin’s industrial districts.

For all guests, it was a unique opportunity to explore the spaces, discover the design and manufacturing processes behind the frames, and gain insight into the creative philosophy of one of the most innovative and cult eyewear brands on the scene.

The new capsule collection

During the tour, ic! berlin also introduced a capsule collection created specifically to mark this milestone anniversary.

The six new models — from the Marcolin-owned brand — blend tradition with innovation, offering a contemporary take on ic! berlin’s minimalist lines. As a surprising twist, the collection plays with Transformative Teal, an intense blue‑green hue that enhances the frames and reappears in the matching photochromic lenses.

A cocktail party at the museum

The celebration concluded with a dinner and cocktail party held in one of Berlin’s most atmospheric venues: the Feuerle Collection, a museum opened ten years ago inside a former Second World War telecommunications bunker.

Here, in a space rich with ambience, guests were surrounded by a remarkable display of Eastern and contemporary art from the private collection of Désirée Feuerle — from Khmer sculptures and Chinese furniture dating back to 200 BC, to works by artists such as Anish Kapoor, Cristina Iglesias and Adam Fuss.

An immersive journey into beauty from an unconventional perspective, perfectly in tune with the spirit of ic! berlin.

ic! berlin: 30 Years Of Engineering And Creativity

The Story

In a city newly reunited and animated by strong creative energy and a desire to experiment, ic! berlin was born in a Berlin apartment thanks to the eclectic Ralph Anderl — designer, singer, photographer and musician — together with two friends. It was 1996, and from the very beginning the brand captured public attention with its ultra‑light and flexible frames that challenged conventions and introduced a new paradigm in the eyewear world. They quickly became the object of desire for a generation of young creatives: lively, curious and nomadic personalities drawn to these unconventional, ultra‑light and minimalist frames in cold‑rolled stainless steel, united by the iconic screwless hinge — a unique solution in terms of lightness, durability and comfort.

The Collection

To celebrate this important milestone, ic! berlin — one of Marcolin’s house brands since 2023 — presents a special capsule collection that reinterprets its famous minimalist lines in six frames created for the occasion. Four of them are more classic stainless‑steel styles that celebrate the brand’s heritage: LEIF, WANDA, OLI THE 2ND and PINA. Two are more innovative: SODIUM and XENON. Enhancing the collection is the shade selected by the Worth Global Style Network as Color of the Year: Transformative Teal, an intense blue‑green that embodies both nature and technology, calmness and vibrant energy. The same tone is echoed in the photochromic lenses which, adapting to sunlight variations, play with the same nuance as the frame.

The Campaign

Completing the celebrations for ic! berlin’s 30th anniversary is a dedicated campaign: “I see Berlin”. It is a communication project that pays homage to the independent essence and creative energy of Berlin, the city that is part of the brand’s DNA, through some of its contemporary protagonists: nightlife photographer Sven Marquardt, Thai‑American Michelin‑starred chef Dalad Kambhu, conceptual artist Nina Pohl, DJ Nunguja Kisalya — London‑based today but raised in Berlin — architect and artist Thilo Reich, and South Korean dancer Youngchan Moon, who blends classical and contemporary elements in his movement.
Through their perspective, the creative identity of Berlin takes shape, and ic! berlin eyewear becomes the literal and symbolic lens capable of capturing the city’s most vibrant energies.

MCM: a Half-Century Journey

From Munich To Space

Founded in Munich in 1976, MCM (Modern Creation München), fully immersed in the city’s cultural and musical scene, quickly distinguished itself through bags, luggage, and ready-to-wear lines imbued with a creative and cosmopolitan spirit. Its leather accessories, marked with the Visetos monogram — featuring a laurel crown and diamond-shaped motif inspired by the Bavarian flag — rapidly became symbols of style, glamour, and freedom of expression, beloved by the international jet set. Today, present in 43 countries worldwide, MCM celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new milestone: the Spring/Summer 2026 Eyewear collection, created in collaboration with Marcolin.

A Sensory Collection

In this latest collection, design transforms into a tactile experience — a new chapter in the journey from Munich to Mars that began with the Autumn/Winter 2024 campaign. Inspired by the clean, functional lines of Bauhaus aesthetics, it looks to the future with new three-dimensional textures that become refined sculptural elements. The laurel motif, a historic emblem of the Maison, transforms into a striking detail on the elegant temple structures, while the Visetos monogram in acetate steps beyond mere decoration, evolving from symbol to substance. Without losing its connection to heritage, MCM transforms everyday life into a personal and aesthetic experience, where each frame becomes a mark of modernity, dynamism, and individual expression.

Limited Edition

The centerpiece of the collection is the new exclusive “Mars Mask” sunglasses — a bold, ultra-modern metal shield frame produced in a limited series. Inspired by astronauts’ helmets, the frame’s sleek, enveloping silhouette is elevated by a top spoiler and diamond-cut metal details on the lenses: a futuristic touch of luxury that highlights the eyewear’s high-tech, dynamic architecture. Produced in limited numbers and presented in a special commemorative case, these sunglasses perfectly capture MCM’s timeless spirit: creative, revolutionary, and always in motion — towards a bright future.

Marcolin: a 65-Year Legacy

The Founding Year

We may have forgotten, but in the early 1960s Italy was, quite literally, a different country. After running water and electricity, the first household appliances were beginning to enter homes, Fiat had just launched the 500, and the Autostrada del Sole motorway was still under construction.

These were the years of the economic boom, an extraordinary period of growth and opportunity, when the Italian economy was transforming, moving away from its agricultural roots. Small artisanal workshops in the Veneto region became central players in the country’s industrial development. It was within this context that the “Veneto Eyewear District” was born, the ideal environment for manufacturing temples and components for third-party eyewear producers. And it was precisely in this setting that Giovanni Coffen Marcolin began his entrepreneurial journey. In 1961, with a single machine installed in his basement and the support of his wife, he founded his own “artisan workshop” in Cadore.

The Company Takes Shape

Reading the early chapters of Marcolin’s history, one immediately understands Giovanni Coffen Marcolin’s first great strength: his ability to recognize the signals of change in a world where excellence and innovation were becoming essential. But crucially, he understood that growth required moving beyond the boundaries of a small artisan workshop.Thus, in 1964, “Marcolin Occhiali Doublé” was established. No longer a small family-run operation, but a growing company employing dozens, and soon hundreds, of local workers. The brand began reaching a broader audience through advertising, initially sponsoring ski competitions in Cortina, followed later by campaigns in newspapers and on television.From that moment onward, Marcolin’s success continued to expand. Three years later, the company relocated and expanded its facilities, first to Vallesella di Cadore and then, in 1980, to Longarone, where its headquarters remain today, now complemented by the new production plant in Fortogna.

An International Outlook

Marcolin’s second key strength? Its immediate international vision.

In 1968, the company made its debut on the global market, starting with the United States, distributing its products through a network of eight distributors. A few years later, it entered France, opening a subsidiary there in 1976, soon followed by branches in Switzerland and Germany.

Throughout this expansion, the company maintained direct and personal relationships with its partners, just as the founder had done in his small workshop in Cadore.

It is precisely from that unique cultural and geographical context, the cradle of Italy’s finest manufacturing tradition, that Marcolin’s success can truly be understood today. A company capable of combining artisanal excellence with advanced technologies, continuous research into materials, and refined design.

Qualities that, even today, the world continues to admire and value.

Zhang Hongyang

1

What does this symbolic animal of 2026 represent?

«With the arrival of the Chinese New Year, this steed charges forward. It carries the clarity of a new vision and the boldness of a new style—a momentum infused with power and grace. But it is when art meets craftsmanship that inspiration truly takes shape: together with Marcolin, we created a steed called ‘New Vision.’ From a single brushstroke to a fully realized frame, from concept to product, this is not just the birth of eyewear—it is an aesthetic journey that begins in the Year of the Horse».

2

Your works convey both immense energy and meticulous study. Do you see parallels with a designer’s work?

«A painting always starts with a single line of inspiration, evolving into a considered form and only completed when its spirit emerges. A new Marcolin frame follows the same path: precisely sculpted, imbued with character, and finished with soul. It is an artifact of vision, both literal and figurative. Eyewear design and artistic creation share the same essence: creativity as foundation, craftsmanship as structure. In painting a horse, a single precise stroke can define the clarity of its gaze, while a splash of ink captures the drive of its gallop. This mirrors the craft of eyewear, where the design of components, executed with millimetric precision, coexists with the intuitive hand-sculpting of curves».

3

How can the choice of material influence the final outcome?

«When selecting canvases, pigments, or inks, the material itself—for instance, the absorbency of rice paper or the texture of oil paint—deeply shapes the expressive result. The same applies to eyewear design: the choice of materials, from acetate to metal to innovative bio-based compounds, defines the tactile quality and user experience of the object».

Alberto Fratantonio

1

More than two years ago, after an extensive professional journey in the eyewear industry, you became Head of the Southern EMEA area for Marcolin. What are the strengths and challenges that characterize this particular market segment?

«Southern EMEA represents a significant and well-established part of the European market, where our main strengths are diversity, solidity, and relationships. Here, we have the right mix of sales channels, combining independent opticians with chain stores. Over the years, we have invested heavily both to consolidate traditional channels and to implement platforms for automated restocking management. Looking ahead, I see two main challenges: finding the right balance between craftsmanship and technological innovation, and generational change. In terms of innovation, for example, we are at a crucial historical moment: AI will profoundly reshape the current landscape, and we must be ready and prepared to harness its enormous potential ethically, with the goal of being the best partner for our clients».

2

Between technological innovation, design, and artisanal quality, which “ingredient” makes the difference when choosing a pair of glasses?

«There isn’t one ingredient more important than the others: craftsmanship, design, and technological innovation are all essential today to maintain a healthy and fruitful business relationship. Almost everyone asks for the same things: an excellent product, quality relationships, and impeccable after-sales service. That is why, in recent years, we have invested heavily in these pillars, with the goal of putting the client at the center of most decision-making processes»

3

On the occasion of the inauguration of this new showroom in Barcelona, how do you think the new Marcolin home can serve as a lever and advantage for clients in the Iberian area?

«Barcelona is the latest in a series of important Marcolin inaugurations worldwide, following New York, London, and Paris. This new space will allow us to place our clients even more at the center, continuing to strengthen our relationships with them. Opening the doors of our new home will also allow us to organize sales and training events, as well as present our extraordinary brand portfolio in a truly unique setting».