OPTICAL PRISM | ON THE COVER
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FF0436 to treat themselves to a little indulgence after months of only shopping for essentials , and especially , since the rest of one ’ s face is covered by a mask for the foreseeable future .”
Luxury eyewear , he noted , is a “ relatively inexpensive ” way for consumers to have access to high-end luxury brands like Fendi or Dior , “ without spending thousands of dollars on a bag or shoes .”
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The Bain & Company report noted that luxury accessories have shown the most resilience amid the pandemic .
And experts say as restrictions ease and travel increases , consumers are searching post-lockdown for items that are well-made , sustainable and will last .
Blanchette said Safilo ’ s accounts are “ gravitating towards eyewear that can truly be distinguished as luxury items .”
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“ While we initially thought that the luxury eyewear market might take a serious downturn due to the effects of COVID-19 on the economy , this has actually not been the case ,” says Eric Blanchette , executive vice-president of Safilo North America ( Canada & Eastern USA ).
“ In fact , there seems to be pent up demand for luxury products since our customers reopened . It makes consumers feel good to be wearing a luxury brand of eyewear , especially in light of the current times , as people want
The big logo mania trend has been a strong seller within the company ’ s Fendi , Dior and Jimmy Choo collections , he said , as well as “ anything from a styling perspective that links back to the fashion house in a recognizable way .”
“ The new F is Fendi collection , for example , is selling through very well because the Fendi logo is prominently displayed over the front of the frames . Scarcity also plays a role when it comes to luxury eyewear ; consumers really appreciate limited edition styles or special launch collections and these aspects really drive sales and consumer sell-through .”
Safilo is the leader in the premium sector for sunglasses , optical frames and sports eyewear ,
18 OPTICAL PRISM | October 2020