The race for fashion and smart glasses has begun

Like it or not, Smart glasses are emerging As a major trend from more companies than it seems possible to track. With already dead Release waves from glasses Over the past year and have more on deck for this year, and Google is preparing itselfMore fashion brands are getting into the mix. Obviously, Gucci is one of them.

Gucci brand, powered by Google Android Smart glasses are coming next year, Luca Di Meo, CEO of fashion eyewear maker Kering, said. He said Reuters Thursday.

This isn’t a surprise since Kering — which makes several fashionable eyewear brands, including Gucci — actually announced the Android XR glasses partnership a year ago. But it’s a sign that many other familiar brands are now moving quickly to develop smart glasses, whether with Meta, Google or others.

Reebok has prescription-ready smart glassesmade by Lucyd, and Sports equipment bearing the Oakley brand of Meta Aim for a similar area. There have been reports for over a year that EssilorLuxottica, Meta’s key partner, may announce the addition of more brands into its portfolio alongside the existing Oakley and Ray-Ban smart glasses. Pradaanother luxury brand in Gucci territory, could be next.

Google is also expected to make its debut Its line of smart glasses This year, alongside Warby Parker and Korean fashion brand Gentle Monster.

The precedent of smart watches for smart fashion glasses

It strongly reminds me of what happened with smartwatches about a decade ago. When Google launched smartwatches running Android Wear (now known as Wear OS), Tons of fashion brands Who also participated: Tag Heuer, Montblanc and Fossil Group all come to mind.

Over time, the number of fashion smartwatches dwindled as more companies disappeared or were acquired, and big tech companies began to take over their popular brands. It’s more based on the technical brand The world of smart watches now.

Apple is expected Launching its own smart glasses Next year, it will likely be made by Apple… but fashion partnerships could still emerge as well. Apple already has it Hermes and Nike Apple Watch variants with custom bands.

Smartglasses still feel like they’re outside the standard eyewear space, but more prescription-friendly models should be the next trend. It has to happen, because anyone who already wears glasses and wants to switch will expect it.

I’m sure there’s a lot more to come, especially with Meta and Google preparing to find fashion partners, and Apple on the horizon. EssilorLuxottica, as well as Kering, have a lot of brands in their portfolios that haven’t even begun to be exploited.