MIDO 2026: eyewear looks to the future!

From January 31st to February 2nd 2026, the 54th edition of the MIDO Eyewear Show , the largest global event dedicated to the world of eyewear 👓🌍, was held at Fiera Milano Rho — a unique meeting point for brands, designers, buyers and enthusiasts like us!

📊 Numbers that tell the story of a vibrant industry

This year too, MIDO confirmed its international strength:

• 📍 over 1,200 exhibitors from more than 50 different countries;

• 🌎 expected visitors from around 160 countries (and we're talking about over 50,000 people including professionals and industry insiders);

• 🎤 hundreds of accredited journalists and dozens of dedicated talks, workshops, and events.

In short, a true global hub where eyewear is not just a product, but culture, trends, and networking ✨.

🔥 The eyewear trends that have struck us

We wandered around the pavilions and stands to uncover the trends that will guide the 2026/2027 season – here are the hottest ones:

💡 1. Eyewear as a personal language

No longer just an accessory, but an expression of identity : glasses tell who you are before you even speak 👀.

🌊 2. Water Lights – transparency and light

Lightweight, transparent frames with luminous effects that transform the color and give a contemporary twist to the look.

🔥 3. Magma – intense and organic matter

More “primordial” lines, textured and three-dimensional surfaces that seem to take shape like lava, mixing tradition and hi-tech design.

🗺️ 4. Carnet de Voyage – globetrotter style

Shapes and graphics that evoke travel, urban cultures, and international symbolism – perfect for those who love glasses with a story.

♻️ + Ultra trend: sustainability

Bio-responsible materials (bio-acetates, recycled light metals) are now a must in the most interesting collections.

👓 MIDO is not just fashion — it's strategy

In addition to visual trends, we saw:

• talks on the future of the sector and workshops on innovation, sustainability and digitalisation ;

• Vision Stage , a platform where international experts shared insights on leadership, technology and global trends;

• MIDO Awards and new prizes dedicated to social responsibility and the most virtuous companies.

In short, it is not only beautiful to look at , but also useful to experience 📈🤝.

🔎 Cool fair trivia

✨ The Lens of Time : a spectacular exhibition that tells the evolution of eyewear from history to contemporary collections, with a special installation on display in the pavilion.

✨ For the first time this year, there was an even stronger focus on independent design and emerging brands, with dedicated spaces where true creative enthusiasm could be felt.

✨ Many companies have presented digital tools and apps for managing trade fair visits smartly, from booking meetings to managing the exhibitor catalog.

👓 What does all this mean to you?

For us who love eyewear:

👉 there are new shapes and materials to explore,
👉 global trends that are also reflected in the collections that will arrive between now and spring,
👉 and, above all, lots of stylistic inspiration that helps us choose glasses that are not only beautiful... but meaningful . 😎

The new trends seen at the fair are already taking shape in the collections available on www.mrshadeshop.com . Discover them in the coming weeks in the New Arrivals section.

If the future of eyewear passes through Milan, your next pair of glasses passes through here.