Eyewear as fashion: A story intertwined with culture, health and technology

Juanjuan “June” He

Fashion or necessity? Trendy device or assistive technology? Throughout history, eyewear has played various roles in human civilization. It can be a reflection of personality, a symbol of social class, an indication of a medical condition, a bellwether of trending cultural and political phenomenon or a wearable technology that intrigues the mass consumers. Eyewear as a product category is embedded in fashion, while also far beyond fashion. In this article, we explore the multifaceted relationship between eyewear fashion and its influence on society by examining a series of projects developed by the author over a decade-long career in the eyewear design industry. These case studies include a collaboration with a fashion house and a celebrity, investigating human facial ergonomics and eyewear fitting, utilizing advanced manufacturing platforms and materials, and reviewing the latest technology and smart eyewear offerings. Drawing on insider knowledge of the eyewear industry, the author guides you through the impact of fashion as a design element on the eyewear development process, and conversely, how eyewear as a product imposes constraints on the fluidity of fashion.