High tech eyewear is taking centre stage at the HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair which opened Wednesday and continues until Friday (November 6) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
This year’s fair welcomes a record 750 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions, with a strong focus on global brands.

Such is the interest from offshore, the popular Brand Name Gallery has been relocated to Grand Hall on Level 3 and this year hosts 220 brands from 22 countries and regions. Top brands on display include A Bathing Ape, Italia Independent, Jaeger, Kenzo, LGR, Mango, Markus-T, Slastik, Superdry and the Red Dot Award-winning Korean brand Seesun.
But it is the high tech innovations catching most of the attention this year. Smart eyewear with advanced functions showcased by Hong Kong Optical Lens Co, including the Epson Moverio BT-200, Google Glass, Recon Jet and Vuzix M100, give fairgoers a glimpse of the future.

 
Innovative eyewear built from 3D printing, which helps to lower manufacturing costs and allows smaller-scale production, is another trend on show at the fair. Unique, high-end creations by leading eyewear brands such as ic! berlin and Morgenrot from Germany, pq By Ron Arad from Italy and Monoqool from Denmark demonstrate the wide range of design possibilities opened up by 3D printing.

Highlighted products in the broader exhibition include:

• Limited edition model KZDPE1401 by Kenzo, previously featured at the Kenzo runway show in Paris Fashion Week, with trendy mirror lens and temple tips resembling a pair of planet-shaped pearl earrings.
• Minima hybrid by Minima, which has received a number of industry distinctions, with a fully adjustable, hypoallergenic 5.8-gram frame made of acetate and titanium.
• Eyes Cloud optical frames, which won Japan’s Good Design Award in 2013, created by a Japanese designer and made of super engineering plastic (ultem) known for its outstanding lightness, elasticity, flexibility and strength.
• Environment-friendly Natura eco-acetate frames made with completely bio-degradable materials.

To offer more business opportunities, the HKTDC has organised over 70 buying missions from 47 countries and regions, representing major importers, distributors and retailers. Vision Planet SRL from Argentina, Amazon (China) Investment Co from the Chinese mainland, Fokus Optik AS from Czech Republic, Dega Plus Company from Kazakhstan, Athletic Sport Group (Grupo Illice) from Spain, Lotte Department Store from South Korea and Majestic Optics Co from the UAE have sent their buying teams to the fair.