Eyecon 2025: Discover Emerging Independent Eyewear Talent

Eyecon, the luxury eyewear trade show founded by Tarrence Lackran, returns to New York City March 6 to 8 at The Glasshouse with an even sharper focus on emerging talent, many making their debuts in the U.S. at the event. “Eyecon was built to be the discovery engine for luxury eyewear in the U.S. — the place where buyers and press can see what’s next before the rest of the market catches up,” Lackran said. “We’re not trying to be the biggest show — we’re building the most curated, the most intentional, and the most design-led. New York is the global stage for that kind of introduction, and for 2026 we’re bringing in a powerful wave of independent brands with real design authority.” Following its debut show in 2025, the founder said he received strong feedback from boutique retailers and independent brands, with many noting that the experience “felt different — more curated, more intimate, and more aligned with how luxury actually operates.” Buyers, he explained, responded to the intentionality of the brand mix and the show’s cultural point-of-view, emphasizing an environment designed for relationship building alongside playing orders. This sophomore edition reflects Lackran’s sense of what’s next with a mix of established designers and next-generation design studios from across the globe redefining the category. Case in point: about one-third of the brands at the show will be exhibiting in the U.S. for the first time. Lackran’s commitment to discovery is rooted in his long-standing passion for independent eyewear and craftsmanship-led design. “I’ve always loved independent eyewear because it’s where true innovation lives,” he explained. “Independent founders are design-obsessed; many of them are building brands the same way fashion designers build houses: with world-building, craft, and point-of-view. They’re not just making frames — they’re building culture.” The debut show had a selection of 35 brands, and the March 2026 edition is aiming for 50 brands with a mix of luxury and craftsmanship-led houses, including Ahlem, Lapima, Dita Lancier Leisure Society, Max Pittion, Sauvage, Shady Characters, Selima Optique, Diffuser Tokyo, Oscar Magnuson, Silhouette, Kuro Athletics, For Art’s Sake, Yoshinori Aoyama, Factory 900, Lazarre Studio, Cherry Optical Lab, Coti, Ogi, Article One, Seraphin, Scojo, Valdo and more. “When nearly one-third of our brand partners are exhibiting in the U.S. for the first time, it’s a signal that eyewear is shifting — and Eycon is where that shift becomes visible,” Lackran said of the U.S. debuts of brands including Sato, Akila, Esmont, Off-White, Palm Angels, Port Tanger, Sestini, Qed, Ducloux Lunettes, Annu, and Skans. “Eyecon is exactly the type of platform that supports independent designers,” said Kevin Godart-Elbaz, founder of Sato. “It’s curated, it’s intentional, and it attracts retailers who are looking for what’s next — not what’s already everywhere. We’re proud to be part of the 2026 edition.” Lackran reported his 2025 show was planned in just 90 days, but welcomed around 500 attendees, of whom 300 were buyers. So far he says the 2026 edition’s registration is up 30 percent over last year, with momentum growing.