From 1970s to Y2K, detailing and pastels: Mondottica’s 2023 trends

Mondottica gave OT a tour of the key trends we can expect to see in eyewear this summer

4 min read

10 May 2023

From 1970s to the 2000s, from out-there detailing to gentle pastels, Mondottica has identified four key trends set to be seen in eyewear this spring and summer 2023.

On a bright spring day at the end of April, Mondottica invited press to The Library at 1 Warwick Street, Soho, to take a look at the latest collections from a selection of its brands.

Frames were displayed from Joules, Vivienne Westwood, Scotch & Soda, Ted Baker, Hackett, and Karen Millen.

Collections were divided into five overarching themes that the team at Mondottica have identified as a unifying thread for 2023: 1970s, Y2K, ‘temple details,’ pastels and sustainability.

Tony Pessok, CEO of Mondottica, shared insight into the design process: “Our eyewear collections are inspired by a variety of elements. Shape and colour trends are largely led by the industry, but detailing, pattern, finish and tones are influenced by the DNA of our brands.”

Highlighting key design features that make the different collections stand out, Pessok told OT: “In Scotch & Soda you will see bespoke ripple and sunburst core-wires; Vivienne Westwood carries the iconic orb alongside bold shapes and colours; Joules has unmistakable pattern details.”

Summarising why practices should be excited about this season’s eyewear, he added: “These collections have a fantastic array of classic and modern designs, extensive colour combinations and are all the highest quality. There is something for everyone from the more conservative to the fashion forward. With many sustainable options, customers won’t have to sacrifice sustainability to look good and feel great in their frames.”

Back to the future

Mondottica picked out two key decades as style influences for summer 2023.

Mirroring the popularity of Amazon Prime drama Daisy Jones & the Six (based on the book of the same name) which was released this year, 1970s-inspiration is a key trend that can be seen in oversized frames and ombré lenses in the upcoming season, Mondottica shared.

A stand-out from the collections on display was Hackett’s ‘Melford’ frame in a classic aviator shape featuring a combination of acetate and metal.

Karen Millen’s retro-inspired sunglasses take oversized to another level. The ‘KM5055’ presents Hollywood glamour in classic Havana tortoiseshell with softly rounded edges.

From styles inspired by the aesthetic of 1970s rock, to the popstars of Y2K – a trend that has been gaining popularity in recent years and draws from the fashions early 2000s – and that Mondottica assures us “shows no signs of abating.”

The ‘Yara’ and ‘Lovelace’ sunglasses from Vivienne Westwood play with heart silhouettes and contrasting end tips for a fun, statement style.

Scotch & Soda’s ‘Marina’ frame is another show-stopping style featuring a sunset graduated lens, double layer front in acetate, and sides that house a bespoke ripple core wire.

Pessok shared with OT that the ‘Marina’ frame is a particular success story, as the frame in the ‘Gloss Berry Gradient’ colourway was shortlisted for the Love Eyewear Awards at 100% Optical earlier this year, adding: “We are hoping to enter more of our frames later in the year at Silmo D’Or.”

Construction tricks

Stepping out of the time machine, Mondottica also pointed to three trends in materials, frame design and colourways this summer.

Sustainability continues to be an important focus for Mondottica, which has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact Network UK since 2021, and plays a role in several of the collections.

Acetate frames from the SUN23 collections of Vivienne Westwood, Joules and Scotch & Soda are made from Eastman Acetate Renew, which incorporates certified recycled content made from waste plastics.

Pessok explained: “From 2023, 100% of the optical collection and 50% of the sun collection from Joules will be made from Acetate Renew.”

“The packaging for these collections is also made from sustainable materials. The cases are made from RPET Leather, a fabric that is made from plastic bottles,” he continued.

From the collections: Joules’ ‘Beech’ sunglasses feature a vibrant floral pattern, benefitting from being both an eye-catching style, and a more sustainable design.

The company also picked out ‘temple detailing’ as a focus this season, with eyewear collections full of bold, distinctive, or quirky details on the sides of the frames.

Scotch and Soda have fun with frame sides, from pared-down combinations of materials, to bold, chunky arms, or fine metal details.

Ted Baker’s ‘Marcie’ frame features metal sides with cut-out details and a magnolia emblem on the end tips, softening the bold front of the frame.

Finally, pastels are quietly stealing the show in eyewear this year, from baby pinks and sky blues, to bright greens, and from traditional, wearable styles, to more of a fashion statement.

Hackett’s ‘Warwick’ offers a round vintage style in a honey-coloured frame with tortoiseshell sides.