In the third of a three-part look at the HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair, Raphael Rambeau, Head of Product Development and Exports for Lafont, and Jason Shih, Deputy General Manager of Sunfree, assess the latest trends making an impact in the world of eyewear.

In the second of a three-part look at the HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair, Jason Shih, Deputy General Manager of Sunfree, Raphael Rambeau, Head of Product Development for Lafont, and Kenny Cheung, General Manager, Solos Technology assess the latest trends.

In the first of three-part look at the HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair, Raphael Rambeau, Head of Product Development and Exports for Lafont, and Alex Choi, Head of Asia Sales for Mondottica, assess the latest trends making an impact throughout the world of eyewear.

Hong Kong was the world’s third-largest exporter of spectacles and frames in 2022. In 2022, the city’s total exports of spectacles, lenses and frames fell by 3% year-on-year to HK$19.1 bn. The EU27 and the US were the two biggest markets for Hong Kong’s exports, accounting for more than half of the total. Hong Kong's spectacles companies specialise in making medium to high-end frames. They mainly make products for overseas buyers and renowned international brands on an OEM/ODM basis from manufacturing bases in mainland China and ASEAN countries.

With a recent survey showing that US consumers regard eyewear spending as exempt from inflationary considerations, it was no wonder that many of the happily reunited exhibitors and attendees at the Las Vegas-hosted Vision Expo West 2022 remained upbeat about future prospects.

With overseas arrivals freed from quarantine obligations, hopes are high that Hong Kong’s exhibition sector is set for imminent revival.

On 20 July, the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation released rules for random sampling inspections of 52 types of products, including toys, pens, roller shoes, schoolbags, students’ supplies, sports helmets, knitted sports protective gear, exercise books, cleaning towels and pelt products.

In December 2021, the new GB standard, GB 39552.1-2020, for Sunglasses and Sunglare filters has been implemented as a mandatory requirement in China. The objective of the new standard is to specify classifications and requirements for sunglasses, sunglare filters, clip-on sunglasses and replacement filters.

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Getting back to live events was just one of the highlights of the recent Vision Expo West 2021. One of its key messages, however, was that advanced technology, such as augmented reality, is set to play an essential role in the future of the global optical and eyewear industry.