They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Whether you want to make a stand or express something to the world, it’s only right that we treat eyewear as a fashion statement. It's more than just about the frame’s design, but also how it fits the shape of your face ultimately enhancing how you look, while also improving vision and fulfilling your lifestyle needs.

With over two centuries of rich history, the Kering Group continues to lead the industry with its expertise in creating modern and authentic luxury pieces for its discerning clientele, and this includes stunning eyewear pieces that can help you make a statement every day.

The Beat Manila attended a dazzling showcase at Gallio Events, Parañaque City as the global luxury group presented its Fall/Winter 2024 eyewear collection to the Philippine market. Read on to learn more about this season’s features and standouts.

Fashion and Innovation Collide

Since its establishment in 1962, Kering has acquired numerous prestigious luxury houses, including well-known brands like Cartier, Dunhill, Gucci, Montblanc, Puma, and Saint Laurent.

Each of these brands presented a lineup of eyewear pieces that blends traditional and contemporary designs infused with innovative technology that is thoughtfully designed and distinct in its own right.

The new Cartier collection blends timeless design with modern elegance and exceptional craftsmanship. Key pieces include the Trinity 100th Anniversary edition, which is available in rose, yellow, and platinum, and the Santos de Cartier models inspired by the classic 1904 Santos watch. The collection also offers a range of styles, from bold to rimless frames, that surely cater to different tastes. The Première de Cartier line also brings back ‘80s charm with enamel accents and godron motifs, while the Panthère de Cartier designs evoke luxury with cat-like accents.

Fashion house Dunhill features vintage-inspired frames crafted from faceted acetate and lightweight titanium, which is meant to reflect British music icons. There’s also a new navigator style with a round frame and structured bridge. The latest collection highlights the seamless blend of tradition and modern masculinity through its selection of both optical and sunglass styles.

Gucci’s latest eyewear collection is a celebration of the purest of designs that merge sophisticated details with intricate craftsmanship. You can don eyewear with neutral and vibrant colors, as well as with matte, shiny, and transparent finishes that enhance oversized geometric shapes.

Gucci’s iconic symbols appear as metallic embellishments, embossed scripts, or as the interlocking G logo across various styles. The collection also includes a limited edition of numbered models crafted from ReAce, a 100% recycled material derived from pre-consumer acetate scraps that showcases unique and colorful patterns, making each frame one of a kind.

Designed under the artistic direction of Marco Tomasetta, the Montblanc Fall/Winter 2024 Eyewear Collection is inspired by the 100th anniversary of the Meisterstück and features slim contours, Snowcap emblems, and refined metal accents. The iconic Nib motif is presented in both geometric and navigator styles. Modern sports aesthetics are also reflected in Extreme 3.0 patterns on rubber temples. Overall, this collection is a presentation of the brand’s evolving heritage as they continue to offer luxurious and versatile eyewear.

Anthony Vaccarello presents Saint Laurent’s iconic codes in a new eyewear collection featuring beloved silhouettes and refined details. Metal sunglasses introduce curvilinear shapes with side spoilers, while injected frames and bilayer structures create daring contrasts. The Saint Laurent logo gets a retro-inspired and high-impact design, as well as vintage versions on bold acetate frames. Transparent temples reveal a luminous metal core, while gilded YSL monograms embellish cat-eye styles. It’s a fusion of elegance and edge, providing you with the perfect eyewear for any occasion.

Meanwhile, sports brand Puma designs pieces not just for athletes but for those who lead a sports-centered lifestyle. The latest collection features dynamic shapes and vibrant details, with the Running theme highlighting new color options and two-tone silhouettes that reflect speed and strength. Enhanced mask sunglasses offer comfort and stability, with flexible temples and HDR (High Dynamic Range) polycarbonate lenses for optimal vision. Safe to say, this line impressively combines fashion and functionality.

Making Things Brighter: Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 Technology

Maui Jim’s new collection named “Ekahi” — its first under Kering Eyewear, seamlessly infuses advanced technology with Hawaiian-inspired designs in various shapes and vibrant colors. We had the pleasure of learning more about the fascinating technology infused in each pair, ultimately making one's surroundings look more vibrant and colorful rather than darker like how most tinted sunglasses do.

Maui Jim features their new PolarizedPlus2 lens technology that protects against UV rays while enhancing natural light instead of dimming it, which in turn delivers exceptional color and clarity. And when we say this, we really mean it’s like stepping into Oz for the first time after being whisked away from Kansas. It’s like seeing color for the first time!

Born on the gorgeous beaches of Maui, Hawaii, Maui Jim began their journey in 1987, designing sunglasses that first and foremost aim to protect the eyes from the harsh rays of the island sun. Its founder, a local fisherman named Jim, wanted to create sunglasses that can be used more comfortably in the water, while also taking off the glare and making what you see more beautiful.

The variety of base lenses has different light filtrations, allowing people to find the right pair of glasses for their eye health needs. Maui Jim makes it a priority to protect their customers’ eyes without sacrificing your vision’s vibrancy and clarity once you put their shades on.

The new collection is divided into three main segments: MauiPure, MauiBrilliant, and SuperThin Glass which all cater to outdoor and fashion trends enthusiasts. Each segment boasts unique designs inspired by Hawaiian culture, with signature patterns like the Wavy Pattern and Slash that add a modern twist.

Today, Maui Jim has grown into a global brand — the world’s fastest-growing Premium Polarized Sunglasses brand in the world and is being sold in more than a hundred countries.

But what makes it unique from other polarized sunglasses, you might ask?

“It’s the community that we are trying to build for Maui Jim,” said Angelica Pineda, Kering’s In-Store specialist. “It’s not just about selling, but also about introducing a product that will help people’s lifestyles.”

Business Development Manager for Maui Jim, Anthony Le, also introduced us to some Hawaiian concepts and told us how much like the word “Ohana,” whose root word comes from “Oha” (shoot of a Taro plant that shares the same roots and is a vital part of life on the island), the Maui Jim brand treats their customers and retailers as family and invites everyone to try a pair and be captivated by a world filled with color.

Discover the latest eyewear innovations and designs and other luxury pieces by following Kering on Facebook and Instagram or visiting their website.

Stepping into Moda Interni is like coming home to good friends, at least to those whom you consider true bon vivants. The Italian furniture importer boasts an incredible yet comfortable showroom. Ronald Ventura paintings adorn crisp cream walls while a full marble table sits proudly at the center of the dining room.

Its walk-in closet is furnished with Louis Vuitton suits and a gorgeous, geometric Turri vanity table. A fully functional refrigerator – replete with wines and drinks – invites guests and gourmands to slow down for a tipple or two. “We want people to come in and touch everything, experience what it’s like to live with this furniture,” said Moda Interni CEO Goldwin Sison.

Needless to say, Moda Interni’s figurehead is something of a hedonist. A man with a passion for the finer things in life – cigars, art, and good food – it comes as no surprise that Goldwin now dedicates his business to bringing Filipinos furniture that is just as resplendent. "Good furniture is an investment in your lifestyle, not just an aesthetic choice,” he asserted. “It should be timeless, comfortable, and built to last, offering both function and emotional value."

At the moment, Moda Interni carries four different Italian luxury brands: Pedini, Turri, Lago, and Opera Contemporary. For himself, Goldwin is an avid fan and follower of Pedini. Founded in 1957, the brand is known for its curved kitchen designs, a rarity and a great feat. “It’s incredibly difficult to get the angles right when designing a curved kitchen,” Goldwin shared. “Nobody else in the [local] market offers it as of right now.”

It’s obvious then that Goldwin has centered his choice of furniture – and his business partners – around the ideas of innovation and good research. He partners with brands that have durable yet future-forward ideas, those that know how to keep one leg in modernity, and another in timelessness.

“When people come to us, they often buy furniture with ‘legacy’ in mind. They want to pass these pieces down to their children, their grandchildren,” Goldwin observed.

For its furniture, Moda Interni offers both superb aftersales services and customization. “Fabric and leather are huge trends in furniture today,” Goldwin shared. “For these, we have sheepskin and calfskin options. But honestly, if you told us you wanted furniture with Loro Piana fabric, we can do that too, it’s entirely possible.”

Working in luxury, after all, has taught Goldwin that experience is part of the price. And as an entrepreneur in one of the few economies with a stable luxury market, Goldwin has come to realize that Filipinos are here not just for aesthetics, but for functionality and legacy too.

A look at the Moda Interni portfolio reveals a curated line of brands, all of which have an interesting backstory. Turri, a contemporary favorite, is set to celebrate its centennial year in 2025. They constantly collaborate with esteemed designers such as Monica Armani, Paola Navone, and Matteo Nunziati to create seasonal pieces that last the test of time. Opera Contemporary, a classic-modern furniture company, is run under the esteemed Angelo Capellini brand, which is famous for its woodworking history that dates back to European royalty in 1886. Moda Interni’s most recent addition, Lago, was established in 1976 and specializes in a privately developed material called “X-glass” that creates the illusion of floating furniture.

Ultimately each piece in the Moda Interni showroom is one that’s bound to be loved. “We’re all about creating a space where people can find the perfect pieces to elevate their living experience,” Goldwin said. “We don’t mean for it to only complement lifestyles aesthetically, but also functionally.”

Moda Interni is located at 5th Floor, Bonavida Center, Diliman, Brgy. Ugong Norte, Quezon City. For more details, kindly email [email protected], or call +639177256456 to schedule an appointment.

Fashion is always a fun investment. For those who love to play dress-up, it’s obvious that no outfit is complete without accessories. Of course, the best ones are those that are functional, durable, and eye-catching. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of luxurious handbags that are the perfect accompaniment to every outfit. Aside from being beautifully made, they’re also artistically crafted to ensure that they will last the test of time.

The Valextra Iside

Quiet luxury is a growing market, especially for those who prefer not to flaunt. Among these brands is Valextra, a luxury leathermaker headquartered in Milan. Though they have many iconic designs, a top silhouette continues to be their Iside. A crossbody bag that can also be used as a handbag, the Iside comes in multiple finishes and special editions. From pastel colors to freehand art, perforated designs, and even a wicker edition, the Iside is among the many options bag collectors have when purchasing.

Newly available in the Philippines, Valextra can be found at Adora stores – and has already found fans in style icons such as Heart Evangelist and Camille Co-Koro.

Adora is located at L1 East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City

The Louis Vuitton Capucines

While not as audacious as its Monogrammed sisters, the Capucines bag is arguably one of – if not the most – sophisticated of Louis Vuitton’s designs. Not only do they come in multiple sizes and colors, but the Capucines are also a valuable collectible, akin to art. The Artycapucines line, in particular, invites renowned artists to use the bag as a canvas, with limited edition sacs from Daniel Buren, Liu Wei, and Paola Pivi. Not as common but definitely much more eye-catching, each Capucines edition adds a touch of uniqueness to any outfit or personality.

Louis Vuitton is located at G/F, Greenbelt 3, Makati City

The Ferragamo Hug

The Ferragamo Hug bag is what you need when you want an accessory that goes with everything. A highlight of the brand's 2023 and 2024 collections, it is the embodiment of understated elegance. Those who wish to add a more whimsical touch can also consider more colorful variants, such as the light caramel exotic leather or even one in Ferragamo red. Of course, those looking in neutrals won't be disappointed as many variants of the Hug come in muted, versatile tones.

Ferragamo is located at G/F, Greenbelt 4, Makati City

The Hermes Kelly

In the years since its introduction in the 1930s, the Hermes Kelly has quickly become a cult classic. Used by Grace Kelly to conceal the first signs of her pregnancy, the bag has since ballooned to include multiple versions. It has been reimagined as a backpack and even a pouch, but ultimately, the handbag version of the Kelly remains to be the most recognizable, with its signature trapezoidal shape and Touret clasp and padlock.

Hermes is located at G/F, Greenbelt 3, Makati City

The Dolce & Gabbana Sicily

Arguably one of Dolce & Gabbana’s most recognizable bags, the Sicily features a fun and edgy take on the traditional accoutrement. Not only do they come in multiple sizes – from small to medium and large – but the Sicily also plays with both proportion and texture. Some versions come in elongated styles, and or are covered in materials such as denim patchwork, votive medallions, and even eye-catching crystals.

Dolce & Gabbana is available online