Glasses Are Entering a New Era: From Fashion to Future Interfaces
From those retro round frames that feel super artsy, to edgy polygon ones that look like they're from the future, glasses are way more than just for seeing. They're using cool designs to totally redefine "how you show your style with your eyes."
01. AR Frame X – Modular Intelligence
Design by COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC. (Taipei, TW)
This one mixes trendy glasses with AR tech—super cool! Its TWS frame is genius: you can swap out lens modules in seconds to turn it into AR glasses. No need to buy a whole new pair, so it saves money and is better for the planet. Plus, it connects to cloud services, so you can get smart features easily—like checking messages or maps right in front of your eyes.
02. A.EYE – Creative Assistance in 3D
Design by dot & Ho Hyun RIM
A.EYE positions itself as a productivity tool for designers and stylists. By creating a highly efficient visual environment, it simplifies scale and proportion challenges in 3D workflows. The result: faster iteration cycles, reduced production costs, and an intuitive way to preview designs in real-world dimensions.
03. VISOO – Capturing Space, Not Just Images
Design by
Unlike traditional video devices, VISOO records depth and spatial positioning, offering immersive “space video.” This allows creators to document not just moments but environments. Adaptable to both handheld use and magnetic eyewear mounts, VISOO expands the possibilities for storytelling across social media, entertainment, and professional fields.
04. Polaris Extreme – AR for Harsh Environments
Design by Alessandro Pennese
This one's for adventure lovers! It's made for tough environments—like hiking in the mountains or camping in the wild. The front has a camera, temperature sensor, and motion sensor. You can adjust the antenna to talk on walkie-talkies, and it uses bone conduction to let you hear (so you don't miss sounds around you!). It even checks your body stats (like heart rate) and shows them on the AR screen.
05. Emple Glasses – Redefining Comfort
Design by Emre Acikgoz & Sinusoidal Studio
These have a totally unique design! The sides (where the legs meet your head) have anti-slip pads that fit perfectly on your temples. They use your head's natural support, so no more pressing on your ears! If you wear glasses all day, you know how sore ears can get—sometimes even infections. These fix that problem totally.
06. Portable AR Glasses – Immersive on the Go
Design by Areum Gu
Lightweight and compact, this AR headset brings immersive experiences into portable form. Detailed virtual environments are rendered with remarkable clarity, supporting applications from gaming to virtual learning. Its design emphasizes accessibility, enabling extended use without fatigue.
07. MOVI XR Glasses – Entertainment Anywhere
Design by Woojin Jang
Originally envisioned as a disruption to theater and streaming platforms, MOVI is a minimalist XR headset optimized for entertainment mobility. Whether at home, on an airplane, or in transit, it delivers large-screen viewing in a lightweight form factor, redefining how users consume media.
08. RUNNIN' AR Sport Goggles – Data-Driven Performance
Design by Jaehong Park
RUNNIN' applies AR and AI to athletic training. By analyzing posture and projecting corrections directly into the user's field of view, it acts as a real-time coach. Paired with data tracking and historical comparisons, the goggles aim to reduce injuries and optimize performance — an evolution in how athletes engage with wearables.
The eyewear industry is transitioning from optical correction tools to multi-layered lifestyle platforms. As these concepts illustrate, the next generation of glasses will not only refine how we see the world, but also how we work, play, move, and survive within it.
What was once a symbol of necessity is rapidly becoming the most personal — and possibly most powerful — interface of the future.