Architectural Cases

The inception of Meta's widely recognized Ray-Ban smart glasses can be traced back to an unconventional initiative: a direct email sent by EssilorLuxottica executive Rocco Basilico to Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Basilico, fueled by a long-standing aspiration to integrate technology seamlessly into eyewear, personally reached out to leading tech corporations, utilizing what he believed were the correct email formats for their executives.

Basilico's initial proposal, discussed during Meta Connect, focused on a straightforward concept: integrating basic digital functionalities, particularly Instagram, into Ray-Ban's iconic Wayfarer design. However, Zuckerberg quickly recognized a broader potential, suggesting the development of a more comprehensive product that would function across Meta's entire digital ecosystem. This pivotal exchange between Basilico and Zuckerberg, occurring just three days after the initial outreach, laid the groundwork for the collaborative venture between Meta and EssilorLuxottica.

Since its establishment in 2019, the partnership has flourished, leading to substantial advancements and an expanding market presence. Notably, by July of the current year, Meta had secured a minority stake in EssilorLuxottica, valued at approximately €3 billion, with provisions to increase its ownership further. EssilorLuxottica's CEO, Francesco Milleri, has even articulated a bold vision for smart glasses to eventually supersede smartphones. In pursuit of this ambition, the company aims to significantly boost the annual production of Ray-Ban Meta glasses to 10 million units by the conclusion of the upcoming year. The growing popularity of these smart glasses is evident in their market performance; by October 2024, they had emerged as the leading product in a significant majority of Ray-Ban outlets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Furthermore, in September 2025, Meta broadened its product line with the introduction of two new models: the Oakley Meta Vanguard, tailored for athletes, and the Ray-Ban Meta Display, which incorporates an augmented reality screen. Concurrently, Apple is reportedly developing its own range of mixed-reality devices and smart glasses, signaling a burgeoning competitive landscape in the smart eyewear sector.

This narrative exemplifies how groundbreaking innovations can emerge from unexpected origins, driven by visionary individuals and the courage to initiate transformative collaborations. The success of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses underscores the importance of embracing forward-thinking ideas and the potential for technology to redefine everyday objects, ultimately enhancing our lives.