MILAN—The 11th edition of DaTE closed last weekend and the contemporary eyewear show, held here Sept. 9-10, reported a varied lineup of exhibitors and a strong attendance. DaTE welcomed approximately 1,000 high-profile industry professionals and buyers, predominantly Italian but some from quite distant countries, like Chile, India, the U.S., Taiwan and Israel. “The formula of two days rather than three was well-received. It allowed exhibitors to focus their efforts and optimize the time available and their investment,” remarked Giovanni Vitaloni, president of DaTE.

“This confirms that, regardless of its format and duration, DaTE is a highly anticipated event and a valuable tool for trade professionals to launch their new collections in the month of September, in other words, at the beginning of the new season,” Vitaloni said.

Organizers reported that among the many innovations displayed at DaTE, many trends were on view among the stands. These trends included gender-free styles, sustainable products in bio-based acetate or recycled carbon fiber, exclusive materials, like Indian buffalo horn, or combinations of luxurious wood and gold with acetate, alongside recycled objects, vintage shapes drawn from the great classics of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, entirely hand-made and tailor-made products as well as those printed in 3D.

 
 
They noted lots of color, including green, violet, fuchsia, orange, yellow, red and neon. But also grey, brown, tortoiseshell, and black and white, for those who love timeless style.

This year DaTE hosted several debut participants from very different countries, like South Korea and Tunisia, as well as returning players. Also new was the dramatic staging of the exhibit area, embellished with images from the communication campaign, developed exclusively for DaTE by LYF, focusing on faces and eyes, and by scenic elements.

The organizers are already planning the next DaTE and will share updates soon.