Meta eyes smart glasses market with reported EssilorLuxottica stake

Global – Meta is reportedly taking a £2.6bn ($3.5bn, €3bn) stake in EssilorLuxottica, emphasising the tech giant’s growing commitment to smart eyewear as a fashion-forward tech frontier.

The move follows a multi-year partnership between the two companies, best known for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. First launched in 2021 and updated in 2023, the now AI-enabled frames have proven to be a surprising commercial success, with more than 2m pairs sold to date. Meta is now doubling down with the launch of a second line: the new Oakley Meta smart glasses, a sports-focused range capable of capturing 3K video and responding to Meta AI prompts.

According to Vogue Business, the reported 3–5% stake gives Meta more than just design cachet – it provides access to EssilorLuxottica’s global distribution network, manufacturing power and luxury licensing portfolio, from Prada to Chanel. 

The strategic shift is clear: fashion brands are no longer just collaborators – they’re central partners. Tech giants are recognising the need for design credibility, with Google partnering with Gentle Monster, Warby Parker, and Kering Eyewear. Apple is also expected to enter the market in 2026. These collaborations show that when style meets substance, AR-ready eyewear becomes not just functional, but desirable.

Meta’s investment appears to be a strategic play to maintain its first-mover advantage – and scale smart eyewear from niche innovation to mass-market tech accessory, a shift LS:N Global previously analysed in Six Smart Glasses Innovations With Eyes on the Future.