For a long time, aluminium—both an ancient and a modern material—has been widely used in design and architecture. Among the pioneers was architect and designer Adolf Loos, who made extensive use of it for its lightness, versatility and durability, as well as its ability to absorb and reflect light. It was also adopted to clad the Empire State Building in New York by the architectural firm that designed it in the 1930s. And it was precisely sheets of aluminium that covered Marc Newson’s armchair which, in 2015, achieved an all-time auction record of $3.7 million.

Today, another characteristic is driving more and more eyewear companies to embrace this material: sustainability. Aluminium is in fact 100% recyclable—and infinitely so—without ever losing its distinctive properties. It is no coincidence that Mykita, one of the most sustainability-conscious players in the sector, has introduced ultralight aluminium for the first time in collaboration with Rimowa, the brand renowned for its innovative suitcases. In the Mykita | Rimowa capsule collection, the MR001 model from the Heritage line features a panto shape that highlights the purity of the two materials used: stainless steel and aluminium. The premium lenses provide 100% UV protection and are treated to be anti-reflective and scratch-resistant.

Another brand whose very name reflects its ongoing commitment to sustainability and the circular economy is Eco Eyewear. With the Aluminium collection, it debuts recycled aluminium, presenting the women’s Aura model, available in four colour variants. Its slim, clean hexagonal shape enhances the satin finish. One of aluminium’s key qualities is its ability to enhance simple, essential forms, thanks to the distinctive luminosity it lends to objects.

For some companies, aluminium has even become the sole material used. This is the case with Fabòor, which produces eyewear in Ergal 7075 T6—an aluminium alloy subjected to deep anodisation, allowing for vivid colours, superior strength and an almost velvety touch. Drawing inspiration from Italian Futurism, Fabòor creates true micro-architectures, such as the Palladio model from the Art Line (as seen in the opening image), which plays with the superimposition of two rims, one round and the other hexagonal.