LOFT EYEWEAR SHOW

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Independent eyewear

Frames designed, branded and sold by the label that owns the design, rather than produced under a licensed fashion-house name; typically small-batch, design-led and sold through boutique opticians.

2

Acetate (cellulose acetate)

A plant-derived plastic used for frame fronts and temples, cut from block or sheet, then tumbled and polished; the dominant material for design-led independent frames.

3

Bio-acetate / recycled acetate

Acetate made with bio-based or recycled content, marketed by labels as a lower-impact alternative to conventional acetate; optical buyers usually ask for the percentage and certification.

4

Beta-titanium

A flexible titanium alloy used for thin, springy temples and rimless mountings; lighter and more corrosion-resistant than standard metal frames.

5

Optical vs sun

Optical frames are built to carry prescription lenses; sun frames are tinted and usually sold plano (non-prescription), which matters when a retailer plans to glaze a style in store.

6

Plano lens

A non-prescription demo or fashion lens; independent labels often ship frames with clear plano lenses that a retailer swaps for prescription lenses at the point of sale.

7

Minimum order quantity (MOQ)

The smallest number of units a label will sell per style, colourway or collection at wholesale; a core number to establish before negotiating at an independent eyewear show.

8

Line sheet

A label's wholesale price and specification document listing styles, colourways, sizes, materials, MOQ, lead times and recommended retail prices.

9

Progressive lens

A no-line multifocal lens with distance, intermediate and near zones; opticians checking whether a fashion-forward frame is deep enough for a progressive fitting often test this on the stand.

10

Blue-light filtering lens

A lens with a coating or substrate that attenuates short-wavelength blue light, frequently offered with screen-use frames and discussed alongside lens suppliers at eyewear trade events.

11

ANSI Z80.3

The US voluntary standard for non-prescription sunglasses, covering transmittance categories, optical quality and impact resistance; relevant when a label sells sun frames into the US market.

12

Frame front and temple

The front holds the lenses and bridge; the temples are the arms that run to the ear. Buyers compare front depth and temple length to judge fit for their local customer base.