Just 2 days after the Coperni surprise drop with Tamagotchi, Meta and Ray-Ban have teamed up with the avant-garde French fashion label Coperni to unveil a new iteration of their popular smartglasses. Revealed on March 9, 2025, at Coperni’s Paris Fashion Week show, this collaboration marks Meta’s first-ever fashion-branded partnership for its Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses line, blending cutting-edge innovation with high-style aesthetics.
A Fashion-Forward Take on Wearable Tech
Coperni, knowns for its tech-infused runway designs, reimagines the iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarer with a futuristic twist. The limited-edition Ray-Ban Meta x Coperni smartglasses feature grey mirrored lenses and a semi-transparent black frame, exposing the internal hardware in a nod to ‘90s nostalgia—think Apple’s translucent iMacs. Priced at $549, these glasses are a premium step up from the standard Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers, which retail for around $330. Only 3,600 pairs will be available for purchase starting March 10, 2025, making them a coveted collector’s item for tech enthusiasts and fashionistas alike.
“We didn’t want to do something crazy,” said Arnaud Vaillant, Coperni’s chief executive, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to wearability despite its reputation for theatrical presentations. Creative director Sébastien Meyer echoed this sentiment, describing the design as “a bit nostalgic” while aligning with Coperni’s ethos of merging practicality with bold innovation.
The Evolution of Ray-Ban Meta Smartglasses
The collaboration builds on the surprising success of the Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses, which have gained traction since their second-generation launch in September 2023. Unlike earlier attempts at smartglasses—like the initial Ray-Ban Stories, which Vaillant once dismissed as not yet “great”—this version has struck a chord with consumers. Retaining Ray-Ban’s timeless style, the glasses integrate advanced features such as a 12-megapixel camera, open-ear speakers, and the ability to take calls, listen to music, and livestream directly to Instagram and Facebook.
Meta has also infused the glasses with AI capabilities, allowing users to ask questions about their surroundings through the lenses. This functionality, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 processor, has elevated the device beyond a mere gadget into a practical companion for everyday life. According to Francesco Milleri, CEO of EssilorLuxottica (Ray-Ban’s parent company), the smartglasses have already sold 2 million pairs, with production capacity set to scale to 10 million units annually by the end of 2026.
A Collaboration Years in the Making
The partnership between Meta, Ray-Ban, and Coperni didn’t happen overnight. Eva Chen, Meta’s vice president of fashion, revealed that the company had been in talks with Coperni for years, even pitching a collaboration for the first-generation Ray-Ban Stories. While that earlier proposal didn’t materialize, the stars aligned with the newer, more refined Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Vaillant, a lifelong Wayfarer wearer, saw this as the perfect moment to bring Coperni’s vision to the project.
For Meta and EssilorLuxottica, this is just the beginning. Andrea Basilico, a representative from the partnership, hinted at future expansions, including new styles and potential smartglasses from other EssilorLuxottica brands like Oakley. The goal? To cement smartglasses as a mainstream accessory, bridging the gap between utility and desirability.
Why This Matters
By tapping into Coperni’s fashion-forward audience, Meta is betting that smartglasses can transcend their geeky reputation and become as ubiquitous as smartphones. The limited-run nature of this release, combined with its runway debut, positions the glasses as both a tech marvel and a status symbol.
What’s Next?
As Meta continues to roll out AI enhancements—like real-time visual recognition and translation—and explores holographic displays with projects like the Orion smartglasses, the future of wearable tech looks brighter than ever. For now, though, all eyes are on Paris, where Coperni’s latest creation is poised to redefine what it means to see the world through a stylish, smart lens.
With only a few thousand pairs up for grabs, the Ray-Ban Meta x Coperni smartglasses are a fleeting opportunity to own a piece of this fashion-tech revolution. Mark your calendars—and your wallets—for March 10, 2025.
