Luca Lavezzari Founder of EPOS
EPOS, the Milanese eyewear brand led by Luca Lavezzari, blends timeless Italian craftsmanship with contemporary design. Its collections range from the classic refinement of “Classics” to the modern sophistication of “Luxor,” staying true to the brand’s heritage while meeting the style and quality expectations of today’s discerning eyewear enthusiasts. Shortly after CircumEye 2025, in an interview with Eye Magazine, Lavezzari highlights the strategic importance of Greece and outlines EPOS’ ambitious global vision—aiming to triple its international presence by 2026.
EPOS is a brand deeply intertwined with a multi-generational family history. What sparked its “birth,” and how do you feel the principles of that early era are reflected today, both in values and in design?
EPOS is an Italian brand born from passion and my family’s values. It is located in Milan, the cradle of Italy’s manufacturing tradition. Today, we still operate with the same motivation we had at the beginning—marked by great integrity and enthusiasm, always emphasizing the original spirit.
It truly pleases me that people recognize EPOS’s characteristics and give us the strength to achieve more. Being recognized as a genuine eyewear brand is, in my opinion, one of the greatest compliments.
The uniqueness of handmade craftsmanship and the vintage elegance of Milan are two pillars on which EPOS is built. How do you balance timeless Italian artistry with the modern demands of brand growth?
EPOS is well known and appreciated in Italy and abroad for offering products that blend artisanal and stylistic tradition with constant attention to emerging trends in the industry. We like to think of our approach as that of a gourmet chef inspired by traditional cuisine—honoring culinary heritage while enriching it with a contemporary touch that results in refined creations.
Our collection is the pillar of timeless vintage eyewear classics, enhanced to satisfy today’s consumer needs without ever slipping into something old or outdated. Opticians can always rely on EPOS frames to fulfill any customer’s style—whether they prefer a timeless look or a more trend-driven one.
Last year, EPOS acquired T-look. What strategic objectives led to this decision, and how do the two brands complement or differentiate from each other going forward?
T-look is an authentic Italian brand that has existed since the late 1990s. During the pandemic, we acquired the Milanese brand to bring a stronger touch of color to our portfolio. In some European markets, colorful and playful designs are particularly popular. T-look’s market positioning is completely different from that of EPOS.
“I Classici”, “Icon”, “Luxor”… What are the individual EPOS collections available in the Greek market, and what makes each product family unique?
EPOS product families always reflect our core principles: tradition, classic style, quality, and a sense of longevity and timelessness.
• “Iconic” includes our most popular and best-selling pieces, forming our capsule collection every year.
• “Classics”, as the name suggests, are timeless models; our core collection provides opticians with reliable solutions for particularly demanding customers. As we like to say, it is better to rely on something certain than to get lost in overly complex design.
• “Luxor” represents our most elegant line, featuring special details and bold design.
In total, we offer a rich and diverse variety of choices— around 700 SKUs. We are confident that EPOS Milano is among the top timeless eyewear brands and the only Italian-origin eyewear brand offering a full range of competitive quality.
Your catalogue includes clip-ons, magnetic systems, and metal/acetate combinations. What drives product development and R&D at EPOS?
EPOS is a universal eyewear brand representing genuine Italian handmade vintage style. Milan is our hometown, and this alone reflects our strong connection to quality and the fashion world. We draw inspiration from the past, yet we also feel compelled to innovate—constantly exploring new production techniques and manufacturing methods alongside vintage design.
Who is the core EPOS customer today—the Milanese cultural elite referenced in the brand’s story, or a broader international audience? How do you adapt EPOS’s marketing to different markets?
Our collections draw inspiration from vintage culture and the cornerstones of tradition. Over time, these principles have been adapted to suit the needs of different markets, allowing our eyewear line to become truly “universal.” Today, we have the privilege of being established in Milan, Tokyo, Athens, and New York. I often say that our ability to reinterpret vintage properly while adding the aesthetic and stylistic codes of Milanese allure is the key to our success.
We constantly bring a breath of freshness to every new collection, exploring the boundaries between tradition and contemporary design. For example, models like Castore or Polluce can be worn by a New York entrepreneur in a suit just as easily as by a French paddleplayerwitharefinedeyeforstyle.AsImentioned earlier, we consider our eyewear a true passe-partout.
EPOS maintains a presence at major international events such as CircumEye. How important are trade shows and B2B relationships for EPOS’s distribution strategy in the post-pandemic era?
We are certain that in today’s digital era, human and direct professional relationships developed at trade fairs must be re-evaluated and appreciated more. We value in-person meetings with our optician-clients to develop human collaborations—not just pure business. As an Italian, I always prefer the traditional approach, with a touch of poetry and good manners! You will always find us at key industry events such as Mido, Silmo, and CircumEye to connect and get to know each other better.
Looking ahead, what key trends will most influence the premium eyewear industry in the next 5–10 years, and how is EPOS preparing for them?
EPOS is strongly positioned for the future thanks to its organization and resources—advantages that few eyewear brands possess. Our history and brand awareness are our treasures in the market. Our direct access to Italian design and quality manufacturing gives us a strong advantage in staying at the forefront of industry developments. Our design team has access to the newest materials and production innovations, ensuring a bright future for EPOS Milano.
What is your perception of the Greek eyewear market? What sets it apart from others, and what do you foresee for its future?
Within the EPOS family, we seek long-term business relationships with distributors and opticians. Our Greek distributor, Mr. Jannis Gionis, CEO of Spektra Eyewear, is one of our longest-standing collaborations. We share the same vision and dream for EPOS to be highly appreciated by Greek opticians and consumers. Thanks to this strong partnership, we have built an excellent client base with well-known opticians across Greece. Greece may be considered a “small” market within Europe, but it is extremely interesting and strategically important. In my experience, opticians and consumers in Greece are very demanding when it comes to eyewear quality and style—more so than in most other countries. This challenge inspires me to constantly improve and meet new standards.
Greek optical stores are among the best-looking in Europe. Walking through the streets, you immediately sense the professionalism and passion Greek opticians have for their shops. If a brand aspires to be considered on-trend, it cannot overlook the Greek market—it is an excellent showcase for the eyewear business.
What are EPOS’s plans and goals for the coming years?
Our goal for 2026 is to triple our presence worldwide and share our philosophy with an ever-growing number of markets. Today, we are primarily strong in Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Portugal, and France. In 2026, we will enter the Canadian and South African markets, and as mentioned earlier, we still seek strong partners in Asia. It is a long journey ahead—but we like to consider ourselves “young vintage,” full of energy and enthusiasm.
