Hajra Naz
Mark Zuckerberg showing up at Prada’s Fall/Winter 2026 show in Milan wasn’t exactly subtle. He and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were seated in the front row, and Zuckerberg was spotted chatting with Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s chief merchandising officer and the son of designer Miuccia Prada.
That’s sparked a pretty obvious question: Is Meta about to launch Prada-branded AI glasses?
Zuckerberg has been refining his public image in recent years—better tailoring, more polished appearances—but it’s unlikely he flew to Milan just for the runway looks. Industry watchers suspect something bigger could be brewing.
Rumors of Prada AI Glasses Aren’t New
CNBC reported last summer that Prada AI glasses were potentially in development, though Meta hasn’t confirmed anything publicly. The company hasn’t commented on Zuckerberg’s appearance in Milan either.
Meta makes its smart glasses with EssilorLuxottica. The eyewear giant also owns Ray-Ban. The partnership started with Ray-Ban Stories. It has grown since then. Earlier this month, the company said it sold more than 7 million AI glasses in 2025. That’s up from 2 million the year before. That figure includes both Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta models — the latter aimed more at athletic users.
Why Prada Makes Strategic Sense
Prada already has a long-standing licensing relationship with EssilorLuxottica for its eyewear, and the two companies recently renewed their agreement for another decade. That makes a Prada-Meta collaboration feel less like a stretch and more like a logical next step.
A Prada edition could help Meta move its AI glasses into the luxury fashion space—something Ray-Ban and Oakley don’t fully capture. Turning the product into a high-fashion accessory could elevate the perception of Meta’s hardware overall.
But There’s a Catch
Not everyone is thrilled about wearable tech that records and processes the world around it. There’s been growing consumer unease about surveillance devices, with some people ripping out Ring doorbells or protesting license-plate cameras.
That tension could slow Meta’s plans. Reports say the company has considered adding facial recognition to the glasses. The idea has already sparked criticism. One developer even built an app that alerts you if someone nearby is wearing AI glasses.
If Prada-branded Meta glasses do materialize, they won’t just be another gadget launch. They’d represent a serious push to blend AI, fashion, and consumer tech—in a moment when the public is still deciding how comfortable it is with smart devices watching from eye level.
