The optics industry in Italy is best represented by its eyewear sector, which has long been seen and recognized as a global leader. Craftsmanship, innovation, and luxury appeal are only some of the reasons the country is known for. From iconic brands to small artisan workshops, Italian eyewear remains synonymous with quality and style. The Italian fashion industry generates approximately one billion euros in turnover annually from eyewear alone. However, the pandemic-induced crisis led to a sharp decline in revenue, with the total production value dropping to 3.089 billion euros in 2020, which is a 22.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Exports, a major component of Italy’s eyewear trade, also saw a significant downturn. In 2019, Italy exported nearly 3.9 billion euros worth of eyewear products, but this number fell to 2.8 billion euros in 2020. The past five years have seen a steady return to the status quo, but recovery has been gradual. Italy’s eyewear exports are primarily directed toward Europe and the United States. The U.S. alone accounts for 28% of total export value, making it the largest international market for Italian eyewear. Other key markets include France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. However, certain regions, including Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and Spain, have experienced slower growth in imports of Italian eyewear, posing challenges for expansion in these areas. So what has made this sector of Italy’s optics industry so successful? It all has to do with history. One of the most influential players in the industry is Luxottica, which started as a small eyewear business in Northern Italy in the 1960s. Today, Luxottica has merged with French company Essilor to form EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eyewear corporation. In 2019, EssilorLuxottica reported a staggering 17 billion euros in revenue, with Luxottica’s segment remaining the primary driver of growth.