When Amelia Gray strutted down the runway in early March 2025, the buzz wasn’t just about the silhouette – it was the tech tucked inside a sleek, transparent‑black frame. The model was front‑and‑center for Coperni’s first‑ever partnership with Ray‑Ban Meta, unveiling a limited‑edition Wayfarer that blends high fashion with AI‑powered eyewear. The launch took place during Paris Fashion Week, turning the usual catwalk drama into a tech‑savvy showcase.
Why This Collaboration Matters
Here’s the thing: Ray‑Ban Meta, born from a 2023 joint venture between EssilorLuxottica and Meta, has been courting the gadget crowd for two years. Until now, its smart glasses lived in the realm of early adopters and niche influencers. Coperni, a Paris‑based label known for digital‑meets‑physical experiments – remember Bella Hadid’s viral spray‑on dress? – decided to bring that tech spirit onto a mainstream luxury runway. The twist is the collaboration is limited to exactly 3,600 pairs, priced at $549.00 each, sold only through the Meta website and Ray‑Ban’s official online store.
Design Details That Turn Heads
The Wayfarer keeps the classic silhouette that made the original iconic, but adds a modern, transparent black frame and grey‑mirrored lenses. On the arms, Coperni’s logo is engraved in a subtle, brushed finish – a nod to the brand’s minimalist aesthetic. Inside, the glasses retain every feature of the Ray‑Ban Meta platform: a discreet camera, open‑ear speakers, a built‑in microphone, and voice‑assistant integration that works within Meta’s ecosystem. In short, they’re a full‑blown piece of smart eyewear that still looks like a high‑fashion accessory.
The Runway Moment
During the LAN‑party‑themed runway, Gray paired the glasses with a deconstructed jacket, sheer transparent tights, and pointed‑toe pumps – a look that screamed futuristic yet wear‑able. Fellow models Rejoice Chuol, Issa Lish and Hanna Leszek demonstrated versatility, swapping the frames between tailored trousers, mini dresses, and even a sculptural oversized coat. The audience could hear the tiny speakers as the models walked, turning the catwalk into a low‑key concert of audible tech.
Quotes From the Creators
In an exclusive chat with Hypebae, Coperni’s head designers said, “We’re very, very proud of it. When we do a collaboration, we want to do something that we believe in and create a product that we love. Personally, we wear it every day. We think it’s perfection and the quality is amazing.” Their enthusiasm isn’t just hype – the brand has a track record of weaving tech into couture, from CD‑player‑powered bags to the recent Swipe‑bag‑that‑turns‑into‑a‑Tamagotchi case.
Market Context and Future Outlook
The global smart‑eyewear market, valued at roughly $3.6 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.3% through 2030, according to analysts at IDC. By limiting the coproduced Wayfarer to 3,600 units, Coperni and Ray‑Ban Meta are signaling a high‑end, scarcity‑driven strategy that mirrors the luxury sneaker drops of the past. The collaboration also marks Ray‑Ban Meta’s first foray into the luxury fashion sector, a move that could open doors to future partnerships with houses like Balenciaga or Dior.
Public Relations and Distribution
The campaign is being shepherded by Lucien Pages Communication, a Paris‑based agency that specializes in luxury fashion narratives. Their rollout includes glossy editorial spreads, a series of short videos highlighting the glasses’ hands‑free capabilities, and a limited‑time pop‑up experience in the Marais district where visitors can try the Wayfarer on a virtual mirror that overlays AI‑generated outfits.
Key Facts At A Glance
- Launch: March 2025 at Paris Fashion Week, Paris, France
- Limited run: 3,600 pairs
- Retail price: $549.00 (available via Meta.com and Ray‑Ban.com)
- Features: built‑in camera, open‑ear speakers, microphone, voice‑assistant, Meta AI integration
- Market impact: First fashion house partnership for Ray‑Ban Meta, positioning both brands at the intersection of luxury and technology
What's Next for Smart Fashion?
Analysts predict that the success of the Coperni x Ray‑Ban Meta Wayfarer could spur a wave of collaborations, especially as Gen Z consumers demand products that blur the line between digital utility and aesthetic appeal. Meta has hinted at expanding AI functionalities to include real‑time language translation and AR overlay for live events – features that could become standard in future fashion‑tech releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Coperni x Ray‑Ban Meta Wayfarers are being made?
Exactly 3,600 pairs were produced, a figure disclosed by both Coperni and Ray‑Ban during the March 2025 launch. The limited run is intended to preserve exclusivity and drive collector interest.
Where can consumers purchase the limited‑edition glasses?
The Wayfarers are sold exclusively through the official Meta website (meta.com) and Ray‑Ban’s online store. No brick‑and‑mortar retailers carry them, at least for the initial release.
What tech features do the glasses include?
They retain the full Ray‑Ban Meta platform: a hidden camera for hands‑free photo and video capture, open‑ear speakers for audio playback, a built‑in microphone for calls and voice commands, and integration with Meta’s AI services for real‑time assistance. Future software updates are planned.
Why is this partnership significant for the luxury fashion market?
It marks the first time Ray‑Ban Meta has teamed with a high‑end fashion house, signaling that luxury brands see value in embedding AI tech into their products. The move could set a precedent, encouraging other designers to explore similar tech‑fashion hybrids.
What does this launch mean for Coperni’s brand identity?
Coperni has long positioned itself at the crossroads of digital culture and couture. By delivering a functional piece of smart eyewear, the brand deepens its narrative of ‘transparency meets reflection,’ reinforcing its reputation as an avant‑garde label that embraces emerging technology.
