SKYNEA debuted three custom AR eyewear designs at The Blonds’ 20th anniversary New York Fashion Week show, bringing wearable technology to the runway.
Subtlety has never been part of The Blonds’ runway vocabulary. At their 20th anniversary retrospective during New York Fashion Week, David and Phillipe Blond celebrated two decades of glamour with a blaze of Swarovski crystals, sculptural silhouettes, supermodels, New York nightlife icons, influencers and, of course, their muse, Paris Hilton. Amid the spectacle, SKYNEA entered the frame, making its global debut with three custom augmented reality eyewear designs created for the show.
Created exclusively for the catwalk, three SKYNEA eyewear designs were paired with looks by The Blonds, taking their place among the runway’s statement accessories. Each frame was part of the fashion story, while offering a glimpse of SKYNEA’s larger ambition: to bring advanced AR technology into the world of luxury fashion and lifestyle, with eyewear designed to be coveted as much as it is used. A fine watch is the other classic statement accessory — see our guide to the 10 best luxury watches of 2026.
The anniversary cast was equally suited to the occasion. Paris Hilton, Aquaria, Gigi Gorgeous, Dominique Jackson, Emira D’Spain, Susanne Bartsch, Brooklyn Van Zandt, Aqua and Lion Babe were among the personalities who came together to celebrate The Blonds’ distinctive vision of glamour and self-expression. SKYNEA’s first public appearance took place in a fashion world that welcomes the bold and the unexpected.
At just 48 grams, SKYNEA’s frames are designed to wear with the ease of a favorite accessory, even as Qualcomm Snapdragon processing and a MicroLED display place information within the wearer’s line of sight. Real-time translations appear discreetly along the bottom of the lenses as a conversation unfolds, while a Sony IMX681 camera captures photos and video. Dual microphones and two high-fidelity speakers support hands-free calls and audio, with voice and touch controls offering intuitive ways to interact. Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, compatibility with Android, iOS and HarmonyOS, and approximately six hours of active use bring that technology into the rhythm of everyday wear.
The brand’s plans extend beyond eyewear. SKYNEA is preparing connected smart rings, brooches and bracelets that will communicate with the glasses and control specific functions. It is an intriguing proposition for fashion: a piece of jewelry chosen for how it completes a look could also change how its wearer interacts with the technology they carry.
That relationship between appearance and function made The Blonds’ runway a fitting introduction. The three custom frames belonged to the visual story of the show, alongside its crystal embellishment and theatrical silhouettes, while hinting at a broader collection intended to move beyond the catwalk. SKYNEA plans to launch on Kickstarter soon, with further details on its AR eyewear, connected accessories and availability still to come.
SKYNEA | Classic Soul, Future Vision.
Related: read our interview with Cameron Silver, an international man of style, on fashion, collecting, and red-carpet dressing.