Gentle Monster news and archive

Google unveils smart glasses, taking on Meta

Google on Tuesday unveiled the design of new smart glasses, returning to a market the tech giant tried -- and failed -- to crack more than a decade ago. The glasses, expected to go on sale later this year, will challenge Meta which has built a commanding lead with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have sold at least seven million units. The...

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Fashion

Gentle Monster accuses eyewear brand of copying, takes legal action

South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster and its parent company IiCombined Co., Ltd. is pursuing legal action against a fellow Korean label for allegedly copying its designs. The brand in question was cited in a press release from IiCombined as ‘Company B’, however, Korean media has since reported the identity to be Blue Elephant, another South...

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Retail

Hyper-local, hyper-physical, hyper-engaging: Retail’s next chapter

If 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that retail has shed its old skin. The store is no longer just a place to buy something, it’s a canvas, a stage, a laboratory, and a playground all at once. The smartest spaces this year were treated like ecosystems, where every touchpoint became part of a narrative designed to capture attention, emotion, and...

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Business|ANALYSIS

Luxury margins, mass-market volumes: Why eyewear is the new retail

No longer a medical niche, eyewear is establishing itself as a fully-fledged pillar of retail. The sector is at a tipping point, with margins that rival luxury, volumes comparable to the mass market and a growing appeal for tech giants. The global eyewear market is valued at approximately 200.5 billion dollars in 2024. It is projected to reach...

Retail

Gentle Monster opens one of Paris's most instagrammable stores

South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster is taking a major step in its expansion with the opening of its first European flagship in Paris. The trendy and touristy Marais district has been chosen to host this first French location, which opens on today. Conceptual space and robotic installations Gentle Monster is known for its innovative retail...

Fashion

Google buys stake in Gentle Monster as it eyes entry into fashionable wearables

Anyone thinking wearable technology was a trend gone by, Google just acquired a 4 percent stake in South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster, marking its most fashion-conscious foray yet into the smart glasses race. The deal, valued at approximately 107.3 million euros, positions the tech giant alongside Meta in vying for dominance in the...

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Fashion |Opinion

Is there still music in fashion?

Fashion and music have been inextricably linked for centuries. A duet with many mutual benefits. While a music festival is graced with beautifully sparkling outfits, those same outfits are in the spotlight of musical beats. These days, however, you hear less and less music in fashion stores. Such a development is a shame, because music is a...

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Fashion

Summer hits: Five sunglasses collections for warmer weather

Summer is finally here and the corona easing also brings some hope for a vacation with beach, sea and sun. But what would the warm season be without the right equipment that is not only useful but also looks good? FashionUnited presents five sunglasses collections that make the look a summer hit. Daily Paper and Komono The second collaboration...