An extremely light titanium wire that gives eyewear a unique design. This is the innovation proposed by Micromega, which has turned from an eyewear retailer into a very fine manufacturer. In just a few years, this boutique has managed to develop an international clientele, and there are many celebrities, such as Elton John, Madonna, Yoko Ono, Emma Thompson, and the archi-star Norman Foster, who declare with some pride that they wear their Micromega glasses.
The store is located on Calle delle Ostreghe just five minutes from St. Mark's Square. Founded in 2000 by Roberto Carlon, this artisanal business has moved away from the world of traditional eyewear by focusing on products of refined design, extremely light and at the same time very durable.
Now along with him are his children Anna and Giulio, who have very clear ideas for the future: to further strengthen the link with the city and develop the Micromega brand. "The production of Micromega has always been done in our workshop in Venice, two bridges away from our store," Anna Carlon says.
Micromega wants to enhance its uniqueness. Each pair of glasses is made using a unique thread of titanium that gives great lightness and at the same time offers leaves the designer's creativity wide latitude.
"In the past we tried to open a store in Barcelona urged by one of our loyal customers. Today we are happy that Micromega is in only one place in the world and that you have to go back to Venice to get them," Anna Carlon tells us.
Over the years, the fashion world has also chosen Micromega as a partner in special projects: fashion designer Rick Owens commissioned him to design a special, very wraparound pair of glasses made to cover the face, with ZEISS monofocal lenses, five pieces of titanium, black plexiglass temples.
For Upskill Venezia, ITS FITSTIC students went on a company visit to Micromega accompanied by Michele Tagliavini and were able to visit the workshop, talk with Anna Carlon, and then also with her brother Giulio and Roberto Carlon himself, and try on the many eyewear on display in the boutique.
"We expect that these young talents can bring a new perspective to our company and open the door to a different future. We hope they can enlighten us with something we never thought of. We are very curious!
The project challenge they are working on is to help the company gain visibility across the country and abroad through the design of online and in-person experiential formats, with the goal of communicating the craftsmanship and high quality of its products. The visit to the workshop and the interviews conducted with Roberto, Anna and Giulio allowed FITSTIC students to focus on the real needs of this small but incredible reality, and to imagine what connections can be established between technology and craftsmanship. The main goal of the project is to make sure that the features of Micromega's products are easily perceived even to those who are not in Venice.
"The thing that struck me most about the visit was the passion they manage to convey in their products, how much knowledge and technique there is in the making of each individual pair of glasses. I was totally unaware of the many types of eyeglass frames that exist. And I must say that they are very comfortable and wearable glasses!" ITS FITSTIC student Luca Gasparotto told us.
"I wear glasses, and I must admit that trying on glasses that weigh less than an ounce was an experience that surprised me. I tried the goggles made for Rick Owen, they are very light and comfortable. They are really unique glasses!" added Leonardo Molino, ITS FITSTIC student.
