Is Meta gearing up to launch a Prada edition of its AI smart glasses? Speculation is swirling after Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were photographed in the front row at Prada's Fall/Winter 2026 Fashion Week show in Milan. The Meta CEO was seen conversing with his neighbor, Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada's chief merchandising officer and the son of lead designer Miuccia Prada.
While Zuckerberg has focused on refining his public persona in recent years, including a wardrobe upgrade, his attendance likely had less to do with fashion and more with a potential upcoming partnership with the iconic brand.
CNBC reported last summer that Prada-branded AI glasses were in development. Meta, however, has not made any official announcement regarding such a collaboration. (The company has not responded to requests for comment about Zuckerberg's presence at the show.)
Surprise guests at Prada pic.twitter.com/BPHqLo9oaW
— Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) February 26, 2026
EssilorLuxottica, the French-Italian eyewear giant behind Ray-Ban, has been Meta's partner on these tech-enabled glasses since their initial launch under the Ray-Ban Stories name. The company recently announced it sold over 7 million AI glasses in 2025, a significant jump from 2 million the previous year. These sales encompass both the Ray-Ban Meta and the more athletically-oriented Oakley Meta models.
A Prada AI glasses collaboration appears to be the logical next step. Prada and EssilorLuxottica recently renewed their licensing agreement for Prada and Miu Miu branded eyewear for the next decade. (The original deal, set to expire at the end of 2025, was extended through 2030 with an option for renewal until 2035.)
Prada AI glasses would allow Meta to enter the high-fashion segment, a space its current Ray-Ban and Oakley models don't occupy. Positioning the glasses as a luxury accessory could also enhance Meta's overall brand perception.
However, the launch comes amid growing consumer skepticism towards perceived surveillance devices, evidenced by recent backlash against products like Ring doorbells and Flock cameras. This trend may influence Meta's decision-making, particularly regarding rumored plans to add facial-recognition features to its glasses, as reported by The New York Times. The report sparked criticism for a product that had seen modest success and even inspired a developer to create an app that alerts users when someone wearing AI glasses is nearby.
Techcrunch event
Save Up to $300 or 30% on TechCrunch Founder Summit Tickets
Join 1,000+ founders and investors at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day dedicated to growth, execution, and practical scaling strategies. Gain insights from industry-shaping founders and investors. Network with peers facing similar growth challenges. Leave with actionable tactics you can implement right away.
Offer ends March 13.
Save Up to $300 or 30% on TechCrunch Founder Summit Tickets
Join 1,000+ founders and investors at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day dedicated to growth, execution, and practical scaling strategies. Gain insights from industry-shaping founders and investors. Network with peers facing similar growth challenges. Leave with actionable tactics you can implement right away.
Frontier AI Labs Refuse to Disclose Containment Strategies for Rogue ModelsRecent research indicates that very few leading AI laboratories have published or demonstrated containment response plans. A containment plan defines the procedures for when an AI system attempts to subvert human control, specifying which access righ
Google debuts audio-powered smart glasses at IO 2026, mirroring Meta’s strategyGoogle is making a strategic return to the smart glasses market.During Tuesday’s Google I/O event, the tech giant unveiled a collaboration with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to launch a new series of AI-enabled eyewear. Designed in partnership with
Does Mark Zuckerberg Really Believe AI Is for Everyone?Loading the player…Meta introduced Glimmer this week, an open-weight AI model that anyone can download and run on personal hardware—a sharp contrast to Muse Spark, the company’s more powerful model, which remains locked behind its own APIs. The relea
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Stem Separation Tools Curated for Remix Production, Sampling Prep, and Karaoke Masters. These powerful game-changing tools offer real-world tests to deliver precise audio isolation, boosting productivity significantly. XIX.AI provides a weekly updated free vs paid comparison guide to help you find the must-try solution that suits your needs. Explore now to unlock your AI edge.
2026 Latest Best AI SQL Copilots Ranked Top-Rated! XIX.AI curates a powerful game-changing collection for weekly updated real-world tests. These must-try tools help you generate accurate revenue dashboards, analyze sales funnels, and track product metrics swiftly, boosting productivity massively. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for data-driven decision making! 238 characters
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Melody Writing Tools for Song Drafts! XIX.AI has curated a highly powerful game-changing collection that goes through rigorous real-world tests to deliver the best writing experience. You can find detailed free vs paid comparisons, accurate rankings, and must-try options designed to help you create stunning song drafts effortlessly and boost your creative productivity significantly. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Conversation Trainer Tools for Interview Practice are here on XIX.AI! This curated collection features powerful, game-changing tools that go through rigorous real-world tests to deliver accurate feedback. You’ll find a free vs paid comparison and detailed rankings to help you choose the must-try option that boosts your confidence and skills. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for interview success!
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Style Transfer Tools for Creative Experiments! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection of must-try tools that deliver exceptional results through real-world tests and rigorous rankings. These top solutions help creatives boost productivity significantly by accelerating content creation and unlocking endless creative possibilities. Explore now to discover your perfect tool and start creating today!
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Dialogue Bubble Tools for Visual Storytelling are here on XIX.AI! This curated collection features powerful, game-changing tools that help creators boost productivity and overcome creative bottlenecks. Get a free vs paid comparison, see real-world tests, and check the latest rankings to find the must-try solutions perfect for crafting engaging visual narratives. Explore now to discover your ideal tool!
By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Privacy Policy Notice
When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings.However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Privacy PolicyStatement
Manage Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookie
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.