Italian hatmaker Borsalino is diversifying by introducing a capsule collection of glasses. It is Borsalino’s first foray in the eyewear segment since it was bought in 2018 by Haeres Equita, the investment fund led by Philippe Camperio. Borsalino had developed a line of glasses in the 2000s, and this time it has partnered with emerging brand Ophy Eyewear, creating an exclusive collaboration.

“The collaboration with Ophy marks a new milestone in our brand’s growth,” said Mauro Baglietto, CEO of Borsalino, in a press release. He added that this is a “new chapter in Borsalino’s quest for creative synergies, as it continues to promote a dialogue between tradition and innovation.”

Ophy is an emerging Italian eyewear brand founded in 2018 by Sicilian designer Placido Minissale, an architecture enthusiast who designs his collections with a contemporary approach, deconstructing the forms of classic eyewear.

Borsalino and Ophy have developed a capsule collection of four models called ‘Jean’, ‘Alain’, ‘Ingrid’ and ‘Marcello’, previewed at the Mido eyewear trade show held in Milan on February 8-10. In the press release, Borsalino described them as “glasses that strike a perfect balance between contemporary design and timeless style” with their “essential geometric lines and distinctive details.”

The cellulose acetate frames are available in black and in dark or light brown tortoiseshell, and are all decorated with the golden Borsalino logo. The line will be commercialised at a retail price of €330 from end of March and April via Borsalino retailers and duty-free stores and the brand’s e-shop, as well as selected eyewear specialists worldwide.

In the last few years, Borsalino has dropped a number of collaborations, notably with long-established brands. Recently, it partnered with iconic Neapolitan tie brand E. Marinella, and with century-old Italian jewellery brand Damiani. In 2023, Borsalino created capsule collections with Saint Laurent, Elie Saab and Chloé.