Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg goes on the charm offensive and meets with Milan fashion professionals to discuss the next generation of smart wearables in virtual reality.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram, is investing heavily in the future of wearables (clothes worn by avatars in virtual worlds or video games). Over the past year, Meta has teamed up with Ray-Ban to launch a range of smart glasses equipped with camera and audio functionality, combining Meta’s latest technologies with the iconic style of Ray-Ban eyewear.
Meta-Porter Zuckerberg met with Yoox founder Federico Marchetti in Milan on Friday. Marchetti commented on the meeting on Instagram by saying “Meta-Porter in Milan” – referring to the online fashion retailer Net-a-Porter, where he was previously CEO. The accompanying photo features numerous CEOs, founders and industry leaders from various fashion companies, including Prada’s Lorenzo Bertelli, Diesel and OTB founder Renzo Rosso, Geoffrey Lefebvre, current CEO at Net-a-Porter, as well as Ferragamo’s Marco Gobbetti and Brunello Cucinelli .
Zuckerberg also met with Leonardo Del Vecchio, president of eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. He posted a picture of himself and Del Vecchio on Instagram with the caption: “It’s great to be back in Milan to discuss plans for the new smart glasses with Leonardo Del Vecchio and the EssilorLuxottica team. Here Leonardo is using a prototype of our EMG bracelet with a neural interface that can later be used to control the glasses and other devices.”
Zuckerberg did not reveal details about why he met with the Italian fashion experts, but it is known that Meta’s foray into the Metaverse, Web3 and the launch of virtual products is one of the top priorities for the company’s future and earnings strategy.
Meta explained last year that the Metaverse is not being built by a single company and the Italian fashion house is already using “new technologies like augmented and virtual reality” to sell their products. “We are excited to continue working with Italian partners to bring the vision of the Metaverse to life.”
This translated and edited post previously appeared on FashionUnited.uk.