Key Highlights:

• Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance at Prada’s Milan show has sparked talk of Prada Meta AI glasses.
• Meta already sells Ray-Ban and Oakley AI glasses with EssilorLuxottica.
• CNBC previously reported Prada-branded AI glasses were under discussion.
• A Prada partnership could push Meta’s wearables into luxury fashion.

Meta may be preparing to launch Prada Meta AI glasses. That is the speculation after Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan were seen in the front row at Prada’s Fall/Winter 2026 show in Milan. Zuckerberg was seated beside Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s chief merchandising officer and the son of Miuccia Prada.

The timing matters. Meta is expanding its AI glasses portfolio. Prada already works closely with Meta’s eyewear partner. And reports last year said Prada-branded smart glasses were being explored.

Together, those signals have turned Prada Meta AI glasses into a trending search term.

Why was Zuckerberg at Prada’s Milan show?

Zuckerberg has appeared at high-profile cultural events before. Still, his Milan visit stands out. He was not just attending. He was seated with Prada leadership during one of the brand’s most important runway shows.

Meta has not commented on the visit. Prada has not announced a partnership. Yet the optics are hard to ignore. Last summer, CNBC reported that Meta and its eyewear partner were planning AI glasses under multiple brands, including Prada. At the time, the report said discussions were ongoing and unannounced.

The Milan appearance now adds real-world context to that report.

How Meta built its AI glasses business

Meta’s smart glasses journey runs through EssilorLuxottica, the French-Italian eyewear giant behind Ray-Ban and Oakley.

The two companies first partnered in 2019. They launched Ray-Ban Stories in 2021. Early reception was muted. Momentum came later.

In 2023, Meta released second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses. These added the Meta AI assistant and tighter smartphone integration. Users could identify landmarks, ask for recipes, record short videos, and send voice messages.

The product found a clearer audience.

EssilorLuxottica says it sold more than 7 million AI glasses in 2025. That figure includes Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta glasses. Sales rose sharply from about 2 million units the year before.

Where Oakley fits into Meta’s strategy

Oakley represents Meta’s push into performance and sports.

Earlier this month, Meta teased the Oakley release with a new Instagram account. The first Oakley Meta glasses are expected to target athletes and active users. Reports suggest they will be more weather resistant and slightly more expensive than Ray-Bans.

According to people familiar with the plans, the Oakley version could cost around $360. The hardware is expected to mirror the Ray-Ban Meta glasses released in 2023.

This move shows Meta is segmenting its wearable strategy by lifestyle. Prada would represent another segment entirely.

Why Prada Meta AI glasses make strategic sense

Prada sits firmly in the luxury category. That is a space Meta has not entered with Ray-Ban or Oakley.

A Prada-branded device could position AI glasses as a fashion statement rather than a gadget. That shift could change how consumers perceive always-on wearable technology.

There is also a practical angle. Former Meta employees have said Prada’s eyewear designs often feature thicker temples. That design choice offers more space for microphones, chips, and batteries.

From a manufacturing standpoint, the fit is natural.

What the licensing deals reveal

Prada and EssilorLuxottica renewed their global eyewear licensing agreement in December. The deal covers Prada, Prada Linea Rossa, and Miu Miu eyewear.

The agreement runs through 2030, with an option to extend to 2035.

This matters because EssilorLuxottica already holds an extended and exclusive smart glasses partnership with Meta. A 2024 report said that deal was worth about $5 billion and gave Meta exclusive access to Luxottica brands for smart glasses technology.

That structure makes Prada Meta AI glasses easier to execute without new manufacturing partners.

Privacy concerns remain a major risk

AI glasses continue to raise privacy questions. Public backlash against surveillance technology is growing. In some cities, residents have removed smart doorbells and vandalized license plate cameras. Wearable cameras amplify those concerns.

The The New York Times recently reported that Meta is exploring facial recognition features for future glasses. The report drew criticism from privacy advocates.

In response, one developer even built an app that alerts users when someone nearby may be wearing AI glasses. These concerns could shape how Meta positions any Prada device. Luxury buyers may expect discretion as much as innovation.

What Meta plans next

Meta and EssilorLuxottica plan to release a bulkier, third-generation version of their glasses later this year. Reports suggest the device may include a small display inside one lens.

EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri has said the company aims to reach annual production of 10 million units by the end of 2026.

Adding Prada to the lineup could help reach that scale while expanding into higher margins.

What to expect next

There is still no official confirmation. No product timeline is public. No branding details have leaked. Yet the pieces are lining up. Zuckerberg’s Milan appearance. CNBC’s earlier report, renewed licensing deals and rapid sales growth, together, they explain why Prada Meta AI glasses are now being closely watched.

If announced, they would mark Meta’s clearest step yet into luxury wearables.

Conclusion

Prada Meta AI glasses are not confirmed, but the signals are strong. Meta is expanding its smart glasses playbook beyond tech and sports. Luxury fashion may be the next frontier.