Eyewear turning Japanese at International Optical Fair Tokyo

The three-day IOFT eyewear exhibition at the Tokyo Big Sight building attracts visitors and exhibitors from across the globe. In order to gain a European perspective on the Asian optical industry, I spoke initially with European exhibitors, whose stands did not have a prominent spot but plenty of curious visitors. This was particularly true of Berlin-based ic!berlin, represented by its charismatic founder Ralph Anderl, in typically eye-catching attire: a purple suit and large green hat. He was equally as happy to share his vision of the Asian market as he was to be pictured by admiring visitors.

He explained how the Japanese lover of the fresh and creative was a key driver for ic!berlin’s move into the country’s market with a new collection. ‘In Germany, consumers typically wait for three years or so before they would buy your brand because they are afraid of new things,’ he said. ‘As a newcomer, it takes time to start a collection in Europe. In Japan you can start a collection – the Japanese admire creativity and they love details.’