Zuckerberg Spotted at Prada Show: Speculation Mounts Over Prada-Edition Meta AI Glasses

MILAN — At the Prada Fall/Winter 2026 show on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the front row featured an unexpected pair of guests: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. Zuckerberg was seen in deep conversation with Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada’s Chief Merchandising Officer and heir to the fashion house, sparking immediate speculation that a "Prada Meta" collaboration is imminent.

While Zuckerberg has been refining his personal style lately, industry observers suggest his presence in Milan was strictly business. This follows a CNBC report from last summer indicating that Prada-branded AI glasses were in development—a move Meta has yet to officially confirm.

A Move Into the Luxury Niche

Meta’s current smart glasses strategy relies on a multi-brand approach through its partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. By adding Prada to its lineup, Meta aims to capture the high-fashion luxury market, a segment currently untouched by its existing offerings:

• Ray-Ban Meta: The lifestyle and casual standard.
• Oakley Meta: The performance-oriented choice for athletes.
• Prada Meta (Speculative): A luxury symbol designed to transform the device from a tech gadget into a high-end fashion accessory.

Record-Breaking Sales and Infrastructure

The potential expansion comes as Meta’s wearable division sees explosive growth. According to recent data from EssilorLuxottica, the company sold over 7 million AI glasses in 2025, a massive leap from 2 million in 2024.

The groundwork for a Prada version is already in place. Prada and EssilorLuxottica recently renewed their licensing agreement through 2030, with an option to extend to 2035. This long-term stability provides Meta with a proven manufacturing pipeline for premium frames.

The Privacy Hurdle

Despite the commercial success, Meta faces a growing "surveillance backlash." In several regions, consumers have begun pushing back against always-on cameras, with reports of residents removing Ring doorbells and disabling surveillance tech in public spaces.

Criticism has also mounted regarding Meta's potential plans to add facial recognition features to its eyewear. Some developers have even gone as far as creating apps designed to alert users if someone nearby is wearing AI-equipped glasses. For Meta, a partnership with a brand like Prada may help soften the "tech" image of the glasses, but the challenge of navigating public privacy concerns remains.