THE FUTURE IS NOW: GENTLE MONSTER’S NEW INTELLIGENT EYEWEAR

words by ANOUK WOUDT

What if your eyeglasses could take calls or play your favourite music? You no longer have to imagine it. The future is officially now with the launch of Gentle Monster’s first intelligent eyewear collection, designed in partnership with tech giants Google and Samsung. With built-in audio engagement, these glasses can almost overtake all your main smartphone functions just by being worn. You can take photos, call a friend, play a tune, all while leaving your style uncompromised with the sleek ‘90s supermodel silhouette that adds a dash of effortless glamour to any look.

all images courtesy of GENTLE MONSTER

Collaborating with some of the biggest names in technology, this partnership is hardly surprising considering the average Gentle Monster’s retail experience. Known for their massive robotic installations that decorate the insides of their stores, technology is definitely a central interest of the brand. From massive sausage dogs to hauntingly realistic faces, their stores appear closer to a futuristic art gallery rather than a store.

Revealed today at the Google I/O 2026, the launch of this new eyewear line will be coming to stores later this fall, though they have already unveiled the prototype of what we will be able to expect. Merging two of tech’s greatest powers, the glasses use Samsung’s engineering and Google’s AI supermachine to create a truly advanced piece of wearable technology. Including built-in speakers, a camera, and microphones, these glasses are almost as equipped as Samsung’s smartphones, transferring their signature technological adaptations to a new format.

The sunglasses also input a direct line to one of the leading AI forces, Google Gemini. This allows users to get direct information about their surroundings by speaking to their eyewear… Again, this is the future. You can also get navigation instructions connected to a live camera feed for precise directions. Gemini also offers live translations, making these glasses perfect for travelling, as well.

Somehow, even with all of these extensive built-in features, the sunglasses are somehow not clunky at all. The design is stylish, comfortable, perfect for everyday wear. Respecting the Gentle Monster aesthetic, this collection maintains a fashion-forward approach, positioning itself at the forefront of stylish wearable tech — which can be a difficult feat indeed. Cameras and speakers are seamlessly integrated, blending into the bold frame. Captured by fashion photographer Carlijn Jacobs, the campaign is revealed with an editorial edge that cements the product’s purpose as more than just a piece of technology, but rather a stylish accessory with extra hidden perks.