Is aluminium the future of eyewear? Mykita founder Moritz Krueger and Rimowa believe so
Precision, quality and functionality are just some of the things that we associate with German design. And when we think of German brands—be it luxury cars like BMW and Mercedes-Benz or appliance brands like Bosch—it’s these qualities that spring to mind.
Mykita brings this same ethos to eyewear. An eyewear label founded in Berlin in 2003, Mykita has been leading innovations in eyewear space for more than two decades. We’re talking about breakthroughs like a patented spiral hinge that eliminates the need for screws in eyewear; stainless steel frames made from 90 per cent recycled content; and 3D-printed designs that use a proprietary material to create lighter frames.
Each Mykita product is also designed, handcrafted, prototyped and refined in its Berlin atelier. Each pair undergoes more than 80 manual steps to ensure every detail meets Mykita’s exacting standards.
Mykita’s minimalist design and focus on quality have led to collaborations with Maison Margiela, Leica and Helmut Lang. Now, the brand has joined forces with another pioneer in German design—Rimowa, which revolutionised the luggage sector with its aviation-inspired grooved aluminium.
The Rimowa x Mykita collaboration is defined by two collections: Heritage, which pairs Mykita’s stainless steel with Rimowa’s anodised aluminium; and Visor, ultra-lightweight sunshields. Each pair also comes with a certificate of authenticity, though for Mykita founder and creative director Moritz Krueger, the true mark of authenticity lies in the craftsmanship itself.
Tatler spoke to Krueger about the making of this landmark collaboration, what it was like for Mykita to work with aluminium for the first time and more.
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Mykita founder and creative director Moritz Krueger (Photo courtesy of Rimowa)
What does this collaboration with Rimowa mean to you as a designer and entrepreneur?It brings together two manufacturers with a deep understanding of materials, engineering and aesthetic clarity. There’s a new intelligence flowing into these products—the result of combining distinct design codes and decades of expertise—making them smarter than conventional eyewear. It reflects what we value at Mykita: precision, purpose and pushing boundaries through innovation.
You incorporated Rimowa’s anodised aluminium in eyewear. Did you face any challenges working with this material?Absolutely. It’s the first time we’ve used aluminium in our sunglasses. While it’s a familiar material in the world of luggage, it behaves quite differently when used at the necessary scale for eyewear. The design was all about capitalising on the natural properties of the materials—the lightness and flexibility of stainless steel and the structural stability afforded by anodised aluminium.It took extensive testing to achieve the right balance and to ensure a seamless combination of the two materials. Beyond the engineering challenges, we wanted to create a unique material experience: the matte surface of the aluminium against the refined lines of stainless steel. This results in an aesthetic that feels intelligent, refined and unlike anything we’ve done before.
Rimowa x Mykita MR004 sunglasses (Photo: Rimowa)
Rimowa x Mykita MR001 sunglasses (Photo: Rimowa)
Rimowa x Mykita MR002 sunglasses (Photo: Rimowa)
Rimowa x Mykita MR005 sunglasses (Photo: Rimowa)
Explain the choice of eyewear shapes for the collaboration’s Heritage line?They are all timeless archetypes that can resonate with people across generations. It was important to anchor this new material in shapes that felt familiar but [was] executed with a fresh edge.
Tell us about the Visor collection. The Visor is the ultimate mobility companion that combines an ultra-light construction with wrap-around protection. It offers an immersive wearing experience.
The Mylon shield clip securely holds the toric lens shield in place. The clip itself becomes a defining visual detail, expressing our onus on visible engineering where technical solutions can also be part of a product’s aesthetic language.
What do you hope individuals feel while using pieces from the collaboration?That sense of wearing something made precisely—not flashy but smart and distinct. We wanted these frames to feel like functional companions in motion: lightweight, protective and beautifully resolved. There’s a confidence that comes from wearing something designed with integrity and built to last.
Rimowa x Mykita MR004 sunglasses (Photo: Rimowa)
Rimowa x Mykita MR002 sunglasses (Photo: Rimowa)
Rimowa x Mykita MR005 sunglasses (Photo: Rimowa)
Rimowa x Mykita MR001 sunglasses (Photo: Rimowa)
Since starting Mykita, what has been the most exciting development you’ve noticed in the eyewear space? To be brutally honest, I find developments in the eyewear space underwhelming. When it comes to aesthetics, the same dishes are served over and over again. Trend cycles repeat but they’re all coming from the same production sites and use the same methods. I’d like to say that the differences go beyond a logo, but that’s rarely the case.
On the flipside, there’s a growing appreciation for technical details and material intelligence. And, for us, as a company that develops everything in-house, this shift is creating more room for meaningful innovation, be it in sustainability, manufacturing or functionality.
Mykita is in its 22nd year. What are your hopes for the brand going forward?To stay on our own path: curious and independent in our thinking as well as cultivating the unconventional. We remain focused on setting new standards in our field and staying resistant to trends because this idea is not aligned with responsible design.
What’s next for Mykita? We’re developing a landmark eyewear retail concept—a space that redefines the category by connecting eye health and design in a way that hasn’t been done before. And as always, we are committed to crafting eyewear that speaks to both function and feeling.
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