Eyewear gave me a vision
Drift Eyewear mood board. Inspired by high art collectables, mid-century modern furniture and bold geometry
The Unforgettable Journey of Eyewear Design at Polimoda
It's hard to believe it's over. Just yesterday, surrounded by the incredible talent of my classmates at Polimoda, I presented my final eyewear collection. Drift eyewear (more on that in the next post!) And as I reflect on every single moment of this intensive design program, one overwhelming feeling emerges.. pure joy.
Before Polimoda, I felt like I was searching for a lost frequency – my own creative voice. Life and the day to day of work has a way of dimming that connection I think. But from the moment I stepped into those classes at the beautiful Via Curtatone campus, something shifted. I woke up each day eager. Eager to learn, eager to dive into new concepts, eager to collaborate with my new friends, and most importantly, eager to create.
It was more than just a course; it was a profound re-connection. I found myself deeply in tune with every step of the design process. The research, the sketching, the material exploration – it all had meaning. There was a genuine flow, an almost effortless sense of purpose. I felt little stress because to me, it all was all interesting and I could see the connection to the end product. This deep engagement left me considering the path forward. How do I align my passion with tangible next steps for what I can do with this incredible education. My initial plan, and one I'm still incredibly excited about, is to combine my existing UX and tech skills with my new eyewear design knowledge to focus on smart eyewear. Imagine the possibilities where fashion is equal to tech and not taking a back seat! Interestingly, one of my instructors even suggested building my own specialized team to consult with existing eyewear brands, helping them navigate the exciting world of smart eyewear integration. Or perhaps I'll seek opportunities to work directly with established eyewear brands to gain invaluable industry experience. Since I started this endeavor as a potential second career, figuring out how to balance it with my current work will be part of the adventure. Of course, the dream of designing and finding a manufacturer for my own collections is also there, though the initial investment is definitely something to consider!
The culmination of this journey was presenting my final collection. And honestly? I love it. When I look at it there is nothing I am second guessing myself about or small tweaks I would change. I knew I felt this way when I was excited to present my collection and spoke freely and easily about the research I did and the decisions I made. The most rewarding feedback came from my design instructors and classmates who all said, "Your collection is so you, Stephanie.". It wasn't just about technical skill (though I've gained much of that!), it was about pouring my authentic self into the geometry and detail. Twenty-year-old me, with all her uncertainty, could never have conceived or executed something with such a strong sense of personal style and conviction.
The encouragement has been overwhelming. My classmates, who have become friends for life, looked at me yesterday and said, "If there's anyone who can make it happen, it's you, Stephanie." That belief, combined with the incredible insights and skills I've gained, has left me truly buoyant.
This isn't the end, it's just the start. Soon, I'll share a post about my love affair with Florence (spoiler: I absolutely adore it here!) and, of course, delve even deeper into the exciting next steps for what I plan to do next. I'm more excited than ever to shape what's next in eyewear.
I’m in Florence for a few more days and plan to rest up before going back to work next week. This experience has been a powerful reminder that it's never too late to pursue what truly interests you. It makes me wonder dear eyewear lovers, what's that hidden passion you could nurture? How do you reconnect? I'd love to hear your thoughts and journeys in the comments below!
