The President of Ray-Ban will receive the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week Award 2026 in a ceremony that celebrates the fusion of entrepreneurial vision and positive social change.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, who leads the iconic eyewear brand whilst serving as Chief Strategy Officer of EssilorLuxottica and President of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation in Italy, will accept the honour on 17th April during Monaco’s premier fashion event.
The award recognises executives who demonstrate what organisers call the balance between business achievement and social responsibility. EssilorLuxottica, formed from the 2018 merger of Italian eyewear giant Luxottica and French lens manufacturer Essilor, is one of the world’s largest eyewear companies with brands including Ray-Ban, Oakley and Persol.
Federica Nardoni Spinetta, who founded Monte-Carlo Fashion Week and leads the Chambre Monégasque de la Mode, said the event aimed to highlight those who “transform an entrepreneurial vision into concrete positive impact on society.”
Monaco connection
Del Vecchio said receiving the award in Monaco held personal significance. “Receiving it in Monte-Carlo, a city to which I have been deeply attached since childhood, makes it even more meaningful,” he said in a statement.
He added that his company would continue focusing on “people, innovation, responsibility and accessibility.”
Fashion week’s evolving focus
Monte-Carlo Fashion Week has increasingly emphasised sustainability and social responsibility alongside traditional fashion showcasing. The event, which receives official backing from the Principality, seeks to distinguish itself from larger fashion weeks by focusing on what it describes as ethical and responsible fashion practices.
The 2026 edition continues this approach, with organisers stating the event gives voice to designers working on inclusive and sustainable practices. It comes as the fashion industry has faced scrutiny over “greenwashing” claims, with critics questioning whether sustainability messaging matches actual environmental and social impact.
Del Vecchio’s award reflects a broader trend in fashion industry recognition extending beyond design creativity to include corporate social responsibility initiatives. The OneSight Foundation, which he leads in Italy, provides vision care services in underserved communities, though the foundation is funded by EssilorLuxottica, which benefits commercially from increased awareness of vision needs.
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