Meta has spent $3.5 billion for a ~3% stake in the company behind Ray-Bans

July 9, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg’s company really wants to make smart glasses happen.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, Meta has bought an almost 3% stake in EssilorLuxottica SA, with an eye to build that toward 5% in the future, sending shares of the European eyewear giant up 6% in early trading in Paris.

Meta’s investment in Essilor, the company behind Ray-Ban and Oakley — as well as its vast cabinet of licensed brands like Armani, Prada, and Ralph Lauren — is another clear display of its commitment to the smart glasses game, having launched its first collaboration with the brand in 2023.

The collaborative ties between the two companies have only gotten stronger in 2025, even before this new ~3% stake came to light. In January, Meta was reportedly planning wraparound sunglasses and other products with Oakley, while its proposed deluxe $1,000-plus Ray-Bans, set for release this year, were understandably making headlines in April.

Meta’s investment in Essilor, the company behind Ray-Ban and Oakley — as well as its vast cabinet of licensed brands like Armani, Prada, and Ralph Lauren — is another clear display of its commitment to the smart glasses game, having launched its first collaboration with the brand in 2023.

The collaborative ties between the two companies have only gotten stronger in 2025, even before this new ~3% stake came to light. In January, Meta was reportedly planning wraparound sunglasses and other products with Oakley, while its proposed deluxe $1,000-plus Ray-Bans, set for release this year, were understandably making headlines in April.