Gucci-Owner Kering to Launch Luxury Google Smart Glasses in 2027

Kering, the French luxury group that owns Gucci, is officially entering the smart glasses race. Speaking at the company's capital markets day in Florence on April 16, CEO Luca de Meo confirmed that Kering is partnering with Google to launch luxury smart glasses under the Gucci brand — with a target launch of 2027.

What We Know

• Partnership — Gucci (Kering) + Google, running Android XR with Gemini AI built in
• Launch window — "Probably next year, 2027" per de Meo
• Hardware — camera, microphones, and open-ear speakers in a fashion-forward frame
• Strategic context — part of de Meo's broader plan to scale Kering's eyewear and jewelry divisions

Why This Matters

This is the first time a major luxury house is entering the AI smart glasses category directly. It puts Gucci on a collision course with EssilorLuxottica (Meta's manufacturing partner), which makes Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and already owns Persol, Oakley, and dozens of other eyewear brands. Fashion-conscious buyers who wouldn't wear Ray-Ban Wayfarers will have a genuine luxury alternative.

What This Means for Buyers

If you're waiting for "fashion-first" smart glasses, 2027 is the timeline. For now, the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1 (starting at $224 currently) and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy XR-platform glasses remain the two production options. Meta's 18-month head start with Ray-Ban fashion partnerships may be hard to close — but Gucci brings cultural cachet that no current smart-glasses brand can match.