Does Made in Italy mean anything anymore? It does in one industry.

I bet you don’t hear that very often. Made in Italy. The label that once was worth Billions of dollars has all but vanished. Or has it?

Made in China. Doesn’t have the same appeal, but it’s reality and we have accepted it as the new origin of much of the products we buy. Let’s look at what Made in China means to most of us. Cheap, quick, moderate quality, mass production. And we have settled for it. It’s the norm, and everyone with a business idea is taking advantage of being able to produce products super cheap and quickly so they canstart selling.

Don’t get me wrong. Lower production costs should result in lower retail prices and it often does. But do you need to buy something made in China or India or Bangladesh to get it cheaper? The answer is NO, you just need to know where to look.

There is a phenomenon happening in one industry where ‘Made in Italy’ still means something. Eyewear. It is the only market in the designer fashion world where you can buy luxury, brand name items that are Made in Italy from high quality materials at reasonable prices. I should know because I am in that industry and am leading the charge in making designer sunglasses and optical eyewearmore affordable and more accessible.

If you go to the retail stores looking for Prada sunglasses or Gucci sunglasses or even Ray-Ban sunglasses, be prepared to pay double compared to online. Websites like iframes.com.au (shameless plug) and others offer competitively priced designer brand eyewear with better service than you often get in the stores. Most online eyewear stores stock a large range of Italian made eyewear that is durable and fashionable, and now it is a lot more affordable.  Gone are the days where you can only have that one special pair for all occasions.

But on the flip side, there is a new concept that asks the public to pay good money for Chinese made frames. Some online businesses copy the designs of the high-end fashion brands, make the products in China and sell them for up to $200. People think this is a great deal. You can save $100 or $200 by buying a pair of cheaply made glasses in the designs created by the fashion brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford and others.

Guess what? You can buy the real deal for the same price! Made in Italy, high quality materials and you get the assurance that your new frames will deliver what you want them to. The proof is in the pudding. More and more people are buying their eyewear online and with the ability to purchase designer frames at low prices, people are purchasing multiple pairs for various uses and situations such assport, work, casual, the snow, etc.

So Made in Italy does still mean something to a lot of people. It means quality, reliability, prestige and great design. People still want to buy quality products. Some Made in Italy products and brands are not within reach of most people, but for people who still want a touch of luxury with their eyewear, they can have it at over50% off.