When you spend hundreds of dollars on smart glasses, you want to protect them — and maybe make them stand out. An Italian startup called Lorika has launched Ontop, a set of clip-on frame covers for Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, aiming to solve both problems. The covers are the company's first product and are available starting today.
The Ontop covers are made from polycarbonate plastic with elastic polymers woven in for stability. A single piece clips around the lens and covers the hinges that connect the glasses' arms, while separate pieces slap onto the arms. They do not cover the cameras or speakers. The covers are one millimeter thick, though clipping them on gives the glasses a “noticeably chunkier look,” according to a report from WIRED. The result is a deliberately loud, brightly colored aesthetic.
Pricing is set at $35 or $40 depending on the model. The covers are designed for the Wayfarer version of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, compatible with both first- and second-generation models.
Why Fashion Matters for Smart Glasses
Giorgio Di Cesare, CEO of Lorika, explained the motivation behind the design. “If you want something else, something different on design, something more chubby, more puffy, you can get that,” he told WIRED. The inspiration came from phone cases — Di Cesare was an early customer of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses and broke a pair at the hinge, prompting him to seek better protection.
Smart glasses have evolved far from the early “Glasshole” days. Meta, through its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, has made glasses that largely look like regular eyewear, normalizing daily use. But that very normalcy has also drawn criticism: the devices can be abused by creeps, leading to rising public animosity. Other companies like Google are following Meta's lead by collaborating with fashion-forward manufacturers such as Warby Parker and Gentle Monster.
Snap's new AR Specs illustrate why fashion is critical. While powerful, the devices were noted for being extremely expensive and looking “very silly,” with frames so big they squished the ears of CEO Evan Spiegel.
Competition and Future Plans
Lorika does not have any official collaboration with Meta. Meta did not immediately respond to WIRED's request for comment. Di Cesare acknowledged Meta's strength: “I’m not saying they can't make smart glasses, because obviously they can better than everybody,” he said. “But they have a lot to improve, and we want to improve that.”
He described the relationship as additive: “Luxottica and Meta are the giants in this field, so they are the biggest and most powerful companies. We want to add something. We want to protect [the glasses]; we want to strengthen them.”
The company aims to expand to other Meta styles, such as its Oakley and Display glasses. Eventually, Lorika plans to make covers for other brands. Di Cesare believes Meta's current designs don't go far enough on color: “The most common, most popular models are always black or dark in general. If you look around, you just see dark, dark, dark, or maybe sometimes dark brown. On the color side, we're improving that for sure.”
Implications for Enterprise Tech Leaders
For CTOs and technology procurement leaders evaluating smart glasses for field service, logistics, or remote assistance, the Lorika cases highlight an emerging ecosystem of accessories that could influence adoption. Durable, customizable hardware may encourage broader employee use, while the protection factor reduces breakage costs — a practical consideration when deploying devices at scale. As smart glasses continue their march into enterprise environments, the availability of protective and personalizable accessories may become a factor in purchasing decisions.