Melon Sunglasses S/S 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Sunglasses S/S 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Melon
Interviewee: Neil Slinger/ Sales Director

How have your sales been in 2025 so far?
2025 has been a positive year with us taking a risk and shifting our entire lens range to colour photochromic in both our sport and lifestyle models – but…it worked. Being an outdoor focused brand rather than fashion, its clear our customers value performance in their products.

What are the key trends in sunglasses for board sports for Spring/Summer 2026?
We don’t focus on fashion trends really, being a more performance focused brand. Of course we listen to what shapes are trending but we don’t try and jump on the acetate flat genZ look that everyone is pumping out. From us you will see a strengthened range of colour photochromic Vantage lenses which we released already in 2025. The lifestyle range features colour photochromic polarized which are something quite special for those spending long days in the outdoor. Coupled with some exciting product collaborations including a special range with SEA SHEPHERD made from reclaimed and recycled fishing nets.

Which segment of your 2025 offering is selling best and why?
Performance sunglasses – its our foundation now thanks to a strong following in Bike, Trail Running and other outdoor sports. Also our collaborations perform strongly especially D2C – seems stores are a little shy to take on such collabs, which is a shame as they sell like crazy, stand out from the crowded market and give something to talk about with consumers. This year’s standout was the Iron Maiden 50 Years Limited Edition whereby the first delivery sold out on preorder before it even landed on stock.

What frame shapes and colours will you offer in your SS26 collection?
Frame shapes will remain quite classic in 2026, we have no reason to invent the wheel – however we will see a couple of special editions with collaboration partners being dropped during the Summer – along with the full Sea Shepherd line – which is very matte black of course! 2026 will also see us releasing special limited edition colourway drops every 2 weeks of our performance sunglasses range – available for a few days only post drop or until sold out – whichever is fastest! This gives us some room to play with design ideas, test the market and have some fun!

What materials are you using in your SS26 collection?
We continue to use recycled TR90 in all of our line, and we add a reclaimed and recycled fishing net frame material with the introduction of the Sea Shepherd range. We aim to move all our sunglasses frames to this material after next year.

What lens technologies will you offer in your SS26 collection?
Its all about our VANTAGE Colour Photochromic range. Launched this year to test the market, it has performed better than we could have imagined. We launched with trail tint specific photochromic lenses for bike and trail running, as well as photochromic polarized lenses for our lifestyle range – perfect for those surf check days getting up at dawn and driving home at dusk – you will be wearing them all day. 2026 will see us looking into new photochromic lens tech for use in snow, fishing, etc – lenses for all types of outdoor activities.

Which lens colours and tints will you be offering in SS26?
Our Vantage Photochromic range features colour chrome coatings which stay strong even while the lens is transitioning – so you never look like a nerdy goofball from the outside as the light gets darker, but you can see where you are going!

Any new sustainable practices in your production and shipping processes?
All Melon sunglasses are made from recycled TR90 material, and the new SEA SHEPHERD range is made from reclaimed and recycled fishing nets – with the aim being to shift to all production in this material end of next year. Our microfibre bags are also fully recycled of course.

What are your SS26 marketing stories?
For the Ocean! Sea Shepherd is our big one. With a soft launch happening Fall/Winter 2025 for the collaborative snow and bike goggles, we release the full sunglasses range in Spring 2026 which can be preordered now. 15% of revenues going to Sea Sheperd projects to help protect our oceans. We will also see another special edition Iron Maiden sunglasses model as well as some other music related collabs which will remain top secret for now 😊 Vantage Photochromic is a big deal for us, shifting the entire line to these transition lenses. The big play being the colour chrome coating remains strong even in dark conditions when the inner lens transitions to clear – so you keep your preferred sunglasses look while getting all the performance optics you need.

How will you support retailers to sell this category?
I come from retail, so I know important for retailers is not only exciting, innovative and captivating product but a low risk partnership as well as good sell thru margins. I hope we are able to provide for all of those with a high performance line, exciting collaborations in design, solid presentation packages and we are there to help retailers rather than pressure them – if something doesn’t work, thanks to our strong D2C foundation – send it back, its all good.

Key Products:

ARCADE – SEA SHEPHERD:
The classic outdoor shape, made for all occasions. This time we teamed up with Sea Shepherd for the Oceans, to create an Arcade made from reclaimed and recycled fishing nets. Packed with polarised lenses for the best optics with reduced glare. 15% of revenue goes to Sea Shepherd projects.

Arcade Sea Shepherd

HALFWAY SEA SHEPHERD:
Our semi wrap sunglasses model gets the Sea Shepherd design treatment. We teamed up with Sea Sheperd to give back to ocean projects. Not only are these sunglasses made with reclaimed and recycled fishing nets, but 15% of sales is donated to Sea Shepherd to tackle ocean issues. The Halfways are also polarised and built for outdoor adventures.

Halfway Sea Shepherd

ALLEYCAT VANTAGE PHOTOCHROMIC:
Our best selling Alleycat performance sunglasses now come supercharged with Vantage Photochromic lenses. Giving the wearer transition lenses adapting from cat 1-3, with a specialised outer chrome coating, so they never look clear from the outside, even when they are on the inside – business in the back, party in the front! Performance blending with design.

Alleycat Vantage