What's Your Fancy: Rosario Toscano, Valentino's Eyewear Collaborator

Nov 02, 2024

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The ceo of the eyewear label Akoni Group, who collaborated with Alessandro Michele for his debut Valentino collection, can't travel without glasses or matcha powder.

Alessandro Michele made his runway debut as Valentino creative director during Paris Fashion Week and accessories, not surprisingly, featured prominently in his Spring 2025 collection. The designer has always offered a "more is more" aesthetic, and his romantic, bohemian looks were again embellished with jewelry, millinery and striking eyewear. The oversize spectacles on display were made with Rosario Toscano, the chief executive officer and co-founder of the label Akoni Group, which makes its own product as well as the eyewear at another French heritage house, Balmain. Toscano and co-founder Salma Rachid launched in 2019, and the brand's first designs, as well as the Balmain license, hit the market shortly thereafter. It was not the most auspicious moment to go out to market. "The world of luxury presents exceptional challenges even during the best of times, but the outbreak of a global pandemic during our launch year was something else entirely," Toscano says. Still, the label persevered, and it scored the Valentino license in 2022; Michele chose to continue the collaboration. Perhaps that's because Akoni is made in Japan, which is to eyewear what Switzerland is to watches. "From product design through manufacture, the pursuit of excellence and attention to detail found in Japan are arguably unmatched anywhere else on earth," Toscano adds. That's not the only local specialty the entrepreneur has picked up on his many visits there. Here, he shares the products he can't live without.

"More than just their practical ability to protect my eyes from the glaring sun, they are the ultimate manifestation of my personal sense of style. Their sleek design perfectly fits my face and they’re so comfortable that I sometimes forget I have them on. I also love the selection of classic colorways that I can seamlessly color-match to my wristwatches."

"Balmain is an incredible brand partner and we look forward to working with the maison for many years to come. Creative Director Olivier Rousteing is, of course, a brilliant talent and my favorite Balmain RTW piece is the leather motorcycle jacket. That said, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the new Balmain new fragrance that I received last week—it’s absolutely stunning and I can’t recommend it highly enough."

"As a Sicilian, food is one of my genuine passions and Japanese food is one of my very favorite cuisines. I love the powerful flavors and textures of uni and Kobe beef, as well as more subtle flavor experiences like yuzu. Still, if I have to pick only one Japanese product that I can’t live without, then it’s my matcha powder—I never leave home without it."

"Linen is a fantastic fabric that breathes well in warm climates, can be dressed up or down and travels well—it looks great wrinkled so you never have to iron!)"

"When it comes to Valentino, the V-Uno style captures classic Valentino romanticism but adds an elegant yet distinctly modern twist. Featuring a lightweight frame that’s comfortable and suited for everyday wear, V-Uno is perfect for those seeking to make a subtle yet sophisticated fashion statement."

"Sunglasses are unique among all accessories in that they also serve a vital health purpose—protecting our sensitive eyes from the damage caused by UV radiation. In addition to sunglasses, I always wear SPF 50 sunblock on my face and keep myself well hydrated. Drinking more water might be the single best thing we can do for the health of our bodies."

"Exercise is an important part of my life, so I always travel with a small gym kit. My go-to workout brands are Nike and Lululemon."

Erik Maza is the Executive Style Director at Town & Country, overseeing print, digital and social coverage of fashion, architecture/design and the intersection of money, power and scandal. Before T&C, he led W’s editorial voice across digital platforms, including the relaunch of the trademark “In & Out” List as a weekly newsletter. Earlier, he edited Women’s Wear Daily’s the Eye®, a news/features vertical covering culture and style. He was also WWD’s media columnist, reporting a daily column, Memo Pad, that consistently broke news about the media industry in a highly competitive beat. He began his career working as a reporter at the Miami New Times and later at the Baltimore Sun. He was born and raised in Cuba, and lives in New York City. He can be found on X and Instagram @erikmaza.

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