Caroline Abram

You were born and raised in the world of eyewear. Was following in your family’s footsteps inevitable for you?
Not really. In fact, in my early teenage years, eyewear didn’t mean much to me. My true passion was drawing. But my mother insisted I earn a diploma, and I was very good at math, physics, and technical drawing. So, I thought I would get my diploma and then move on to a different field. But everything unfolded naturally. I started working at my mother’s optical store, while also attending ceramic workshops in the evenings. I knew how time-consuming this business was and wasn’t sure if it was something I’d want to do for the rest of my life.

What led you to focus on design?
I felt the need to create. Honestly, everything happened quite by chance. When I was 18, I spent a year in Senegal with my father and fell in love with someone there. I had to find a way not to feel stuck in Paris. At the time, there were amazing shops in Senegal selling handcrafted beads – silver beads, Mauritius beads, wooden ones… I had the idea of creating chains to sell in my mother’s store using these beautiful beads. When I went to the beach to see my boyfriend, I would make these chains while he was working. Back in Paris, I displayed them at the store. Until I founded my own eyewear brand, I kept creating collections simply because people loved them and I enjoyed the process – it felt like play. But over time, I realized I had a passion I couldn’t quite explain. I loved drawing, painting, working with color. So, finding myself in the world of design felt completely natural.

Your first eyewear collection received widespread acclaim. How did you prepare for it?
At first, I was planning to pair my feminine chains with ready-made reading glasses. I designed a collection that only matched butterfly-shaped frames. I knew there was a market for this. But I actually saw them as “women’s glasses.” I quickly realized that when the frames sit right at brow level, they visually lift the face – almost like a mini facelift. That’s when I decided to design joyful, feminine eyewear that lifts the facial features. Even young people embraced this style right away, and I knew I was on the right path.

Why is it important for you to appeal to women? Who wears Caroline Abram glasses?
Because my glasses are a reflection of my world. To me, eyewear is jewelry, makeup, and a mini facelift all in one. I always felt that women wore rather “melancholic” glasses. I wanted them to wear eyewear like they would apply blush or eyeliner. I wanted to help them achieve a chic but understated, beautiful but not bizarre look. Any woman who enjoys playing with her appearance, her individuality, or simply her femininity can wear Caroline Abram. I work a lot with structure. My frames are usually very refined. They’re not invisible, but they adapt well to different faces. I focus on how the glasses integrate with the person and subtly enhance her beauty – even if you can’t quite explain why. Just like makeup. I don’t like makeup that looks “too much.” The same applies to eyewear. You shouldn’t see the glasses – you should see the woman behind them. That’s my entire goal.

Why is your desire to empower women so strong?
It’s purely passion – it’s part of who I am. Since I was little, I’ve always sought harmony and wholeness. I never followed trends just because they were in fashion. Like everyone else, I’ve been unconsciously influenced by visuals around me, but my style has always been my own. I wear Stan Smiths and elegant dresses; I like tight fits and loose ones – I simply enjoy being a woman. That’s why I’ve always admired the 60s. Women looked like living dolls – carefully styled hair, dresses in vibrant colors… so full of life.

Where do you draw inspiration when designing your collections?
Inspiration always comes from the material or the shape. Take nylon, for example – the moment I saw this material, I wanted to design a collection around it. I “warmed” the material with my color palette, added soft, wavy curves to the temples to bring in femininity, and used titanium to preserve its lightness. I usually design in a way that honors the material. In a talk I gave in Australia, I used a first date analogy: You work out, wear your best dress, carefully pick your bag and shoes. But once you’re at the table, the man across from you sees only your glasses all evening! Everyone laughed – but it’s true. That’s what inspires me. Every time I see a woman put on my glasses, look in the mirror, and like what she sees – that’s when I say, “This is what I’m meant to do.”

What inspired you to create a collection for children?
Just as I hoped women would feel better wearing my glasses, I wanted the same for children. Wearing glasses often affects kids emotionally, especially since they’re frequently teased at school – it’s a cliché by now. That’s exactly why I designed a children’s collection that closely mirrors my adult line. The aim was to enhance their appearance while preserving their childlike essence. I once met a little girl who got a pair of Caroline Abram glasses and was absolutely over the moon. When she went to school, everyone loved her glasses and wanted to go to the eye doctor too. She was as happy as if I had sold her high heels. That’s exactly the kind of effect I want to create. Little girls who wear glasses shouldn’t be teased – they’re already beautiful.

As the founder of a globally recognized design brand, what’s your next goal
Growth is exciting for most people, but I don’t have a specific plan for what comes next – and I’m fine with that. For years, I worked outside of my comfort zone; I had to learn the business and take each step carefully. Now, I just want to keep creating things that people love. I feel a sense of responsibility to those who connect with the brand. I want to preserve my human and family-oriented side. I have no intention of growing any bigger.

Source: Pret a Voir & Lunettes Originales

May 2025