Why is innovation important to you? Hasn’t everything already been invented in glasses?
Innovation is part of our dna – the goal is to offer our customers something new and relevant that brings a tangible benefit that didn’t exist before. We strive to experiment with new materials and new design techniques to improve how our frames look, feel and weigh. This is our goal and it seems like it is relevant to others too. We serve over 25,000 opticians in over 80 countries worldwide. Our innovative materials and technologies matched with fine craftsmanship have been recognized with awards such as the Red Dot Award for Product Design. We are the only eyewear brand included in the Museum of Design in Milano. As we know our city is a world capital for design, and it was an honor to sit next to some of the best design brands like Ferrari, Ducati, Vespa, Boffi, Cappellini and so on. 

That’s an impressive track record. You also mentioned quality and craftsmanship. Can you elaborate on your approach in these departments?
We founded our brand along the idea of bringing a level of quality that is unparalleled at this price point. We believe that quality – even more so than price – is part of the definition of luxury. We want to bring this experience to a broad public, part of which may now be buying mainstream brands with an average level of quality. In this scenario we may be the first step into the world of independent boutique brands. Or in many other cases, our customers may be the ones that navigate this world already and enjoy how we constantly evolve our range, while still maintaining the highest possible craftsmanship standards.

Is there a new design direction for the SS23 collection?
For SS 2023 we are strengthening the design direction we have introduced last year. We are convinced this approach is enhancing the power of our families: Air, Bold, Sun.

Can you tell us about Air collection?
Modo’s Air frames have long been an attention-grabber, and SS 2023 is no different. Innovation fused with comfort and style – that’s what we’ve always sought to deliver with our Air frames. For SS 2023, we are introducing five new styles in multiple new colors. All benefit from our patented hinge technology to make them more durable and comfortable to wear.

What distinguishes the Bold collection?
Our Bold frames were first conceptualized to help our customers show off their sense of style and flair. Since then, we’ve continually updated the category with new additions that offer intense colors, unique shapes, and uncompromising construction materials. In 2023 we are having seven more stunning styles.

And the sunglasses?
At last, the Sun collection. In 2023 we will have five more options of frames that protect the eyes from the sun while showing off our sense of style at the same time. HCD (High Chromatic Definition) is our top-notch proprietary technology which makes our lenses stand out in the market for quality and technology. Together Polarized and Anti reflective features it sets us on a different level from most competitors.

You pay a lot of attention to the materials. Which materials do you prefer to work with at the moment?
We work with noble materials like titanium, beta titanium, the finest acetates and hi-tech plastics like our own R 1000 resin. At the moment R 1000 is what we and our customers are having more fun with. It is an incredible material that we picked from the aeronautics, a memory plastic, very resistant, flexible and light with a wide color range. This allows us to create the lightest thin and bold frames in the market. Our R 1000 + titanium line won the Red Dot Award, the IF Award and brought us amongst the finalists of the Compasso D’Oro Award.

Which technical features are typical for Modo?
We like to play with small technical details that are usually loved by opticians and experts and make our frames special for consumers, like our hinges for example. Our hidden screwless hinge delivers several key benefits – starting from no longer having to deal with a screw, which falls off and leaves you “eyewear-less” to include significantly increased stability, strength, and resilience for eyewear. The use of self-lubricating metallic surfaces ensures fluidity of motion and the smoothest rotation possible for a difference that can be felt each time the arms are folded or unfolded. It also enables a sleeker, more streamlined design. The resulting “invisible” hinges foster the ability to create entirely new designs, allowing us to use opaque colors to completely hide the hinge or translucent colors that showcase the hinge’s form and operation.

What are other special features that can be found in your glasses?
There is something big we started developing in SS23, it is a project we very much care about and it is all about customization of our Paper-Thin Rimless collection. This collection has grown to be a best-seller for us and is a real alternative to the leading brands in the market. We thought there still was some unexpressed potential. That’s why we now offer customers the possibility to compose their own frames, by choosing the lenses’ shapes, color combinations, the bridges’ and temples’ sizes.

What is the core of your new SS23 campaign?
Our roots are the core! We were founded in NY and later expanded into our three cities – NY, Milano and Stockholm. We shoot our campaigns rotating across each of them. For the SS23 campaign, we decided to build on our heritage and go back to where we were founded in 1990 – New York City. Because there’s no place like home. And because New York City’s environments and people are just as diverse as our collection of frames. Inspired by elements as varied as a rooftop in the heart of SoHo to the celebration of craftsmanship in Brooklyn’s Industry City, the SS23 campaign brings a vibrant new look and mood to the Modo brand. But one thing that will never change is our commitment to delivering quality, durability, and lightness, no matter where we go.

We can assume that Modo will continue in this direction in the future, right?
Probably yes. We were founded in 1990 along the concept of “Eyewear for the Individual”, which we feel stands fresh and relevant over 30 years later. Our mission to bring the best design, quality and innovation possible in our world remains the same – how we will roll it out along the way is what will evolve constantly. This is what excites us about the future and why we love our job.

Source: Favrspecs

June 2023

Could you explain additive manufacturing and why do you prefer it?
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is understood as a production technology where materials are added onto each other, as opposed to most contemporary production technologies, where processes are used to remove material. This approach is far more resource and energy efficient. Of course, there are also many different kinds of AM technologies. We use the Powder Bed Fusion technology, which involves melting a very fine polyamide powder using a laser and then applying it in layers. To our system, it’s totally irrelevant whether you make a hundred identical or a hundred completely unique pairs of glasses. That allows you to focus on producing on demand, and on making custom pieces. We can also recycle most of the remaining powder, which means we generate far less waste than traditional manufacturing processes.

What are the key features of 3D printed glasses?
They are thirty percent lighter than traditional acetate glasses and they’re more durable with a carbon footprint that’s only a third of what we get from acetate production. It’s a very sustainable way to make eyewear.

Your eyewear designs are based on prototype frame with a more basic design. What does that mean, exactly?
The design process starts with pen and paper, as you would expect. Our two designers create the basic design, which is then turned into a parameterized 3D design using our own proprietary software. We can then put that design onto scans of our target market to try them out and then optimize them. After that, we start prototyping, where we start actually printing the first few models. Thanks to our designers’ experience and the optimization we do using out software, the result at this step is usually already very close to the final product. At the end, our software department goes over it one more time and calculates an average face shape based on our data for our target market, which we then use to fine tune the design.

How do you customize an eyewear model further after all that?
Oftentimes the glasses will already fit quite well in their standard form. If a customer’s face shape is a bit outside of that average, or the customer just really wants a perfectly sized pair of glasses, the optician can scan the customer’s face in using an iPad. With that, we can adjust the design to fit the customer’s face exactly.

Why is it important to you to keep production in Germany?
We founded You Mawo in 2016 in Constance, and our headquarters are still there. In general, you could argue that Germany has the strictest requirements for us, but we don’t see that as an obstacle, really. Rather, it’s an opportunity to push for higher standards and to ensure a solid quality standard.

Could we say that manufacturing in Germany gives you a competitive advantage?
Made in Germany still means a lot to people in many markets internationally. We enjoy having that “Made in Germany” seal, and we’re proud that we get to actively help shape the reputation of that label.

You have a local production concept based on needs. What would you like to say about this?
Traditional production technologies are almost always designed for mass production. Glasses need to be produced in massive numbers with a lot of lead time, three to twelve months or even longer. In the optics industry we have thirty percent overproduction—nearly one in three pairs of glasses that’s produced is never sold. The number of individual models doesn’t matter in our production cycles. We can produce on demand, react to new trends quickly, and even adjust to regional needs and peculiarities. That allows us to avoid the risk of overproduction, which also helps us when it comes to pricing.

You aim to further expand your concept of local production and decentralized production. Could we learn your reasons?
The eyewear market is organized like the fashion industry, with centralized production. There, it doesn’t matter at all whether production is in Germany, Italy or China. The product is made or assembled at one location, and then shipped off to a central head office, from where it gets sent off to opticians all over the world. We are changing that. As soon as a market is large enough, we’ll build a local production hub and produce in that market, for that market. This allows us to keep out supply chains short while still guaranteeing our quality standards. We keep the development as well as data sovereignty in Germany. As a result, we also maintain the strict data protection guidelines that we have here, and everything is taxed and monitored from here.

You’re already 100% carbon neutral. Is there still any motivation for you to boost sustainability further?
Yes, of course. Every business should anchor sustainability deeply into their own Dna, always considering ways to improve. For example, since 2021 we’ve also become “plastic positive”. Not only do we abstain from using plastics as much as possible, we also remove a larger amount from the oceans. That makes us not just carbon neutral, but carbon negative. Basically, we are never satisfied with “state of the art” as it is. That’s the motivation driving us to look for ways to develop and optimize further.

Could you tell us about the general characteristics of the collections you have launched? Does your new range have anything in common with the others in terms of design?
As You Mawo, we have four basic collections that we offer for a variety of user types and styles. The Bold Collection is for characters who like bolder and bold lines. The Fineline Collection is a versatile line. The faceplates, made of polyamide, weigh about as much as a piece of paper without the lenses, for which we developed our own patented hinge. Design Lab is like a pool for new and creative ideas and we have Young Mawo Line for the younger generation. Our newly launched sunglasses collection has design influences from these four core lines, but it has its own unique spirit and definitely reflects our ambition in the market.

Have there been any models that you’ve removed from the collections over the years?
As a rule, we allow designs to phase out to keep the collections compact. However, we have all of the data saved, so if a customer comes back after five years, we can reproduce his model, no problem. We can’t make any guarantees about the exact colors, but that just means you get your favorite model in a new shade.

Kaynak: Favrspecs

May 2023

Is it hard to reconcile both past and future of such a historic brand?
I’m always thinking that we have big shoes to fill. But one of the things that I love about the brand is that throughout the entire fifty+ year history, Matsuda has felt “current” and “of the moment”, all while staying true to the vision. So to answer your question, it is always a bit challenging, but the challenge is what drives us.

One of the similarities that you share with Mitsuhiro is a love for France. He traveled to Paris in the 80s to find inspiration for his clothing line. And you also fell in love with France at a young age. What does France mean to you?
Ah, France… One of the most beautiful, fascinating countries in the world. I think that there is such an appreciation for life and for history that exists in French culture. When I moved to France as a teenager, there was so much to explore and discover and it was so different from where I grew up. I also love seeing “old world” and “new world” existing at the same time. I try to draw on this for Matsuda.

How do you keep track of original material, sketches from Mitsuhiro or old products from Matsuda in the company?
We have an incredible archive of original sketches, clothing, eyewear, accessories and lookbooks that we have built over the past 10 years. We are constantly using these for inspiration. As you know, our Heritage Collection features products that we’ve resurrected from the archives that have been re-released in limited quantities.

What are the aspects of the Matsuda brand that inspire you the most?
Matsuda has always celebrated artists and artistry. From the product design, to the craftsmen producing each frame, to the way the campaigns are created – each artist plays an important role in what we do. We will always love and celebrate the work of artists.

You’ve worked as sales manager for Cartier and have some good knowledge about the luxury segment. What are the biggest changes in luxury that you’ve witnessed in the last decade?
Luxury brands have to be great storytellers today – it is what consumers are drawn to. Of course the quality and design of the product are still the most important, but now more than ever consumers want to connect with brands and feel like they are a part of them. There are a lot of great luxury brands out there today, which is very inspiring – but we just put on blinders and focus on staying true to our vision.

Design keeps evolving as well. One of the big movements in the past was a tendency towards less and less details. Yet Matsuda feels so fresh precisely because it has lots of filigree, metal work and “old world details” …
I think that consumers are tired of the monotony of the new ubiquitous brands that keep popping up. I think that you can still appreciate and respect minimalism and pair it with interesting details that give brands like Matsuda a unique personality. Once again though, we haven’t really shifted our vision to fit the current state of trends – this is just who we are and what we enjoy doing.

What was the most important lesson you learned with Matsuda in the past ten years?
We are always looking for new manufacturing processes that will allow us to push the boundaries of design and eyewear even further. I love seeing how all of these new technologies are evolving and becoming more accessible. That being said, craftsmen are an integral part of our company and we will not be abandoning them for machines any time soon…

One great aspect in your endeavor to revitalize the brand was getting parts of the original Matsuda team together. Is that still the case today?
We still have many of the original team members on board and are fortunate to have so much experience and history in the company.

Fashion and art were inseparable for Mitsuhiro Matsuda. Do you think that statement still holds true today?
I can easily say that this perspective and tendency continues one hundred percent. In my opinion fashion is art and is the perfect vehicle for self-expression.

Campaigns were an extremely strong side of the Matsuda heritage. You’ve continued this tradition very well. How do you manage to stay cutting-edge as a brand?
We just like to push boundaries and create beautiful images for our campaigns. Our campaigns are not commercial at all. We never approach them from a commercial point of view, but rather as an art project. At that point, it’s more about creating something that interests us. I think by staying true to what we love we are able to create images that people connect with and help tell a story.

With a decade since you took over Matsuda, what’s a meaningful trend in eyewear that you’ve been able to watch over that timeframe?
Wow, where to begin… I feel like the industry is constantly changing. The change that stands out to me the most is the rise of the independent brands and the amazing level of creativity that exists today. In the last decade both the retail partners and the consumers have fallen in love with independent brands again.

We’ve talked at length about the vision of Mitsuhiro and the brand. But where do you personally find inspiration in your life today?
I would like to say that from everywhere, as cliched as that sounds. Travel, art, fashion, and music are my biggest sources of inspiration. I just like to have fun and create interesting things.

Source: Favrspecs

April 2023

Hi Patricia, Gigi Studios is one of the up-and-coming young fashion brands in the eyewear universe. We would like to hear about how you got started in the sector.
It started when my grandfather created an eyewear factory in Barcelona, back in the 1960s. Then my father, Luis Ramo, carried on his legacy. I inherited my passion for a well-made product from him. I started working in my father’s company when I was 21 and I quickly became hooked on this world.

How did the family values carry over into your brand?
From the very beginning, the aim has been to create a global brand with a constant commitment to improvement. Over the years, professionals from the optical sector wanted to join Gigi Studios. So today, our team includes over 100 people who work up to the highest standards in a creative, young, and international setting.

What distinguishes Gigi Studios from other brands?
I felt that the industry needed a fresh designer brand with high attention to detail and, most of all, one based in fashion. For this purpose, I brought Gigi Studios to this day. I believe that at this point, we are meeting this need more than enough.

What was the reason for changing your brand name to Gigi Studio?
“Gigi” is the name I was called by part of my family when I was a child. And “Studios” comes from a rebranding we did in 2019. We loved the idea of evolving the name of the brand to “Gigi Studios” because we felt that it endowed the brand with an artistic and art studio character. At the same, it provided a more international approach.

You mentioned the studio character. How would you describe the philosophy behind your brand?
Eclectic, avant-garde, traditional, and innovative. We are an independent company with head offices in Barcelona that merges design and creativity with craftsmanship. A free, pluralistic view of fashion that promotes people’s unique identity.

Describing yourself as traditional and innovative at the same time seems like a contradiction. At the end of the day, which aspect is stronger?
Both! I’m the third generation of a family that has always been surrounded by eyewear. This heritage is so important to me. Craftsmanship is our essence and I think it’s also where our modernity lies. I think craft will always be relevant.

You already mentioned your Barcelona heritage. The city seems to be a true melting pot for eyewear. Why do so many eyewear fashion brands originate here?
Barcelona has been a reference in terms of design for many decades now. Today, it’s home to plenty of fashion brands and artists. And the same is happening in the eyewear field.

To what extent does this creative environment influence your eyewear designs?
This environment is a constant inspiration for me and it’s great to have independent brands around us. But the underlying inspiration comes from all around the world and from many different disciplines – including fashion and street trends, artistic movements, also from past decades.

What characterizes the design of Gigi Studios frames?
I would say what characterizes our design the most is our unique metal collection. We were one of the first brands that made a bet on metal at a moment when everyone was focused on acetate. So, we offered the market a trendy and special collection, both in stainless steel and beta-titanium. Nowadays we maintain a very good metal collection but the designs we execute in acetate have a very distinctive approach. That’s due to the way we work with angles and volumes in special constructions.

What would you like to say about your sunglasses collection?
I believe we have one of the most interesting sunglasses collections in the market at the moment. We have a fresh, trendy collection that is desirable for a wide range of consumers.

And the optical collection?
We are slightly more exaggerated in the intention of the sunglass designs compared to our optical styles. But we always maintain a coherence and transversality of the underlying concepts. Plus, we’re always looking to express our unique vision of fashion.

You currently have five collections Vanguard, Icons, Men, XS and Lab. Can you tell us about the characteristics of these collections?
Vanguard is our most emblematic collection. We describe it as the top expression of fashion, modernity, and sophistication. It includes optical and sun designs for women. Men is our collection that offers contemporary designs for men. Optical and sun models in bigger sizes. The Icons collection is characterized by timeless shapes and iconic designs. It’s a genderless collection, also with optical and sun designs. Our Lab collection is inspired by technology and fashion. It comes from experimentation with new materials and technological advances. The subtlety of the designs and the extreme lightness define the collection. Some designs can be called genderless, others more feminine. Finally, the* collection XS* takes up our Dna and applies it to designs for slim faces.

You also like to launch capsule collections and special concepts. What’s currently in the pipeline?
The latest ones were our capsule collection in May and a special Vanguard Collection with a new design concept in June. Besides that, we are working in partnership with brands which I personally like and respect, in order to develop new models together. Stay tuned, many surprises coming in this area.

Source: Favrspecs

March 2023

Hello Hajime, when and where did Minamoto’s journey begin?
It all started at the end of 2019, with a conversation with EU management about how we could improve market recognition for our company. When I was working in Europe, I heard some comments from our customers—that they weren’t aware that our company is Japanese. So, our initial discussion was to bring that “Sense of Japan” into the product for European people.

What is the brand name all about? Does the term have a deeper meaning?
Minamoto means “Origin”. Our team chose Minamoto as our brand name because we wanted more people to know about the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship and the roots of our company.

This meaning is also evident in your calligraphic logo…
Yes, our logo is expressed in a single Kanji character referring to the source, the origin of water. The logo represents our hope that our Japanese products will be accepted and loved by Europeans, just as a small spring becomes a river and, after a long distance, eventually pours into the sea and mixes with it.

Could you tell us about Minamoto’s Dna and philosophy?
It can be described with two words: Zen and Craftsmanship. The word Zen has a broad meaning, but in terms of what Zen means to Minamoto, it’s about eliminating what is unnecessary and maximizing its value. To express what Zen means in Minamoto’s designs, we can give the example of a single flower vase. The eye should be focused on that single flower, which is selected with the utmost care so the viewer can experience the beauty of the flower to its fullest extent. Craftsmanship isn’t just about the technical aspect of manufacturing eyewear, but also to the attitude of the person—approaching manufacturing critically to make things better. Craftsmanship is therefore one of the core principles of our brand.

Japanese brands are known for their attention to detail. Is meticulous attention to detail a priority for you as Minamoto?
At Minamoto, we are strongly committed to the traditional Japanese way of making eyewear, so we pay close attention to every detail in the creation process. We focus on the longevity of our products and try not to overlook any detail. We avoid showing hinges and screws clearly and avoid using plastic nose pads and temple tips.

It’s not surprising that you specialize in titanium. What speaks for this material?
Light, Durable, Hypoallergenic, chemically stable titanium is the best material for eyewear. And titanium is also a part of our origin, so it is a perfect match to our brand.

Could you tell us about your future goals as Minamoto?
I would like to increase the number of Minamoto fans even more. I will continue to work hard to showcase our craftsmanship to make the brand better, because craftsmanship is a journey that requires constant learning.

Source: Spectr

February 2023