Three London Brands

THREE LONDON BRANDS

BRITISH ELEGANCE

We take a closer look at the London-based eyewear brands that have gained global fame for their understated and timeless luxury designs, as well as their dedication to excellence.

The history of British opticians goes back centuries, but glasses as a fashion in England started to take by storm in the second half of the 20th century. British brands emerge as global brands with multiple aspects. Sold all over the world, these brands not only export British fashion internationally but also offer a uniquely British flair to fashion-conscious customers from the United States to Japan. But to put it more directly, British eyeglasses are the product of technology and techniques sourced far beyond their shores. Top brands proudly combine local knowledge and craftsmanship of Italian, French, German and Japanese optical traditions with their own local English expertise and unique designs.
Moreover, world-famous names do not only use British eyewear brands, but also build their images on these brands. For example, it is impossible to imagine Elton John without one of the more than three hundred Cutler & Gross frames in his collection. Similarly, British brands feature heavily on the red carpet, movie sets and music videos. You ask why? Because British eyewear and British eyewear brands represent a privileged stance and style. Whether it’s Ted Baker’s unique bespoke frames, Kirk & Kirk’s bold and colorful designs, or Hackett London’s classic British style, the best British eyewear brands not only help us see better, but they are also the way their wearers express themselves. they become. Now let’s take a closer look at three of the British eyewear brands based in London.

COMFORT, STYLE, AND FUNCTION
COME TOGETHER IN TOM DAVIES

Focusing on personalization, customer service and bespoke designs, Tom Davies offers discerning clients the perfect fit, style, and technical excellence they crave. Davies founded his brand in 2002 with the principle that our faces are not standard, and therefore our glasses should not be. This attitude has shaped the evolution of the eyewear brand and has made it the UK’s go-to brand for top quality bespoke eyewear. Tom Davies collections consist of frames and glass custom-made in their factory in London to provide an ideal experience for every customer. When it comes to eyewear, Tom Davies is driven by the notion that good design can make a big difference in comfort, style, and function, which is why every frame is made individually to fit the wearer’s nose, head shape and ears. This dedication to excellence is crafted with love for timeless yet striking designs that include the highest quality titanium, acetate, silver, gold, and natural horn, as well as several custom-made materials. These designs have captured the attention of celebrities, fashionistas and film directors, and Tom Davies has appeared in blockbusters such as Matrix Resurrections and Cruella, as well as gaining a loyal international following.

WILLIAM MORRIS
IS COMMITTED AND BRAVE

When it comes to British eyewear brands, William Morris London is one of the brands that cannot be ignored. Founded by Robert Morris in 1996 as an essentially British brand, William Morris London develops striking eyewear collections with a creative, colorful and essentially British feel inspired by the streets of London. In addition, William Morris not only manufactures its frames from the highest quality materials, but also uses new generation bio acetates and German-engineered spring hinges in its new collections. As might be expected, William Morris’ bold style, philosophy, and dedication to quality soon won the favor of fashionistas globally. As the brand has grown, so has its selection and range of bold and modern styles. Today, William Morris London expands its collections as a brand that operates and distributes in more than fifty countries and promotes British design and fashion internationally.

UNDERSTATED LUXURY WITH HACKETT LONDON

Although its focus is much broader than creating eyeglasses collections, Hackett London is making a name for itself as a high-end bespoke eyewear brand. The world-renowned lifestyle brand focuses on classic high-end British style in its eyeglasses, as in its other products. This means a wide range of retro-inspired yet timeless designs that can be used comfortably in board meetings as well as on the golf course. While many British eyewear brands have turned to the value of artistic self-expression, Hackett London offers its wearers a different kind of expression and stance. Their understated, luxury-focused designs aim to evoke a sense of exclusivity that is completely independent of today’s fashion trends. This approach of the British brand and the uncompromising quality of its products make them the eyewear brand of choice for high-end customers both in the UK and around the world. As one of the brands that best reflects the British design line and elegance, it continues to win the admiration of fashion lovers.

Source: Favrspecs

January 2023

Metropolitan Eyewear

URBAN AND CHARMING

Metropolitan, the independent German eyewear brand, adds four new models in the new year to its designs that emphasize the individuality and natural charm of the wearer.

German eyewear label Metropolitan draws on a stylish past to imagine the future of optical style. Inspired by the Bauhaus movement and 1920s art cinema, the independent brand has been pushing minimalist styles to an international audience since 2011. The Metropolitan Eyewear design Dna is best described as clear lines and an authentic look with an urban aesthetic. And thanks to more than 70 years of manufacturing expertise at parent company Owp Brillen, the vibrant designs offer premium finishes and long-lasting quality.

Origins of the brand name…
Looking for the inspiration behind the Metropolitan name, prepare to go all the way back to the year 1927. That’s when German director Fritz Lang premiered the cinematic masterpiece ‘Metropolitan’ as a groundbreaking and visionary masterpiece. Set in the futuristic city called Metropolis, with obvious overtones of New York City, the movie has become a timeless classic as one of the first milestones of science-fiction storytelling. And timeless style and storytelling perfectly fit with Metropolitan Eyewear’s fundamental vision and Dna.

Sources of inspiration
Metropolitan Eyewear is marked by vibrant designs that underline the wearer’s individuality and natural charms. The secret to making each design unique and fresh lies in taking its inspirations beyond the world of eyewear. In 2019, the brand presented a collection dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus art movement. The collection offered a powerful mix of materials and eyewear shapes. Highlights included a frame modeled after one of the most iconic furniture designs of all time; the Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer. As a result, the retro-futuristic and streamlined models in the Special Edition Inspired by Bauhaus became instant classics in their own right.

Choises of advanced materials
From its very first years, Metropolitan managed to dazzle consumers by skillfully using metal as the main material for its frames. Especially thin and lightweight stainless steel that emphasized classic, but on-trend frame designs with an oversized look. Over the years, Metropolitan expanded into acetate frames and other material compounds. Regardless of the material, the finish is always premium and unique. As in the case of applying special coloring methods, taking advantage of the brand’s unique manufacturing expertise.  Standouts include 1950s-inspired colorways like pure ice blue, understated rose to classic black. In terms of shapes, Metropolitan favors a wide range, including classic round, square, oversized cat’s eye and aviator forms.

New models in the new year…
Metropolitan Eyewear launches four new models in the new year. The Metropolitan model 8111 is cool, purist and sophisticated. The expressive close-fitting square shape, entirely in block titanium, leaves conventions to one side and is clearly aimed at free spirits and mavericks. The simple statement is reflected in the design which plays with different rim thicknesses, combined with titanium frames with direct support. Available in four masculine color combos from clean solid colors to color gradients. The Metropolitan model 8277 is clearly one of this season’s statement pieces. With an abundance of facets, the feminine acetate frame creates an expressive effect, and is clearly aimed at individualists who celebrate the trend towards more materials with confident, casual taste. The colorways range from clean solid colors to structured colors through to color gradients. Round, geometric and stylish: Metropolitan model 8278 for women keeps the fashion factor high and is clearly aligned with the style icons of the big city. Handmade acetate, a modeled eye rim with facets on the reverse side as well as casual color variations give this statement piece its unmistakable look. Available in four colorways from clean solid colors to structured colors through to color gradients. The fourth model, 8279, which Metropolitan Eyewear launched in the new year, is handmade from acetate in a round shape for men who prefer urban looks. Model can create an informal, intellectual, rebellious or casual look. Typically pared-back aesthetics, clear shapes and subtle details such as different rim thicknesses and a spring hinge come together with clean color concepts in this small, round retro model.

Source: Favrspecs

February  2023