Etnia Barcelona sees the world as a shared space for all humankind. It freely celebrates humanity and the differences of personality through colors in its collections.
The story of Etnia Barcelona is not just that of a brand but of a passion passed down through three generations. What began in the 1950s in a small workshop in Barcelona evolved into a family tradition that fused craftsmanship with the art of eyewear production. David’s grandfather was among Spain’s first quality-oriented eyewear manufacturers. From an early age, he learned through his grandfather and father that quality-oriented approach is an indispensable value for this profession by seeing the eyeglasses production, materials and design subtleties on site. Born in 1978, David Pellicer began working in the family business professionally at 17, joining the sales department. During the time he was working in the family business, he was using his knowledge, passion for eyewear and entrepreneurial spirit to develop the project of a brand that would make a difference in the global optical industry and easily differentiate itself from the others. Even in his early twenties, he could clearly see what the industry lacked and what people needed. His future brand would be founded on a philosophy of “independence, humanity, and respect for ethnic and cultural diversity.”
The Birth of Etnia Barcelona
Etnia Barcelona was founded in 2001 by 23-year-old David Pellicer. Redefining the family’s manufacturing legacy through creativity, he named the brand “Etnia” in tribute to his respect for ethnic and cultural diversity, and “Barcelona” as a reflection of the city that inspired him. Where colors, cultures, and creativity intersected, Etnia Barcelona began as a small venture. With only one sales representative, a customer-service assistant, and a warehouse manager, David gradually built a team of designers and artists who would push creative boundaries and give the brand its distinctive identity. In 2003, Etnia Barcelona launched Originals, a collection that broke with convention through its daring color palette and reinterpreted classic forms infused with Mediterranean warmth and spirit. At a time when most eyewear collections came only in dark tones like black, brown, or gray, this debut collection marked a radical departure. Capturing the vibrant energy of Barcelona—a city shaped by ethnic and cultural diversity—it quickly became a success and accelerated the brand’s growth.
From Spain to the 5 Continents: Rapid Expansion
Even while Etnia Barcelona was still in its project phase, David Pellicer envisioned the world as a shared space. This mindset inspired a business model built on the goal of exporting to all five continents and creating a global logistics network. In 2004, Etnia Barcelona made its international debut at Vision Expo New York with the Originals collection, gaining immediate attention. The brand has established distribution agreements in the United States, Canada, France, and Italy with this debut in New York. In 2005, Etnia Barcelona continued exhibiting at major trade fairs in New York, Milan, and Paris, and expanded into the Australian market through the distributor GenOp. Following success in these regions, the brand entered the German market in 2006 and, shortly after, the rest of Europe. David Pellicer, who quickly and successfully opened the doors to the leading markets of the global optical industry with his brand, took a revolutionary step in transforming eyewear into a tool for expression. With this step, decorating faces with yellow, orange or purple frames is no longer just an accessory usage, but a powerful form of expression that blends fashion and art. After years of steady growth, the company decided to strengthen control over its production process by purchasing its first factory in 2010. Two years later, Etnia Barcelona opened its first prototype workshop at its Barcelona headquarters, further elevating its design and manufacturing standards. That same year, the brand has launched its first artist collaboration with renowned Japanese photographer and writer Nobuyoshi Araki, marking the beginning of a new chapter in which art and color became inseparable parts of the brand’s Dna. By 2016, Etnia Barcelona opened another factory to meet growing demand. In 2017, the brand unveiled its first flagship store in the heart of Barcelona—an open invitation to step inside its creative universe. Today, Etnia Barcelona’s production is supported by strategic partners who are global leaders in their fields, giving the brand a powerful competitive edge. Etnia Barcelona continues to grow at a steady 25% annual rate and is now present in over 80 countries and 15,000 points of sale. Nearly 25 years on, the global brand remains true to its original vision: still independent, still directed from Barcelona.
Unique Universe of Etnia Barcelona
Etnia Barcelona’s designs bear the unmistakable imprint of its city—its architecture, its sea, its sun, its art, and its cultural diversity. The lives and works of Spanish and international artists, historic events, and strong personalities from across time all serve as vital sources of inspiration. The organic forms of architect Antoni Gaudí, the Spanish pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement, the colors of Spanish painter Joan Miró and the dreamlike reality of Salvador Dalí have profoundly influenced the brand’s aesthetic. From the 2003 Originals collection to today, Etnia Barcelona’s evolving collections chronicle its creative journey. For 22 years, the brand has remained true to its design independence, adding its bold color language to create countless striking collections. Presenting more than 60 new models each year, it continues to strengthen its global position with standout special editions like Eufluoria, Santa Maria Del Mar, Zebra, Yokohama 24K, Ibiza Volume 4 and 5, along with signature lines such as Bold, UTF, Pellicer, Kids, and Chroma. To mark its 15th anniversary, Etnia Barcelona paid tribute to the Pellicer family’s roots with the Vintage collection, crafted from the original molds once used by David’s grandfather and father. The 20th-anniversary capsule, Heritage, celebrated Etnia Barcelona’s 20-year legacy—one inspired by art, color, culture, and history, and focused on “doing what had never been done before” in the industry.
Dialogue Empowered by Art
For Etnia Barcelona, art is not merely inspiration—it is identity. The brand’s motto #BeAnArtist invites every individual to become the artist of their own life. Etnia Barcelona’s dialogue with art has continued without interruption and only grown stronger. Starting in 2012 with photographer Nobuyoshi Araki, it continued with the 2013 Yves Klein Blue collection, an homage to the French contemporary artist. The collection adapted the famous painter’s signature color “Klein Blue” to acetate glasses. In 2016, the Jean-Michel Basquiat collection made an unprecedented connection between contemporary art and optical design, blending Basquiat’s anarchic strokes with Etnia’s bold color palette. The brand also collaborated with legendary photographer Steve McCurry on the Wild Love in Africa campaign and with Spanish painter Ignasi Monreal on two exceptional joint collections. At Silmo Paris 2025, Etnia Barcelona presented Moi Aussi, a large-scale project featuring 90 artists. Through this exhibition, the brand reaffirmed its message: “Art is dialogue, and we will continue that dialogue.” To give the project a permanent home, Etnia Barcelona purchased and restored a historic church in Venice—transforming it into the Moi Aussi Headquarters and Art Gallery, a symbol of the brand’s commitment to collective creativity.
Responsibility and Etnia Barcelona Foundation
Etnia Barcelona regards environmental awareness as an aesthetic responsibility. Since 2017, it has used 100% natural, cotton-based biodegradable acetate and mineral lenses to reduce plastic waste. Its production facilities operate on renewable energy, and every color pigment comes from natural sources. This philosophy laid the foundation for a new corporate structure in 2022, when David Pellicer founded the Etnia Eyewear Culture Group, bringing together Etnia Barcelona, The Readers, and Allpoets. The group fosters an ecosystem centered on cultural diversity and sustainable production. The Etnia Barcelona Foundation, on the other hand, has established in 2016 to improve access to vision care for those with limited economic means. Its mission is to finance programs that provide full diagnoses and quality prescription glasses while promoting health and education. Under the leadership of David Pellicer, the foundation has carried out numerous projects, proving that Etnia Barcelona acts with respect, empathy, and responsibility toward all people.
Kronoloji:
1950s
The Pellicer family founded its first eyewear workshop in Barcelona.
2001
Etnia Barcelona officially founded by David Pellicer.
2003
Debut collection, Originals, has made a color revolution to the optical industry.
2007
Etnia Barcelona began building a bold, distinctive brand image through provocative campaigns that still define its spirit today.
2013
Etnia Barcelona opened a new office in Montreal to oversee distribution in the U.S. and Canada.
2015
Celebrities such as Rachel Adams, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Cate Blanchett, and Naomi Watts joined the growing list of Etnia Barcelona admirers.
2016
The Etnia Barcelona Foundation was established. Founder and President is David Pellicer.
2017
The brand’s first flagship store opened in Barcelona.
2019
Launch of Etnia Barcelona’s first titanium collection, inspired by Japan’s centuries-old craftsmanship and culture.
2022
Foundation of the Etnia Eyewear Culture Group. The Group units Etnia Barcelona, The Readers and Allpoets brands under the one roof.
2025
The Moi Aussi exhibition presented at Silmo Paris 2025.
October 2025
