Persol feature a distinctively refined look and fine-profile squared shape. Flex/spring hinges and Meflecto temples ensures exceptional comfort. Fitted with polarized grey/green glass lenses that minimize glare and provide 100% UV protection from the sun's rays.
So a while ago, I started keeping track of brands of eyeglasses that I was potentially interested in. I was looking for something higher quality, and also not owned by Luxottica. I figure I should share my list so that others can benefit from it and contribute more. My criteria was that they not be owned by (http://www.luxottica.com/en/eyewear-brands) or (http://us.marcolin.com/brands/) (another lesser-known eyeglass conglomerate), and have frames that can be fitted for prescription lenses. Most of these are pretty high-end brands. Some may be pretty difficult to find.
Please, let me know if there's any brands you think I should add, or if you think any of the brands on here don't qualify as "independent."
* (https://www.ahlemeyewear.com/) - Brand based in LA with frames hand made in France. Branded stores in California, with authorized retailers worldwide and online ordering available.
* (http://www.andy-wolf.com/en/) - Hand-made frames from Austria. Resellers located worldwide. Not available for direct online ordering.
* (https://anneetvalentin.com/en) - Made in France. Colorful frames with playful shapes. Flagship stores in Paris and NYC, with authorized dealers worldwide. No direct online ordering
* (http://www.ayame-id.jp/) - Japanese brand with mostly subdued frame shapes. Retailers in Japan and Hong Kong. No direct online ordering available.
* (https://baileynelson.com.au/) - Australian maker, with retail locations across Australia. Online ordering only avaialble in Australia.
* (https://www.bevelspecs.com/) - USA-based, sells through authorized retailers with locations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
* (http://www.blakekuwahara.com/) - LA based designer with bold, thick frames. Sold via authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.blyszak.com/collections/signature) - British. Slightly less expensive buffalo horn frames (450 GBP). Same deal as Rigards. They also have mixed buffalo & metal, or just metal, for less expensive prices.
* (https://www2.bonlook.com/) - Retail locations in Canada, with online ordering to US and Canada and international shipping available
* (http://www.boothandbruce.com/) - English maker specializing in "funky" frames. Sells through authorized retailers, mostly located in Europe.
* (https://cameron-james-co.myshopify.com/) - New Australian eyewear maker. Materials are buffalo horn ($150-$200), and wood ($70). I bought some buffalo horn sunglasses from him earlier this year and I've been pleased with them. If you don't like the styles on the website, look through his Instagram and he'll be happy to make you an older style. He also runs an etsy shop under the same name.
* (http://www.chromehearts.com/) - Luxury label associated with bikers, using precious metals. Said to be one of the most expensive brands of eyeglasses in the world. Difficult to find, as authorized retailers are not allowed to sell online. Only a handful of retailers in the US, Asia, and Europe.
* (http://www.clairegoldsmith.com/) - Modern branch of Oliver Goldsmith. Sells through authorized resellers worldwide. Online ordering available through resellers.
* (https://www.cubitts.co.uk/) - Based in London, offering genuine horn frames, custom designs, and bespoke service. Retail presence in the UK only. International shipping available.
* (https://www.cutlerandgross.com/) - British luxury eyewear brand. Retail locations and resellers in UK and US, with international online ordering available.
* (https://dita.com/en-us/) - Based out of LA, with limited retail locations worldwide and online ordering within the US
* (https://drifteyewear.myshopify.com/) - Based in Chicago. Frames made of wood and acetate. Resellers primarily in US and Canada. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.etniabarcelona.com/) - Based in Bercelona and known for colorful designs, with authorized resellers worldwide
* (https://www.eyebuydirect.com/) - Specializes in inexpensive prescription eyewear online, based in the US. International shipping available.
* (https://www.fhone.com/) - German brand by the creators of Freudenhaus. Retail shops in Germany. Resellers across Europe and the US. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.gold-and-wood.com/) - Luxury eyewear brand based in Luxembourg. Specializes in materials like buffalo horn and wood. Sells through authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (http://hankjobenhavn.com/) - Bold sunglass designs. Based in Denmark with retailers in Denmark, and online ordering (Denmark only?). Online resellers may ship outside of dk.
* (http://www.harrylarys.com/) - Metal and acetate frames, dubbed "retro futurist." Hand-made in France. Sold through resellers worldwide. No direct online ordering available.
* (https://www.henaueyewear.com/en/) - Belgian brand with hand-made frames in bold colors and unusual shapes. Sells through resellers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (http://www.ic-berlin.de/en_GB) - Brand based in Berlin with mostly minimalist designs and distinctive silhouettes. Sells through reselllers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.italiaindependent.com/us_en/) - Italian based with a number of retailers across Europe, with a limited number outside of Europe. Online ordering / international shipping available.
* (https://jacquesmariemage.com/home/) - Based in Hollywood, focusing on small batch production. Authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online ordering.
* (https://www.jins.com/us/) - Founded in Japan and expanding to the US, offering inexpensive frame/lens combos in mostly traditional styles with features like blue light reduction. Available in Japan and online within the US. Retail locations in the US, Japan and China.
* (http://juliustartoptical.com/index.html) - Japanese brand, with a limited selection of thick rim styles. Retail locations in Japan only. No direct online ordering.
* (https://www.kaenon.com/) - Prescription sunglasses designed for sports. US-based with online ordering.
* (https://www.kaibosh.com/) - Norwegian brand with retail stores in Norway, with online worldwide shipping available
* (https://www.kaleoseyehunters.com/en/) - Acetate and metal frames in distinctive shapes. Authorized resellers worldwide, although a limited number in the US. No direct online ordering.
* (http://www.kaneko-optical.co.jp/e...index.html) - Japanese brand with sub-brands like Kaneko Gankyo, Spivvy, Craftsman Series, and Issey Miyake Eyes. Retail locations in Japan only.
* (http://www.karmoie.com/concept/article/news) - Based in Oslo. Sells through retail locations, mostly throughout Norway, with a limited presence outside of the EU. No direct online ordering.
* (https://www.kirkandkirk.com/) - London based maker, with thick, colorful frames. Also allows customization of animal medallions that appear at the temple on certain models. Online ordering worldwide.
* (https://www.krewe.com/) - Stores in New Orleans, Dallas, and New York with US/International shipping available online
* (http://www.kuboraum.com/kubo_index.php) - German company. Again, very expensive (~$400-$800), numerous collaborations with high end fashion designers. Acetate frames.
* (http://kyotoeyewear.com/index.htm) - Japanese company that is parent brand of Ptolemy 48, AugustoValentiniDesign, Masaki Matushima, Ken Akuyama, and Waza. Very limited retail presence outside of Japan.
* (https://www.lgrworld.com/) - Eyeglass designs said to be inspired by Africa, with handmade frames from Italy. Direct online ordering worldwide.
* (http://www.laeyeworks.com/) - Based in LA, specializing in bold, colorful frames with adventurous patterns. Offers direct online sales in the US only.
* (https://www.lafont.com/index/) - Based in France. Minimalist frames aiming for Parisian chic. Retail stores in France. No direct online sales.
* (http://leisure-society.com/) - Luxury brand with understated designs using premium materials and precious metal accents. Ships worldwide and sells via authorized resellers.
* (https://us.lindafarrow.com/) - Specializes in avante garde styles and collaborations with designers like Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, and 3.1 Philip Lim, using luxury materials. Direct online ordering available worldwide.
* (https://lindberg.com/) - Danish designer that specializes in subtle but unique designs which are somewhat understated, with unique touches like unusual hinge designs. Sold through authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online purchase available.
* (http://www.masunaga1905.com/en/) - Japanese brand with wide variety of designs leaning toward the somewhat retro. Retail prescence in Japan only. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.matsudaeyewear.com/) - Japanese brand with designs that are typically understated, hand-constructed, often featuring details like engraving. Also has a line featuring precious metals such as sterling silver and gold. Resellers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.mauijim.com/) - Sunglass maker based in Hawaii, once acquired by Luxottica, but has since spun back off into its own independent brand. Large retail presence worldwide. Direct online ordering available in US and Europe.
* (http://morel-france.com/) - French eyeglasses group that manages brands Oga, Lightec, Marius Morel, Rebel, and Nomad. Sells via authorized resllers. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.morgenthalfrederics.com/) - Luxury brand based out of New York City. High priced frames hand made from premium materials. Limited number of retail stores located within the US. Online ordering by direct inquiry only.
* (https://mykita.com/en) - Premium brand from Germany focusing on minimalist designs. Direct online ordering available in the US and Europe.
* (http://nackymade.com/pages/?lang=en) - Full bespoke handmade frames from Japan. Trunk shows and fittings available at a limited number of locations in USA, Europe, and Japan.
* (http://ovvooptics.com/) - Handmade glasses produced in Germany and Poland with futuristic designs. Sells via authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.owndays.com/sg/en/) - Japanese brand, retail locations across Asia, and some in The Netherlands and Australia.
* (https://pennavenueeyewear.com/) - Prices finally come down from the stratosphere. Acetate, metal, and buffalo horn frames. $60-$70 starting point for acetate and metal frames, $250 for buffalo horn.
* (https://reptilesun.com/) - Maker of sunglasses based in Dallas. Distributes products throughout North America via authorized resellers. Online sales available in North America.
* (https://www.rigards.com/) - Really, really expensive buffalo horn frames (~$400-$1,000 I think) by a Korean and French duo. They collaborate with a lot of obscure, high end fashion designers. Phenomenal quality from what I hear. They make primarily sunglasses, but they can be fitted with prescription lenses. The shop you take it to has to know how to work with buffalo though.
* (http://www.theo.be/en) - Belgian brand offering fun designs. Sells via authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online ordering.
* (http://www.tdtomdavies.com/) - Based in the UK. Offers bespoke and RTW glasses. Sells via stores in the UK and resellers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.topologyeyewear.com/) - Based in San Francisco, offering custom glasses generated through a phone app. USA-only currently.
* (https://www.tresnoir.com/) - Based in California. Specializes in affordable lenses/frames. Online ordering worldwide.
* (https://eu.shopviu.com/en/) - Glasses made in Zurich with home try-on available in Europe. Branded stores and authorized retailers in Europe only.
* (https://www.warbyparker.com/) - Originally online-based, but now has several showrooms in major US cities. Inexpensive (glasses + frames for $100) mostly acetate frames in generally "hipster-ish" styles. Offers home try-on kits.
* (https://www.wileyx.com/) - Specializes in protective eyewear for military, law enforcement, and civilian use. Highly durable lenses. Sells online to US and Canada. Authorized resellers worldwide.
* (https://www.zealoptics.com/) - Based in Boulder, CO, focusing on sporting friendly sunglasses. Also does prescription ski goggles. Ships to US or Canada or sells through authorized resellers.
FWIW, "handmade" means imperfections. Nothing worthy of being considered defective, but you may need to take these to an optician to have them make adjustments. I've owned several Persol sunglasses over the years, and once they're adjusted, they're amazing.
99.9% of people should run away from lenses made of glass. Super heavy and shatter-prone relative to others.
The benefits of lenses that don't scratch easily, and clarity, outweigh the extra little bit of weight. Granted, you wouldn't want to use glass for sports-related activities or where the added weight would be detrimental to the activity, but I LOVE glass lenses.
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A list of independent eyeglass makers
So a while ago, I started keeping track of brands of eyeglasses that I was potentially interested in. I was looking for something higher quality, and also not owned by Luxottica. I figure I should share my list so that others can benefit from it and contribute more. My criteria was that they not be owned by (http://www.luxottica.c
Please, let me know if there's any brands you think I should add, or if you think any of the brands on here don't qualify as "independent."
* (http://www.fournines.c
* (https://9five.com/) - US-based, online ordering. Frames in a very "bling" style featuring 24k gold plating on many models.
* (https://www.aceandtate.
* (https://www.ahlemeyewea
* (http://www.andy-wolf.com/en/) - Hand-made frames from Austria. Resellers located worldwide. Not available for direct online ordering.
* (http://angloamericanop
* (https://anneetvalentin.
* (http://www.ayame-id.jp/) - Japanese brand with mostly subdued frame shapes. Retailers in Japan and Hong Kong. No direct online ordering available.
* (https://baileynelson.co
* (http://www.bartonperre
* (https://www.bevelspecs.
* (http://www.blakekuwaha
* (https://www.blyszak.com/collections/signature) - British. Slightly less expensive buffalo horn frames (450 GBP). Same deal as Rigards. They also have mixed buffalo & metal, or just metal, for less expensive prices.
* (https://www2.bonlook.co
* (http://www.boothandbru
* (https://cameron-james-co.myshopify.co
* (http://www.chromeheart
* (http://www.clairegolds
* (https://www.cubitts.co.
* (https://www.cutlerandgr
* (https://dita.com/en-us/) - Based out of LA, with limited retail locations worldwide and online ordering within the US
* (https://drifteyewear.my
* (https://www.etniabarcel
* (https://www.eyebuydirec
* (http://eyevan7285.com/en/) - Brand based in Japan, with authorized resllers worldwide.
* (http://www.faceaface-paris.com/?lang=en) - Paris-based brand, sells through authorized resellers primarily located in Europe. No direct online ordering.
* (https://www.fhone.com/) - German brand by the creators of Freudenhaus. Retail shops in Germany. Resellers across Europe and the US. No direct online sales.
* (http://www.freudenhaus
* (http://www.garrettleig
* (http://glassfactory-shop.jp/) - Japanese brand. Retail locations in Japan and online ordering in Japan only.
* (https://www.gold-and-wood.com/) - Luxury eyewear brand based in Luxembourg. Specializes in materials like buffalo horn and wood. Sells through authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (http://hankjobenhavn.c
* (http://www.harrylarys.
* (https://www.henaueyewea
* (http://www.ic-berlin.de/en_GB) - Brand based in Berlin with mostly minimalist designs and distinctive silhouettes. Sells through reselllers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.italiaindep
* (https://jacquesmariemag
* (https://www.jins.com/us/) - Founded in Japan and expanding to the US, offering inexpensive frame/lens combos in mostly traditional styles with features like blue light reduction. Available in Japan and online within the US. Retail locations in the US, Japan and China.
* (http://juliustartoptic
* (https://www.kaenon.com/) - Prescription sunglasses designed for sports. US-based with online ordering.
* (https://www.kaibosh.com/) - Norwegian brand with retail stores in Norway, with online worldwide shipping available
* (http://www.kalaeyewear
* (https://www.kaleoseyehu
* (http://www.kaneko-optical.co.jp/e...index.html) - Japanese brand with sub-brands like Kaneko Gankyo, Spivvy, Craftsman Series, and Issey Miyake Eyes. Retail locations in Japan only.
* (http://www.karmoie.com/concept/article/news) - Based in Oslo. Sells through retail locations, mostly throughout Norway, with a limited presence outside of the EU. No direct online ordering.
* (https://www.kirkandkirk
* (https://www.krewe.com/) - Stores in New Orleans, Dallas, and New York with US/International shipping available online
* (http://www.kuboraum.co
* (http://kyotoeyewear.co
* (https://www.lgrworld.co
* (http://www.laeyeworks.
* (https://www.lafont.com/index/) - Based in France. Minimalist frames aiming for Parisian chic. Retail stores in France. No direct online sales.
* (http://leisure-society.com/) - Luxury brand with understated designs using premium materials and precious metal accents. Ships worldwide and sells via authorized resellers.
* (https://us.lindafarrow.
* (https://lindberg.com/) - Danish designer that specializes in subtle but unique designs which are somewhat understated, with unique touches like unusual hinge designs. Sold through authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online purchase available.
* (http://www.masunaga190
* (https://www.matsudaeyew
* (https://www.mauijim.com/) - Sunglass maker based in Hawaii, once acquired by Luxottica, but has since spun back off into its own independent brand. Large retail presence worldwide. Direct online ordering available in US and Europe.
* (http://www.maxpittion.
* (http://www.monoceros.c
* (http://morel-france.com/) - French eyeglasses group that manages brands Oga, Lightec, Marius Morel, Rebel, and Nomad. Sells via authorized resllers. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.morgenthalf
* (https://moscot.com/) -
* (https://mykita.com/en) - Premium brand from Germany focusing on minimalist designs. Direct online ordering available in the US and Europe.
* (http://nackymade.com/pages/?lang=en) - Full bespoke handmade frames from Japan. Trunk shows and fittings available at a limited number of locations in USA, Europe, and Japan.
* (http://nativesons-eyewear.com/) -
* (http://oandxnewyork.co
* (http://www.olivergolds
* (https://orgreenoptics.c
* (http://www.oscarwylee.
* (http://ovvooptics.com/) - Handmade glasses produced in Germany and Poland with futuristic designs. Sells via authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online sales.
* (https://www.owndays.com/sg/en/) - Japanese brand, retail locations across Asia, and some in The Netherlands and Australia.
* (https://pennavenueeyewe
* (http://www.prodesignde
* (https://raen.com/) - US-based with online ordering and limited retail locations in the US. International shipping available
* (http://www.reiz.net/en/) -
* (https://reptilesun.com/) - Maker of sunglasses based in Dallas. Distributes products throughout North America via authorized resellers. Online sales available in North America.
* (http://retrosuperfutur
* (https://www.rigards.com/) - Really, really expensive buffalo horn frames (~$400-$1,000 I think) by a Korean and French duo. They collaborate with a lot of obscure, high end fashion designers. Phenomenal quality from what I hear. They make primarily sunglasses, but they can be fitted with prescription lenses. The shop you take it to has to know how to work with buffalo though.
* (http://www.rolf-spectacles.com/en) -
* (http://www.rudyproject
* (https://www.saltoptics.
* (http://schnuchel.com/) - Handmade frames from Germany. Online resellers ship to US, Europe, and Asia
* (http://www.serengeti-eyewear.com/...lang=en-US) -
* (http://www.shuron.com/) -
* (http://www.silhouette.
* (http://www.spektresung
* (http://www.spyoptic.co
* (https://sundaysomewhere
* (https://www.tavat-eyewear.com/) - Based in France. Sells via authorized resellers. No direct online sales.
* (http://www.thebespoked
* (http://www.theo.be/en) - Belgian brand offering fun designs. Sells via authorized resellers worldwide. No direct online ordering.
* (http://www.tdtomdavies
* (https://www.topologyeye
* (https://www.tresnoir.co
* (https://vinylize.com/) -
* (https://eu.shopviu.com/en/) - Glasses made in Zurich with home try-on available in Europe. Branded stores and authorized retailers in Europe only.
* (https://www.warbyparker
* (https://www.wileyx.com/) - Specializes in protective eyewear for military, law enforcement, and civilian use. Highly durable lenses. Sells online to US and Canada. Authorized resellers worldwide.
* (http://www.yellowsplus
* (https://www.zealoptics.
* (http://www.zenbarcelon
* (http://www.zennioptica
Honorable mention to Randolph Engineering and American Optical, both independent makers of aviator-style sunglasses, but not available in Rx.
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It's not who is owned by luxutica, that people wonder about, it's who isn't
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Nope.. they sell B stock or discontinued models. No fakes.
Serengeti
My experience has been the opposite.
The benefits of lenses that don't scratch easily, and clarity, outweigh the extra little bit of weight. Granted, you wouldn't want to use glass for sports-related activities or where the added weight would be detrimental to the activity, but I LOVE glass lenses.
If these were the grey framed ones in this style, I'd be all over this deal...even though Persol is owned by Lux.