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On a recent trip abroad, we realized how important it is to highlight our fellow optical peers and the artistry that so many are producing. We have discovered over the years some incredible shops, not only around the United States but the world, who share our profound love for eyewear and bringing one-of-a-kind pieces to clientele. Like a finely tailored suit, to find distinctively and meticulously constructed eyewear is not as easy to come by. Some have taken this adoration for originality and gone a step further by creating beautifully crafted bespoke eyewear in house. One optician and his small team in Brussels are doing just this, crafting custom-made eyewear filled with passion and expert attention to detail. Ludovic, of Lunetier Ludovic, began his optical journey at the young of seventeen. Without any prior knowledge or family history, he enrolled in opticianry school. Following his graduation, Ludovic spent years working as an optician and later made his way up to Hoet Design’s shop in Brussels. It was during his time here, Ludovic became inspired by the needs of the clientele and saw a lack of customization available to consumers. Although Belgium is known for incredible designers like that of Hoet and Theo Eyewear, Ludovic realized no one was making tailor-made pieces for clients desiring something unique to their personal needs. He promptly began to research and discovered there were master eyewear craftsmen in the Jura region of France who offered a series of training in their workshops. Without hesitation, Ludovic made the journey and fulfilled his studies with these master artisans learning how to skillfully design, measure, and create handcrafted custom frames. At the start of 2015, Ludovic took a leap of faith and began working independently out of his home, making custom buffalo horn and acetate frames. Much to his surprise, the demand was more than he anticipated. With his growing audience grew the specific requests of his clientele. He quickly added wood to his repertoire of mediums, locally sourcing the material from a client working in furniture restoration. With new offerings, not only came more demand but the mastering of Ludovic’s skill. Less than a year later, he felt ready to pursue a dream and left his home workshop to open a brick and mortar in Brussels. He had always dreamt of owning a shop that was different from the rest and was unique in its offerings. The word got out, and his bespoke business was booming. Working daily and many nights, Ludovic struggled to keep up with the demand. However, luck was on his side. Just as he was feeling overwhelmed, Ludovic received a call from an optical student in Paris searching for an internship. Ludovic felt the timing couldn’t have been better and started Dorian as an apprentice. He flourished under the mentorship of Ludovic, and once he had completed his studies, Ludovic offered Dorian a permanent position. Since the success of his first apprentice, Ludovic has taken on an apprentice each year, teaching them the craft of making eyewear. Many have gone on to work for other bespoke shops in Europe. With the continued success that Ludovic has maintained, he added another apprenticing student, Zoe, to his team in 2018. He is currently training his eighth apprentice. Working in-house from his Brussels shop, Ludovic’s process is a multi-step intimate collaboration with his client. The initial design takes around two weeks to complete. He begins with pictures and measurements of the face and a thorough meeting with his client to not only discover their physical requirements but what they dream to wear. Ludovic shines here with his love of working with people and finding inspiration from their desires. He then creates six custom frame designs and constructs cardboard prototypes to the size of the client’s measurements. Once this initial design process is complete, the client will meet with Ludovic to try on and select their choice. After the client has selected, they discuss in detail what material and finishes they want for the final product. When it comes to the details, Ludovic and his team can truly create a work of art unique to the face it’s meant to adorn. In house the client can choose from an array of buffalo horn, acetate, and wood samplings. Those in search of gold and tortoiseshell will pleasantly be satisfied to find those mediums available options as well. After design selection and detailing is decided upon, these materials can be out-sourced to artisans in Holland and France. One can have as intricate a design as desired with the thoroughness that Ludovic embodies when creating. Some previous clients have inlaid metal watch parts and bass guitar strings as embellishment to the temple design. This is truly bespoke eyewear, having a frame made fully inspired by the wearer’s dream and fit. Once production is complete, the client will come in for a final fitting. They will then be able to have an eye test for an updated prescription, and the topic of lens options and features will be thoroughly discussed. The lens selection and mounting being the final step. Say hello to your beautifully crafted one-of-a-kind glasses! The time and skill that goes into the making of bespoke eyewear is a labor of love. Ludovic and his team work to give the wearer a piece they can feel equally passionate about. It is no wonder why his business has continued to grow successfully over the years. With this growth, he has expanded his offerings alongside his custom frame making to include a small hand-selected collection of other independent frame manufacturers and most recently, an in-house collection he created with his team during the Covid pandemic. The Jazz collection gives the client slightly more flexibility in sizing options and materials than conventional brands allow. Another successful key Ludovic has discovered in giving more customization to eyewear. We were left feeling highly inspired and in awe after we visited with Ludovic and his team. Even those not among us eyewear enthusiasts will be impressed and yearning for their own pair of bespoke frames. We highly recommend taking time to see more of what this shop out of Brussels is doing and check out their instagram. We look forward to seeing what else Ludovic has in store for the optical world.

Why is it that we are willing to spend hundreds (even thousands of dollars) on accessories each year to complete our personal look, but most of us stick to one pair of glasses every day? What we wear is a direct reflection of how we want to be seen. We define who we are by our clothing, jewelry, shoes, and other accessories, giving us a feeling of self-confidence and expression. And yet, so many of us are missing that eyewear is another piece to this equation of self-expression through fashion. Wearing glasses or sunglasses is much more intimate than other accessories we tend to hold value in. Eyewear is like jewelry for the face. It frames your eyes, it gives your face character, and it allows you to give an immediate first impression of who you are to those around you. Why would we want to be perceived the same every day? We have multiple facets to our personalities and wearing a frame is like a window into each of those. Eyewear is the missing accessory your wardrobe needs. On a recent trip abroad, it was profoundly clear that Europeans more willingly embrace this concept. Like finely curated jewelry, they celebrate the artistry that designers are creating in eyewear and make it a stand-out piece in their ensemble. An investment, yes, but it appears that to them, the idea of spending more on high-quality products in fashion is acceptable and should be a part of how we represent ourselves. Owning several frames in their eyewear collection to fit with their daily mood and choice of clothing is only natural. In America, it seems we are more hesitant to put the investment into building such a collection. We haven’t grasped yet the value of spending on quality eyewear that can be worn for years to come or that we can allow ourselves the luxury of wearing different frames to accentuate our faces and personal style. We build other accessory collections without wincing at the cost or mulling over whether we should make the purchase. Eyewear should be the same. There are brands beginning to break this barrier and influencing consumers to see the worth in eyewear as a distinctive component to one’s personal image. For instance, Jacques Marie Mage has a plethora of celebrities donning the line, but it’s the stand out star Jeff Goldblum with his endless frame choices that we are finally beginning to have the “Aha!” moment. Then you have Kuboraum with the likes of Lady Gaga and Oprah sporting their frames. There is no denying Oprah has an extensive eyewear collection, and nowadays we look to see what glasses she is going to wear next and how we can find something similar. And although we hate to admit it, thanks to social media and celebrity influence, the American market is realizing more than ever that we can invest more in personal items that establish how we want to look and be viewed. The truth is, we don’t have to be current eyewear enthusiasts to get this concept. We all love to look our best, wear what makes us feel confident and put together, but also sets us apart. Eyewear is the most defining element we can use in our wardrobe. What we wear on our face is just as important as the custom suit we have made or the jewelry we have designed for us. Trust these opticians, it’s worth the investment.

Calling all digital nomads and screen-addicted humans around the world, your eyes are screaming for a break. Ever notice you feel that you have eye fatigue, blurred vision, discomfort, or even worse, headaches after a day of work at your laptop or scrolling through your feed? The reason is blue light, and it is causing some major strain on those beautiful eyes of yours. As long-time opticians, we know the effects that blue light can have on us. Hey, we are guilty of the screen love affair too! That’s why we keep up with the latest lens protection to keep these symptoms at bay. There are many coatings now made specifically to help filter out harmful blue light we are so frequently exposed to with device usage. We can hear what you are saying now. “But I hate that blueish-purple reflection you see on the lenses with those coatings.” We have a solution for that too! Zeiss BlueGuard lenses allow you to have the protection you need without distracting reflections and unsightly yellow tints. No coating here, Zeiss has built this technology into the lens itself. This means better protection for your precious eyes. With the organic-chemical technology blended into the lens material, blue light reflections are reduced by up to 50 percent in comparison to other blue light anti-reflective coatings. That’s not all! These lenses block 40 percent of harmful blue light while also giving you full UV protection. Win-win! Want more bang for your buck? Further block blue light to your already protective BlueGuard by adding photochromic. Zeiss’s new PhotoFusion X lenses use BlueGuard material and tints upon sun exposure to give you the sun protection you also desperately need. If you want convenience and are tired of keeping up with another frame, here is an option for you. PhotoFusion X lenses give you the convenience of a sunglass while also adding more protection against harmful blue light. These lenses block 100 percent of UV radiation and increase your blue light protection by up to 50 percent indoors and up to 94 percent outdoors. Who wants to keep working through the pain when there are solutions? Harmful blue light can cause an array of symptoms from digital eyestrain. Eye pain, fatigue, and visual discomfort can be a thing of the past for you. Ask any of our opticians about the benefits of blue light prevention and if Zeiss BlueGuard or PhotoFusion X lenses are good options for your lifestyle. Make an appointment today to find the relief you need.

So, you’ve been wearing the same tortoiseshell glasses you got from a large chain store for FAR too long and you have decided you want to find a look that makes you unique amongst the crowd. The problem is that you aren’t quite sure where to find such eyewear and have no clue as to the difference between the average frame and independent brands that are far superior in quality and creative design. That’s where we can help you. With over 20 years of business under our belts, L’optique is not your run-of-the-mill optical shop. We specialize in eyewear brands from around the world that are the definition of independent specialty frame makers. The truth is that materials, design, and true artisans make independent eyewear a much more one-of-a-kind product that’s highly durable. These eyewear enthusiasts create frames that are not mass-produced and most are handmade. We want to help expand your eyewear knowledge and give you 5 brands we recommend you try on your new path to finding that look you’ve been craving. Rigards If natural materials speak to you, then Rigards is a line you won’t want to pass on. Patina copper, genuine horn, and sterling silver are among the materials used in these beautifully crafted pieces. Handmade with the utmost attention to detail defines the mission of Rigards. Clever design is present in every frame, think unique magnetic sun clips paired with equally expressive glasses. Fashion enthusiasts and inner artists will fan out on this brand. Anne et Valentin Let’s talk about a line that should be a staple in your newfound love of eyewear. Anne et Valentin was founded 30 years ago by a couple in Toulouse, France dreaming to design frames that were made in their homeland and bursting with the creativity that they felt lacked in the optical market. These frames are full of personality and are made from the highest quality acetate and titanium materials. You will be charmed by their playful shapes and dreamy color palettes. We highly recommend you not pass up on the chance to give this line a try. Kuboraum Now here is a brand that is the definition of far out of the box and will make you happily journey out of your comfort zone. Wearing a Kuboraum mask is like stepping into a new character that you have always wanted to emulate. As the creators put it, “Choosing eyewear which is also a mask while looking in the mirror and perceiving one differently.” You will find that each pair of Kubraum is unique and the true epitome of handcrafted. Dreamed in Berlin and Handmade in Italy, your inner punk fashionista or Gaga will love every Kuboraum mask created. Mykita Maybe you are thinking that a bold or statement frame isn’t your style. Minimalism can still have distinctive design elements and a uniqueness that sets them apart. Handmade in Berlin, Mykita has revolutionized the typical hinge with a coil mechanism that allows for flexibility and strength. What this means is no screws are required. You will never have to worry about those pesky screws coming loose. Made from surgical stainless steel and acetate, Mykita frames maintain featherlight weight with durability that can outlast other brands of eyewear. The engineer in us all will appreciate this line. Theo Bright colors, mixed patterns, and asymmetry are all characteristics of the Belgian line Theo. You will love their playfulness and keen eye for cutting-edge design. Their frames simply bring life to the party and smiles to the faces that wear them and those that see them. In fact, part of Theo’s mission is to bring happiness to glasses-wearers everywhere. They use the highest quality acetate, titanium, and aluminum to bring you a rainbow of colored eyewear. Quirky yet sophisticated, you will be different from the rest wearing Theo. By now you are feeling like you can’t wait to dive into the world of independent eyewear. Why settle for the same old thing or trend everybody else is wearing? These lines are a great starting point to get you to venture into new heights. They are inspiring and carefully crafted to bring you a product that can be worn for years to come. You will always feel like an individual in a frame from artisan brands like these. Check out our website for more inspo or follow us on Instagram @opticaldivaz to see what else we have up our sleeves. Cheers to your new journey in eyewear!