Based in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain, Jisco is an independent eyewear company that prioritises design, colour and sustainable manufacture. The environment is at the epicentre of every step of its design process, from raw materials to manufacturing and natural inspiration. Eyestylist’s Victoria G. L. Brunton spoke to founder, Joerdis Neubauer as Jisco announced celebrations of its 10th anniversary…
Your collections are colourful and vibrant, where do you find the inspiration for your colour palettes? All inspiration for new shapes, colours and colour combinations I take from my surroundings and my environment. I always study face shapes; which shape fits what basic features and whose personal style, moving on to how I can help to emphasise a person’s style through my design and colour choice. Colour combinations can be found practically everywhere around us. In the urban landscape, as well as in nature, there is an infinite wealth of colours and textures – you just have to open your eyes to it.
You speak a lot of and are passionate about your Mediterranean heritage, could you tell us a little about this / your Mediterranean upbringing? The Mediterranean, of course, is characterised by very unique colour combinations. The influence of the Mediterranean light makes colours and structures appear very individual and very special. In addition to that, there are always feelings, sounds and pleasant smells that can complete the mood or whole picture.
Which pair of your frames best represents you and why? There is not one model that is specifically typical for me, but there are many in which I feel my personal style is particularly represented. For example, models like “Deseo”; here, I love the colour combinations especially. Another example is “Irina”, the technical side with the screw-less spring hinge and its timeless style again shows a completely different side of my collections.
What is your most popular frame and does it, in your eyes, represent the typical JISCO customer? If so, or if not, what does that customer look like according to you? To address this question, I’ll go straight back to my previous point. Deseo and Padruga, each with their own colour variety are, in my eyes, very typical of our collection, and of our very own unique style.
What does sustainability mean to you? Environmental sustainability is a very important point! We only have this one earth and must urgently rethink how we live, work and impact it. However, this revelation still does not seem to have arrived for many. Some years ago, we were one of the first to purchase certified raw materials according to this desire to change our ways. Until recently, acetate manufacturers only offered black and brown acetate as “organic” options, but new ways have been found through the corresponding increased demands of designers and developers, so now we can choose from a huge portfolio of colours – this definitely makes it easier for me to work sustainably. Pure nature-based and biodegradable materials are my passion, Bio Acetate or pure titanium are now a normal and regular feature in my collections.
Tell us about how JISCO produces its frames sustainably and how / if you continue to improve on this…As I said previously, sustainable products are my favourites to design. Because of this, we will be expanding accordingly and developing each upcoming collection together with the acetate manufacturers. We take our responsibility very seriously.
Do you think ‘greenwashing’ is an issue outside of fashion / specifically within the eyewear industry? One can safely assume that this is the case. Greenwashing probably affects all industries. Even in the optical industry, people like to decorate themselves in green. The question every company must ask itself is: am I going down this path? In any case, a higher investment needs to be made towards sustainability, and one is not always prepared to do this even with all the value competition and price pressure in this area. As I said, everyone must become aware of their own decision and live it, or not.
Would you ever consider expanding JISCO beyond the world of eyewear? Perhaps into furnishings, interiors etc due to your taste for colour, shape and design…I guess you never know, so I don’t want to rule anything out. However, currently, our focus is 100% in designing good glasses with passion and attention to detail.
Are there any exciting plans or upcoming developments on the horizon for JISCO?More new markets are planned, which we are now serving in our 10th year. Every new country makes us proud to work with new people and further expand our portfolio, it’s a wonderful feeling. www.jiscoeyewear.com