Following the announcement by the Toulouse based eyewear company Anne & Valentin of the passing of Anne Valentin on 24th January 2023, Eyestylist pays tribute to one of the eyewear industry’s inspirational creative talents.
Born in December 1953, Valentin was co-founder of the eyewear label Anne & Valentin. “The pair followed their intuitions, their desires, with a unique shared vision inspired by their love of art and of artists,” said Sylvie Jicquel, President and current owner of Anne & Valentin, who took over the brand under Anne’s guidance and tutelage. “When I met Anne in 2010, I discovered a woman of true character and charisma. There was always something radiant about her, an astounding strength…her talent, her sure taste, her ambition and her determination have inspired me since.”
Valentin was a talented creative who was hugely admired across the eyewear business when the brand shot to fame as a leading independent French label and proponent of unique, artistic eyewear styles, which quickly gained a following around the globe. In an exclusive interview in 2012, she told Eyestylist in her own words how the business first started (2012):
“It just happened one day, from a desire to break with boredom…. A first collection made as beginners, then another, then another, until beautiful objects appeared: great eyeglasses! For over fifteen years, we have been designing them, constantly renewing our shapes and colours. Convinced that uniform grey is nobody’s dream, and that this profession is a pleasure only if it is accompanied by some spirit with lots of heart. Today, our brand Anne & Valentin is available throughout Europe, in the United States, Canada, Korea, and Japan…in the most innovative boutiques of the world…..”
Eyestylist pays tribute to Anne, a true artist of the frame. We extend our deepest sympathy to her friends and family around the world. Eyestylist interviewed Anne Valentin in 2012. To read the interview visit: https://www.eyestylist.com/2012/10/anne-valentin/