eyestylistmagazine

Tortoise jungle Robert Marc

Eyestylist is 15 today

Eyestylist.com was launched on 12th January 2011. The Eyestylist archive now features more than 3000 articles, trend stories, reviews and interviews with creatives, eyewear designers and independent optical retailers. Today we mark the occasion with the launch of a fresh look for the site and the Eyestylist logo and branding….follow our content in the next weeks to find out more about the last 15 years …and to follow views on what the future holds…

Created as a dedicated site for quality-driven independent eyewear brands of all sizes, Eyestylist started its journey as a review site and news source about independent eyewear and emerging designers. At the time, there were no other resources online specialising in design history, trends, news about the world of eyewear, and to this day, there are no other journalist-written websites reporting exclusively on the independent brands in the business – from small artisan labels to iconic luxury names, as well as reporting on related international events, independent eyewear stores around the world and stories with cultural significance to the creative optical field. We’ve been known to break a story or two about launches and news in the business! Above: Tortoise Jungle by Robert Marc – the first product reviewed on Eyestylist – posted on 12th  January 2011

Audrey by Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses, one of the first sunglasses featured on Eyestylist in 2011

In the weeks, ahead we will be publishing a series of articles and posts which look back over the last 15 years in eyewear and accessories design – since we published the first editorial in Jan. 2011 – https://www.eyestylist.com/2011/01/introduction/ – here we outlined our editorial mission at the time…. “to create a personal selection of individual pieces which we believe are representative of our times, unique in their features and absolutely worth a peep if you are into eyewear, sell glasses or sunglasses, or if you simply want to find a style for yourself that stands out from the crowd……” We will be looking forward to talking to some of the designers and retailers who have participated and supported the site through the years as it has developed and flourished.

Tuba by l.a. Eyeworks: the first l.a. eyeworks frame to be highlighted on Eyestylist.com

At the beginning, in 2011, it quickly became evident that by visiting workshops and production sites where possible, and meeting the designers and brand innovators at eyewear events in different parts of the world, Eyestylist could grow and flourish, developing new exclusive content, meeting emerging designers, and experiencing the eyewear designers’ world first hand – to create a site that explores this world of creativity and design from many perspectives.

Fabric frames by Lafont Paris (2016):  Eyestylist visited the Lafont stores in Paris in 2016

Today we have followers and readers across the world. Our archive of content and feeds both here and on social media continues to grow and develop, with the original Eyestylist commitment to the leaders and innovators in avantgarde, handmade, luxury and fine glasses, sunglasses and accessories and the optical retailers who are ‘ambassadors’ for these exceptional brands. We have an endless appetite for innovation, design excellence and quality.

We have developed an interest in sustainability and how independent eyewear brands – and the business as a whole – are shifting their perspective to take a more holistic approach to sustainable innovations and developments, accelerating sustainable transformation (On this topic, we recommend reading our  recent interview with Co-Founder of Frame the Future, Xenia Glutz Von Blotzheim :  https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/11/xenia-glutz-von-blotzheim-co-founder-frame-the-future/

Work by jewellery and eyewear designer, Ely Yili Cao, featured on Eyestylist in August 2020 – Eyestylist highlights new and emerging talent in the business

We wish to send our special thanks to all those brands and individuals who have been a part of Eyestylist in the past and continue to support us going forward, and for all our continuing Sponsors in 2026, among them both iconic brands and a number of newcomers – as well as the international eyewear events:

With thanks to: ARTICLE ONE (www.articleoneeyewear.com); Blackfin (www.blackfin.eu); Diffuser Tokyo (www.diffuser-tokyo.com); Erker’s 1879 (www.erkers1879.com); FACE A FACE (www.faceaface-paris.com); FAOFLEX (Dandy’s and Germano Gambini (www.dandyseyewear.com and www.germanogambini.com); GOTTI Switzerland (www.gotti.ch); J.F. REY (www.jfrey.fr); Jisco Eyewear (www.jiscoeyewear.com) Lafont Paris (www.lafont.com); l.a. eyeworks (www.laeyeworks.com); LAMARCA Eyewear (www.lamarcaeyewear.com); LOFT Eyewear Show (www.lofteyewearshow.com) LOOK (www.lookocchiali.com) MIDO (www.mido.com); MOREL (www.morel-france.com); Otis Eyewear (www.otiseyewear.com);  Nina Mur (www.ninamur.com); OGI Eyewear (www.ogieyewear.com); Orgreen Optics (www.orgreenoptics.com) Paloceras (www.paloceras.com); ROLF (www.rolf-spectacles.com); RES/REI (www.resrei.com); RIGARDS (www.rigards.com);  SILMO (www.silmoparis.com); TVR Opt (www.tvropt.eu); The LONDONi (www.instagram.com/the_londoni/; 100% Optical (www.100percentoptical.com).

We also thank everyone behind the scenes at Eyestylist as we have a community of dedicated collaborators and individuals who have been involved in making this site a success. With special thanks to all those who are working with us and those who have made important contributions : DOWO Digital (www.dowo.digital), Helen Bratby (designer), Victoria Brunton (journalist), Gennaro D’Elia (fashion photographer – www.gennarodelia.com) and Oak Creative (www.oakcreative.net).

See you at opti and MIDO 2026! For all enquiries about being involved with Eyestylist going forward and advertising bookings, please direct your enquiries to [email protected] and meet us in 2026!

Our most popular interview features of 2025….

This year, Eyestylist has interviewed designers, changemakers and retailers from across the world. This content explores current trends in optical retailing as well as the directions in independent eyewear design, from different perspectives. We have been fortunate to be able to highlight some exceptional entrepreneurial designers, innovators, opticians and changemakers….throughout the year. Here are the top 6 interviews, the most read on our website, and with the most clicks on social…

1.. Margaux Darrigade and Sophie Mailles, La Belle Vue Opticien (pictured above)

“We opened the store in May 2021, in the Pédebert park in Soorts-Hossegor,” says Margaux and Sophie with pride and excitement. “We have been opticians for 16 and 14 years respectively. We worked together in an optical shop for 8 years before becoming partners….Read the 2025 Eyestylist feature: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/11/french-optical-boutique-la-belle-vue-opticien-sw-france/

2. Alexis Perron-Corriveau and Mika Matikainen, Founders, Paloceras

The emerging eyewear house, Paloceras is quietly establishing itself on the global fashion map. In May 2025, the brand marked a significant milestone with a launch in New York, unveiling two new silhouettes in its acclaimed Pebble collection, alongside a striking palette of new colours and combinations across the entire range. The eyewear brand tells us they have new things coming in the early part of 2026, and will be exhibiting at MIDO for the very first time…read the Eyestylist feature: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/05/alexis-perron-corriveau-and-mika-matikainen-founders-paloceras/

3. Xenia Glutz von Blotzheim, Co-Founder, Frame the Future

Xenia Glutz von Blotzheim works as an impact consultant and she has co-founded the industry initiative “Frame the Future.” She supports companies in weaving sustainability into their brand management and business models. At MYKITA, she still leads the corporate responsibility strategy and CSR communications, driving the company’s transformation into a sustainability pioneer in the eyewear industry. Read the 2025 Eyestylist interview: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/11/xenia-glutz-von-blotzheim-co-founder-frame-the-future/

4. Carlo Sestini, Sestini

Independent eyewear label, SESTINI was created in 2020 by entrepreneur/influencer, Carlo Sestini. Made by artisans in Italy, the eponymous eyewear collection has a prestigious luxury design adhering to the finest levels of quality. With pieces created as collectibles, honouring craftsmanship, traditional techniques and Italian expertise, the designs have a freshness and elegance that feels discreet and yet perfectly curated. Eyestylist met Carlo at The Dorchester in London in December 2025 to learn more about Sestini and the story behind the creation of the brand. Read the 2025 Eyestylist feature at https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/12/carlo-sestini-sestini/

5. Gaëtan Gaye, Alpagota

Gaëtan Gaye is a Belgian entrepreneur, brand builder and business developer in the field of modern luxury. With a background in the fine watchmaking industry, where he worked for one of the world’s three leading luxury groups, he draws on his 15 years of expertise to further enhance the eyewear experience and its desirability. His scented eyewear formulas under the brand Alpagota have caught the imagination of  luxury optical retailers worldwide, delivering a brand new experience to aficionados of fine frames. Read the 2025 Eyestylist interview: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/09/gaetan-gaye-alpagota/

6. Carola Nomden, Ørgreen

Carola Nomden is an eyewear designer with a wealth of experience in the optical field, previously working at SAFILO and Prada. She is known for her creative expertise and modern, cosmopolitan aesthetic, particularly in sunglasses. Carola has joined Ørgreen as the Danish company brings together a creative team to rival many of Europe’s finest. Eyestylist asked her to share her perspective on her work and creative passion. Read the 2025 Eyestylist interview: https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/01/carola-nomden-on-joining-orgreen-optics/