It’s been a whirlwind few months for the team behind new eyewear designers Archibald Optics, having exhibited their vintage-influenced pieces at London Fashion Week, teamed up with a charity and set themselves up to challenge the natural order with an online, rather than high street, store.
“Our inspiration is very much east meets west,” explains Michael Tesfaye, one half of the duo, when I meet him at the brand’s studio. “We’re inspired by vintage England - we look at everything from classic films to records and newsreels - but we also wanted to combine this with our love of Japanese design and their forward-thinking manufacturing processes.”
Each pair, with period names like Edmund (which is angular) and Ayrton (more of a 1960′s rounded cat eye) feels personal and focuses on retro shapes, not seasonal trends; they can also be worn by men or women. When it comes to making your decision on styles you can choose three which will be posted to try on at home for a week, allowing you to see what really suits you best. This feels significantly less pressurised than in the confines of a high street store with a pushy sales assistant; what’s more, it’s suited to fit around our often hectic lives.
Once you’ve received your glasses you might also appreciate the individual thank you note enclosed from the person who made them, or you could simply read up on the factory processes which are documented on the website. Everything feels transparent, without the smoke and mirrors of a huge luxury brand, and this is symptomatic of London’s new design talent being honest and wanting to include, rather than alienate, the consumer, whether that’s through social media or behind-the-scenes photos. The British Fashion Council loved the concept of Archibald Optics and has been a big support in helping them to launch, though they’ve also had the help of a mentor: the Archibald behind the company name, who was an impeccably dressed Englishman that they met in Asia. “He gives us great business advice and a totally different perspective,” says Michael.
Like many of London’s bright young designers, Archibald Optics have incorporated social responsibility into their work and are determined to give something back. They support an Ethiopian eyesight charity called Eyes for Africa, making a donation from each pair of glasses sold, which then goes direct to the volunteer-run charity and helps to fund cataract surgery. As Michael’s family is from Ethiopia then this is a cause that is close to his heart.
It definitely feels like the company is bridging the gap on many different levels: east meets west, England meets Japan, glasses wearer meets charity for saving eyesight. By offering something that’s adaptable, ethical and a little bit different, they’re set to be big in 2013.
For more information, see the Archibald Optics website. You can also follow on Twitter @ArchibaldOptics and become a fan on Facebook.
Twitter
Facebook
Email
Often found delving in charity shops or hunting down a high street sale at twenty paces, Polly Allen is a Sussex-based journalist and Destination Marketer who loves to track down the latest cultural hotspots. By night she blogs about fashion at 
