STORY

Fukui, Japan is one of the three largest production regions for optical frames in the world, along with China and Italy. 97% of Japaneses-made optical frames are manufactured in Fukui.

Masunaga Optucal premiered the production of eyeglasses in Fukui in 1905. The company founder Gozaemon Masunaga brought in skilled craftsmen from Osaka and Tokyo with the ambition of setting the optical industry solidly in place in Fukui.

He entered into the industry the hard way, and at first the eyeglasses manufactured in Fukui were regarded ti be third-rate in the world. In order to raise the quality standards of the priducts, Gozaemon established a guild like system where full-fledged craftsmen could create their own businesses. Owing to this system, the number of the eyeglass craftsmen increased gradually, and the optical industry spread all over fukui.

There are as many as 200 manual processes involved in making an optical frame. Generally, productivity is low when one company is in charge of all the processes. However, Masunaga Optical is the only company in Japan that has a factory in charge of all processes from raw materials to production and finish in an integrated way. The integrated production system improves the detail and quality.

For example, when Masunaga Optical develops a new model, the molds are always built in-house. If there is a problem in the wear comfort that can be felt only after completing one pair of glasses, it will be corrected in the previous process' promptly.

The company's mission statement since the establishment is "We manufacture excellent eyeglasses. We want to make a profit if we can, but we don't hesitate to take a loss. It is always in our thoughts to manufacture excellent eyeglasses."

These words are still the basis of the conduct code of employees even more than 100 years after its establishment.

www.masunaga1905.com/en/story

Sneak peek of some of the latest Anne et Valentin frames.

Please visit our store to discover the full range.

Grandson of Russian painter Nicolas de Stael, the young designer Lucas de Stael revisits the traditional eyewear. He uses different marquetry techniques to embed the finest materials to the steel structure.

Every single spectacle is structured around high quality surgical stainless steel, covered with a thin layer of titanium.

The goal is to transform matter into art, to experiment without restraints, in order to materialize the wildest dreams into reality. The designers, jewelers and artists are able to develop their own tools and methods in order to put out elegant and delicate frames.

Anne & Valentin's sole existence is due to... Anne and Valentin.

When these two forces of nature were struck by lightening during a chance encounter, Fate offered them a future, which they shared professionally and personally for thirty years, their hearts beating as one.

The deeply united couple spent their lives nurturing and expanding their brand over time.In Toulouse, where the company was founded and where its headquarters still harbor the core of the team, the Anne&Valentin lively spirit has been an inspiration to many.

The adventure truly begins in September 1980 when Valentin the neo-hippie obtains his optician's degree. The two lovebirds are eager to start an optical store with a different approach than what is available at the time, with a unique selection of original, unique frames and a radically different sales philosophy.

From day one, rather than trying to adapt the customer to a frame, Anne and Valentin opt for a deeper comprehensioin of who their customers are - how they move, live and think - in order to find, for each, the perfect frame, dedicated to the customer's unique personality and particularities.

In those days such an approach is nothing short of a small revolution. Valentin manages the optical side of things, Anne decorates the boutique and the windows, both of them handle customers, and their smiling faces are game changers. The shop thrives. But their approach quickly encounters limitations, due to a scarce offer.

There aren't enough models available, and little choice. Boredom hovers...

Anne starts drawing their first designs; they send them to be prototyped in a small workshop/ In 1984, they launch their first collection, soberly named Anne et Valentin.

And while their creations are original, colorful and lively, they are, above all, objects that combine ergonomics, technical requirements, and resprect for those who wear them.

NOW IN STOCK

Oliver Goldsmith is a heritage brand notable and praiseworthy in the world of British fashion and eyewear. Known for its deep rooted and innovative 80 year history all documented in the pages of magazines such as Vogue, Harpers & Queen and Vanity Fair dating back as far as the early 1940s, Oilver Goldsmith and the family behind it, are true to everything that it is to be Birtish and in the business of design.

And so it was a natural progression that Claire Goldsmith, 4th generatation, would take over the reins of this iconic brand and with its colourful history, and steer it forward through the 21st century.

PURE GOLDSMITH

For four generations the Goldsmith family have been creating eyewear that has pushed boundaries of expectation, self expression and individuality.

" During my childhood I was surrounded by a sense of what my family were doing. I used to pore over the pictures of iconic celebrities and models wearing Goldsmith glasses. Michael Caine, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Peter Sellers, were the poster boys and girls for style defining eyewear. I wanted to try to continue the Legacy of Goldsmith eyewear." - Claire Goldsmith

FROM OG TO CG

It's been a natural progression for the new generation Goldsmith team, working with Oliver Goldsmith's incredible archive of vintage frames, to launching new collections of both sun and optical designs under the fresh and contemporary CG brand.

"We cannot help but want to create! Simply developing and refining the classics lead to a desire to re-work team and that in turn lead us to totally new designs whcih clearly carry a contemporary aesthetic. We have to explore our curiosity using up-to-date technologies and experimenting with alternative materials. I feel that our journey of dicovery with the CG brand has only just begun." - Claire Goldsmith

INSPIRATION

CG designs are very much inspired by British history and heritage. TheGoldsmiths have always been a London based family business and so the CG brand continues to take concepts from the past and carefully apply them today, in order to achieve an unmistakable Bristish aesthetic.

Looking back at fashion, automotive, architecture and industry along with the many British cult movements such as mods and rockers, provides a rich history which is used as the inspiration for the design process making for a stylistically dynamic collection.

HANDMADE

While many things will move with the times, some things will never change. Goldsmith frames will always represent quality and authenticity. Goldsmith glasses will always be made by skilled craftsmen.

Some of those craftsmen will be here in England having made frames their whole lives. Some will be Italy 0 the country that literally created eyewear with flair.

Some of them will be in Japan where technology in manufacturing leads the way. Other will be in Germany where precision & excellence is standard.

We have received the latest selection of CG frames. Please come in store to experience this very finest British deisgn eyewear.