Top 16 Premium Eyewear Brands Around the World

Gentle Monster is a renowned South Korean eyewear brand founded by Hankook Kim in Seoul, South Korea in 2011. The brand's glasses are reminiscent of Zanzan's designs but stand out due to their distinctive personality. Gentle Monster eyewear blends modern and classic styles, making them perfect for bold fashion statements. Hankook Kim, the founder, believes that Koreans desire smaller faces, which is why the oversized glasses with low nose bridges are specifically crafted to fill a gap in the market for this particular need.

Currently, Gentle Monster operates over 40 stores globally and maintains business relationships with numerous optical retailers, including eyewear departments in Nordstrom and Harvey Nichols. The glasses are primarily made of metal and acetate, crafted into various seasonal styles and colors. The brand has also collaborated on projects with top designers like Alexander Wang, Hood By Air, and Opening Ceremony.

One of the most remarkable features of Gentle Monster eyewear is the innovative contrast between the frame and lenses. These glasses are designed with sleek, sophisticated frames that are user-friendly. The designs incorporate bold patterns and vibrant colors, especially striking when exposed to light, allowing wearers to express their unique fashion sense. These eyewear pieces are perfect for fashion lovers who embrace a rebellious, rule-breaking aesthetic.

Website: http://en.gentlemonster.com/

Ray-Ban is a stylish and trusted eyewear brand, founded in 1936 by Bausch and Lomb in Rochester, New York. Ray-Ban offers a wide variety of designs, making it a staple for anyone seeking a classic American style. The brand became iconic with its mirrored sunglasses, from the pilot glasses worn by General Douglas MacArthur to the famous black Wayfarers seen in The Blues Brothers, and the timeless Aviators featured in Top Gun. Today, Ray-Ban offers a vast selection of stylish sunglasses for both men and women, available in countless colors and materials, catering to every fashion taste.

What sets Ray-Ban apart is their use of liquid glass and high-quality optical glass fibers in their lenses, ensuring exceptional scratch resistance. The glasses are designed to cover the entire eye with a thin, elegant frame, crafted with adjustable nose pads for comfort and even weight distribution. Ray-Ban is now part of Luxottica, the international eyewear giant based in Milan, Italy. Luxottica also owns other famous brands like Persol, Oliver Peoples, Arnette, and Prada Eyewear, in addition to retail chains such as LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, and Pearl Vision.

Website: http://www.ray-ban.com/vietnam

Krewe Du Optic is often referred to as a "newborn" eyewear brand, having been established in 2013. Despite being relatively young, the brand has rapidly gained traction in the luxury eyewear market. Inspired by the vibrant culture of New Orleans, Krewe Du Optic’s collection celebrates individuality while embracing the essence of the city. Founded in 2012 by Stirling Barrett, a native of New Orleans, the brand’s frames are entirely handcrafted, with modern and iconic designs. Each piece features subtle KREWE branding, making them stand out and reflect a unique personal style.

The eyewear from Krewe Du Optic has already captured the attention of supermodels like Gigi Hadid and Alessandra Ambrosio, who are loyal customers of the brand. The frames are crafted from Italian acetate, hand-carved with precision, and feature high-quality hinges with rivets for a long-lasting, comfortable fit. Some frames are even embellished with 24K gold hardware for an added touch of luxury. All lenses are Rxable and made from CR-39 material, offering scratch resistance and lightweight protection from UVA and UVB rays. Every piece is meticulously handcrafted, and due to the detailed craftsmanship, demand continues to rise, with some styles requiring pre-orders of 1 to 2 months.

Website: https://www.krewe.com/

Persol is an eyewear brand founded in 1917 in Italy, a symbol of an extraordinary story that began in Turin. It was here that ophthalmologist and photographer Giuseppe Ratti invented the Protectors, modern glasses designed for comfort, protection, and optimal vision for pilots and race car drivers. Persol's iconic designs and innovative style have made it a legend, representing Italian craftsmanship, quality, and timeless luxury. The brand's eyewear is the perfect choice for romantics, offering a classic look for those who appreciate the gentleman's sophisticated, free-spirited style.

With over a century of history, Persol has created numerous best-selling models, including the original, unmistakable designs, some of which have become icons. Notable models like the 649 and 9649, along with the elegant 3007 with round frames, have left their mark on the eyewear world. Inspired by actor Steve McQueen, Persol’s vintage-inspired pieces are defined by meticulous details, such as the three cut-outs on the nose bridge and the arrow-shaped symbols on the temples. These signature features have earned Persol eyewear worldwide admiration.

Website: https://www.persol.com/international/

Westward Leaning is a relatively young brand, founded in 2012 in San Francisco, USA. Known for its eclectic eyewear styles, the brand quickly gained popularity among Hollywood's fashion-forward stars, including Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift. Recently, with the launch of prescription eyewear, it has grown into a versatile optical brand catering to all types of wearers. As a startup, Westward Leaning offers a range of unisex frames and an easy online shopping experience.

What sets Westward Leaning apart is its strong social consciousness. The brand uses sustainable materials, practices ethical business methods, and regularly donates a portion of the proceeds from its collections to specific causes. One such initiative is donating 15% of earnings from their optical collection to Vision To Learn, a nonprofit organization that provides free eye exams and glasses to children in low-income areas across Northern California.

With a focus on vibrant, tropical-inspired lens colors, Westward Leaning eyewear reflects an adventurous spirit, drawing inspiration from nature and the cosmos. The brand also prides itself on its charitable work, regularly contributing a portion of its profits to support various causes. The Vanguard Optical 03, a classic and timeless design, offers exceptional frame quality, packaging (each pair comes with a compact case and a microfiber cloth), and a simple ordering process.

Website: https://www.westwardleaning.com/

Cutler and Gross (CnG), established in 1969, is a British luxury eyewear brand that seamlessly combines the finest Italian craftsmanship with impeccable British style. With a production facility in Cadore, Italy, it has become a symbol of the best of British fashion and Italian quality over the last four decades. This brand represents sophisticated, unique eyewear for men. Since its inception in the halcyon days of fashion, Cutler and Gross has applied its signature creativity to both sunglasses and optical frames, featuring numbered designs with no overt logos.

Recognized as the foundation for iconic eyewear designs, Cutler and Gross continues to adorn some of the most recognizable faces in art, design, music, and film. The brand’s eyewear is crafted by expert artisans with meticulous attention to detail, often in the signature D-frame style. What sets Cutler and Gross apart is its personalized service, offering bespoke design options with custom materials, colors, and features tailored to the individual's preferences, style, and visual needs. Today, the brand operates stores in the UK, North America, and Canada, and its products are stocked in select department stores, optical boutiques, and high-end concept stores worldwide.

Website: https://www.cutlerandgross.com/

The Bespoke Dudes is a relatively new name, emerging in 2012 in Italy. Initially a men's fashion blog by Fabio Attanasio, it later evolved into a high-end eyewear brand in collaboration with Andrea Viganò. The mission behind The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear is to elevate Italy's image while showcasing the craftsmanship of talented Italian artisans, ensuring the continuity of traditional Italian craftsmanship at the highest quality. By March 2015, the brand's sunglasses collection, "The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear," gained significant attention, inspired by a deep appreciation for quality and skill, guaranteed by expert craftsmen from Cadore, Italy.

Known for its refined aesthetics, The Bespoke Dudes targets fashion-forward individuals who appreciate a classic, timeless style. Each eyewear piece is handcrafted by Italy's finest artisans, with a focus on meticulous design details. The frames are incredibly lightweight, sourced from Mazzucchelli Varese, a historic producer of high-quality aluminum frames in Italy, while the lenses are manufactured locally to ensure superb optical quality.

However, the majority of The Bespoke Dudes eyewear may be better suited for European face shapes due to the 22mm bridge, which might not be ideal for Asian faces. Despite this, if you're a collector of premium eyewear, there's no reason to miss out on the uniqueness of these glasses, whether you're from Asia or anywhere else in the world.

Website: https://www.tbdeyewear.com/en

Nackymade is a high-end eyewear brand founded in 2004 by Naoki Nakagawa, a rare Japanese craftsman skilled enough to create a pair of glasses entirely by hand from start to finish. With a workshop based in Kobe, Nakagawa and his wife, Mocky, specialize in creating custom-made eyewear, including prescription sunglasses and bespoke glasses. Each piece is crafted with exceptional attention to detail and a unique blend of traditional and modern materials. To date, over 5,000 pairs of glasses have been created, blending classic styles with modern innovation through the use of the finest materials such as Japanese plastic and European antiques, all crafted in Nakagawa’s distinct approach.

Every pair of glasses produced by Nackymade is meticulously handcrafted, a rarity in the eyewear industry. Nakagawa is among the few craftsmen globally who can complete an entire pair of glasses from beginning to end. Specializing in bespoke eyewear and made-to-order glasses, Nackymade's products are particularly popular with Asian clients due to their perfect fit. The custom-order process allows customers to select their preferred frame shape, size, and color, with materials such as acetate, cherry wood, and titanium. Special services include creating unique lenses that are both clear and reflective.

Website: https://nackymade.shop/

EQO Optics originated from a collection of old skateboards belonging to Ryan and was co-founded by Jon Winfrey and Ryan Vecchiarelli, starting in a garage in Colorado. It’s fascinating that such high-end eyewear could come from what others might consider scrap materials. With a mission to reduce environmental impact, EQO Optics focuses on sourcing old and discarded items, such as used skateboards, and transforming them into stylish eyewear. They use Polaroid polarized lenses and attach the sunnies with spring-loaded hinges for a durable yet stylish finish.

Since 2011, all of EQO Optics' products have been inspired by repurposed skateboards, with frames made directly from the wood of these old boards. The natural, rugged look of the materials gives the eyewear a unique vintage feel that sets the designs apart. In addition, the wooden frames pair perfectly with the polarized lenses from Polaroid, which can be customized to suit each order.

The packaging of EQO Optics is eco-friendly: each pair comes in a slim cardboard box with paper wraps, and the invoice is printed on recycled paper. The only plastic used is a small piece of tape to seal the box and a drawstring bag. The frames not only look great but truly reflect the brand’s ethos of sustainability. The imperfections in the recycled skateboard material add character, making each pair of glasses one-of-a-kind. Since the frames are made to order, stock can be limited, but if you're eager to own a pair, you can always order one directly from the website.

Website: http://eqo-optics.com/

Pugnale & Nyleve is a prestigious Italian eyewear brand founded by Evelyn Susan Schmidt and Emanuele Pugnale. Since its inception in 2013, the brand has blended cutting-edge technology with a passion for design, fashion, and luxury. Every piece is handcrafted in Cadore, Italy, with years of expert craftsmanship. Renowned for their intricate designs and impeccable materials, Pugnale & Nyleve's eyewear is meticulously produced, often utilizing cellulose acetate, one of the finest materials in the luxury eyewear industry.

As a symbol of elegance, Pugnale & Nyleve offers timeless designs that represent the epitome of sophisticated fashion. Each collection acts as a magical filter, adding an aura of beauty and mystery. The eyewear is not only durable but also free from harmful chemicals and highly adaptable to various manufacturing processes. Additionally, Pugnale & Nyleve features special editions and limited releases made from pure gold-plated metal. Their sunglasses are crafted with finely ground acetate, and the final touches are all done by hand. The frames are carefully measured, polished, and gold-plated for the women’s collection and silver-plated for the men’s range.

Website: http://www.pugnaleeyewear.com/

Police is a renowned eyewear brand owned by the global optical group De Rig, founded in 1983 in the USA and later expanding to Italy. The original name was inspired by the iconic glasses worn by U.S. police officers in the 1980s, but over the years, the brand evolved to include a wide variety of designs, materials, and color schemes. Combining spontaneous creativity with a deep understanding of fashion trends, each new Police eyewear collection is crafted to perfectly cater to the future vision of its wearers.

Police is a bold, assertive brand, often associated with famous ambassadors such as Bruce Willis, George Clooney, and David Beckham, who have represented the brand over the years. Recently, the brand has added the renowned actor Antonio Banderas as a spokesperson, perfectly embodying Police's values of passion, confidence, and timeless charm.

The collection from Police focuses on two distinct fashion styles: masculine and powerful, targeting two key demographics: the young, creative, fashion-forward crowd seeking a bold statement, and those over 30 who prefer a classic, sophisticated look. Police sunglasses are always at the forefront of fashion, presenting unisex and trendy designs with cutting-edge aerodynamic lines, sharp details, and vibrant color schemes that reflect the latest fashion trends.

Website: https://eu1.policelifestyle.com/

Ahlem Eyewear is a premium eyewear brand founded by Parisian designer Ahlem Manai-Platt, now based in Los Angeles. With a long-standing passion for aesthetics and design, the frames are designed in Venice, California, and produced in limited quantities by artisans in Oyonnax, France. Ahlem’s design philosophy focuses on the intersection of simplicity, beauty, and functionality, avoiding the constraints of fleeting trends or seasonal influences. Each collection is inspired by Paris—its architecture, energy, and most importantly, its people. In May 2016, the brand celebrated its second anniversary by opening the Ahlem Venice Studio in California.

Each pair of glasses is meticulously handcrafted using classic acetate, a versatile material that displays unique colors and textures depending on the lighting. The lenses, provided by Christian Dalloz from France, feature Crizal coatings offering superior UVA/UVB protection and an anti-reflective layer, creating both aesthetic appeal and safety. The intricate process of creating these unique designs, with layered colors on acetate, requires exceptional skill and craftsmanship. This dedication to quality and artistry is what gives Ahlem Eyewear its distinctive value.

Website: https://www.ahlemeyewear.com/

Vuarnet is a prestigious eyewear brand founded in 1957 in France, known for its high-quality sunglasses and polarized lenses. In the 1950s, pioneers Roger Pouilloux and Joseph Hachigian introduced the Skylynx lenses, initially called Skylynx Acier. These trailblazing opticians, both passionate about skiing, revolutionized eyewear by developing a special lens that not only protected the eyes on the slopes but also provided clear vision in overcast conditions. Skiing champion Jean Vuarnet wore them at the 1960 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal. This victory led to a lasting friendship between the two founders, who teamed up to create a brand that embodied creativity, efficiency, and elegance.

Vuarnet quickly became popular among celebrities like Mick Jagger, Romy Schneider, Alain Delon, and Miles Davis. The brand’s eyewear also made appearances in iconic films such as Daniel Craig in *Spectre*, Jake Gyllenhaal in *Everest*, and Jeff Bridges in *The Big Lebowski*. Vuarnet designs and manufactures its own mineral glass lenses at its facility in Meaux, near Paris. These lenses, developed to precise standards, are ideal for everyday use or in bright lighting conditions. Today, all Vuarnet frames continue to be handcrafted in France, featuring their exclusive mineral lenses, offering unparalleled clarity and exceptional visual experiences.

Website: https://us.vuarnet.com/

Oliver Peoples is a relatively lesser-known brand compared to its peers in the eyewear industry, founded in 1987. Although newer to the market, it has quickly earned recognition for its premium, aviator-style eyewear. These high-end glasses are crafted from the finest materials, with an intense focus on every minute detail. Each frame is meticulously handcrafted in specialized facilities in both Italy and Japan, blending cutting-edge technology with the skillful touch of artisans.

The eyewear from Oliver Peoples is made with only the highest quality materials, which is why it is considered one of the most unique eyewear brands worldwide. All of Oliver Peoples' designs draw inspiration from California's distinctive culture, with designs born in their West Hollywood studio. The acetate material is custom-colored in tortoiseshell patterns, giving each frame a unique look. Handcrafted by skilled artisans, each frame reflects bespoke designs and is entirely one-of-a-kind.

The design process at Oliver Peoples is lengthy, often taking months to perfect, with countless revisions made to every tiny detail to ensure perfect balance and fit. Once the design is complete, the prototyping phase begins, where artisans hand-carve raw materials to bring the designs to life in three dimensions. This entirely manual process is vital for refining the frame and making any necessary adjustments before mass production begins.

Website: https://oliverpeoples.com/

In 1860, Louis Ulysse Chopard, a young and talented artisan, founded his own small workshop. His watches quickly earned a strong reputation in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia. In 1963, the fine watchmaking capital was taken over by Karl Scheufele, a descendant of a dynasty of watchmakers and jewelers from Germany. Under the leadership of the Scheufele family, Chopard saw remarkable growth. Known for its innovation, modern technology, and the craftsmanship of its artisans, the brand became one of the top names in high-end watches and jewelry. Additionally, Chopard is one of the most expensive eyewear brands in the world.

Today, Chopard is synonymous with exclusive diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, meticulously cut and sized in extraordinary, surprising ways, creating a world of unparalleled craftsmanship, where uniqueness, creativity, and technical mastery are pushed to their ultimate limits. Chopard's eyewear collection, crafted by De Rigo, is a treasure trove of emotions and luxury that arises from the fusion of eyewear and high jewelry. The women's styles are defined by intricate details, inspired by Chopard's most iconic jewelry pieces. Sunglasses take on pilot shapes, while optical frames are presented in elegant square designs. Chopard's craftsmanship is reflected in wooden and metal elements, sharp engravings, and bold combinations of materials like metal, carbon fiber, and acetate.

Website: https://www.chopard.com/intl/

Zanzan is a luxury eyewear brand founded by Megan Trimble and Gareth Townshend. Their collection of sunglasses and optical glasses is designed in London and meticulously handcrafted in Valdobbiadene, Northern Italy. Zanzan glasses are sleek, stylish, and modern, with a truly captivating appeal. Since the brand's inception in 2012, Zanzan has garnered a loyal following, with its eyewear being worn by fashionable women from Rihanna to Kate Bosworth, Miranda Kerr, Alexa Chung, and Laura Bailey, who currently serves as the brand's director and creative partner.

The essence of Zanzan lies in experimenting with bold shapes, vibrant colors, and creative prints, offering an entirely contemporary feel. The brand’s designs exude a sense of wildness, with standout patterns and unique styles. Zanzan eyewear is adored by fashion enthusiasts for its practicality and widespread appeal, while still remaining daring and distinctive. The glasses come in vivid hues, with bold patterns and frames that are neither too delicate nor too thick, making them both classic and modern, perfect for those who love youthful energy and style.

Website: https://zanzan.co.uk/