French eyewear: acetate, character and the brands to know
Full fronts, decisive colours, hand-polished acetate. AHLEM from Oyonnax, the Lesca family since 1964, the Paris atelier of Peter and May: the French glasses to try at OCCHIO in Crema.
French glasses don’t ask for permission. A full front, a decisive colour, a shape you notice from across the street. If Japanese eyewear wins you over with what it leaves out, French eyewear wins you over with what it puts in. And whoever wears it knows that perfectly well.
01 / The material
Acetate, worked like a piece of jewellery
France made cellulose acetate its own language. It starts as a sheet, which is cut, milled, then polished by hand in several stages. The colour isn’t painted on: it is inside the material. That is why good acetate still has the depth of the first day after years of wear.
And it adapts to you. Warmed in an optician’s hands, the front shapes itself to your face and the temples follow the shape of your head.
02 / AHLEM
Paris, street by street
Ahlem Manai-Platt was born in Paris and founded her brand in 2014. Every model is named after a place in the city: Pont Mirabeau, Place Dauphine, Rue de Sofia. It is a way of wearing an address.
The frames are handmade in small batches in Oyonnax, passing through three workshops and nine artisans. Clean lines, warm-toned metals, acetates in shaded colours: an elegance that never needs to raise its voice.
03 / Lesca Lunetier
A family, since 1964
Lesca was founded in 1964 by Joël. Today the brand is run by his sons, Mathieu and Bertrand, and the frames are still riveted and finished by hand in small workshops.
These are broad-shouldered glasses: thick acetate, visible rivets, shapes with character even on a quiet face. Put them on and you notice your face change.
04 / Peter and May
An atelier in the eighth arrondissement
Peter and May is a duo of Parisian designers. In their atelier in the 8th arrondissement they design the models, build the prototypes and carry out quality control.
The materials are chosen one by one: Mazzucchelli acetate from Italy and Takiron from Japan, OBE hinges from Germany. The result is frames in solid colours with a clean design, made for anyone who wants French glasses to wear every day.
The hand test
- The profile. Look at the front from the side: the acetate is solid and the edge of the lens stays well covered.
- The bridge. Many models have a keyhole bridge, which leaves the nose room to breathe.
- The surface. Glossy and deep, with no milling marks. Run your thumb over it: it is as smooth as glass.
The OCCHIO selection
Four French frames to try
Availability is kept up to date on each product page.
Frequently asked questions
Before you choose
Where are these glasses made?
AHLEM has its frames made by hand in Oyonnax, France. Lesca works with small artisan workshops and is a Made in France brand. Peter and May designs and prototypes in its Paris atelier, with Italian and Japanese acetates and German hinges.
Are thick acetate glasses heavy?
They weigh more than titanium, but the weight is well distributed. With nose pads and temples properly adjusted they stay stable and comfortable all day, without marking your nose.
Can they be adjusted to my face?
Yes. Acetate can be shaped with heat: in the boutique we adjust the front and temples so the glasses sit exactly where they should.
Can they take prescription lenses?
Yes, the optical frames take prescription lenses. If you have a strong prescription, write to us: thick acetate helps cover the edge of the lenses well.
Can I try them on in Crema?
Yes, at the OCCHIO boutique in Crema, Italy. We suggest writing to us first to check that the model you are interested in is available.
OCCHIO · Crema
Glasses that take a stand
If you recognised yourself in that full front, start there. Browse the selection, or come and try it on: it is in front of the mirror that French glasses win you over.
Sources and images
AHLEM: ahlemeyewear.com. Lesca Lunetier: lescalunetier.com. Peter and May: peterandmay.com. Official brand photography, used for editorial purposes for products sold by OCCHIO.