In the frame

THE INTRIC ATE PROCESS OF HANDCRAFTING EXQUISITE FRAMES.

Whether you’re choosing fr ames in s tore, or popping them on for the fir s t time each mor ning, do you ever pause to wonder how they were made?

From concept through production, frames pass through dozens of pairs of hands as raw materials develop into components, and components into the finished ar ticle. The buffing and polishing process alone takes days for ever y frame. So it is no wonder we pay a premium for good craftsmanship.

IT’S ALL IN THE DESIGN Every iconic frame star ts as the wisp of an idea in a designer’s mind. A silhouette. A style statement. Or simply a high-functioning design that stands the test of time. The process always begins with handdrawn ideas, which are turned into detailed CAD designs before being handmade into a working prototype. Nex t, the design is tweaked, new prototypes are made, and so the journey continues until concept becomes reality.

NEXT, IT’S ABOUT THE R AW MATERIALS... Eyewear production is quite a spectacle, if you’ll forgive the pun. The perfect union of man and machine, the finest quality eyewear derives from a long tradition of skilled craf tsmanship, surprisingly hand-made even now. Did you know that acetate, the most popular choice of material, derives from natural cotton fibres and/or wood pulp? Coloured pigments are hand-applied to this raw material, which is rolled numerous times until it’s ready to be compressed into an acetate block and cut into sheets. This is a process that takes weeks and even months. But not all acetate is created equal. The difference in quality is all down to how the raw materials are produced, processed and crafted. You can feel the difference. Premium raw materials, highly experienced craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail make all the difference to the end product commissioned by the world’s leading eyewear designers.

Fr ames visible are br and Walter & Her ber t, both model TE ALBY

WHAT MAKES ACETATE PREFER ABLE OVER OTHER PLASTICS FOR EYEWEAR? • Lowest environmental impact • It’s made from renewable materials • It’s hypoallergenic • Comes in all colours of the rainbow • Can be blended and layered to create unique patterns • Higher quality acetate is lighter, more comfor table and holds it shape for longer At Leightons, we’re making it our mission to offer our customers a more environmentally friendly range. That’s why we’re delighted to stock frames from leading brands like Eco Eyewear and Etnia Barcelona. To meet the unique needs of every one of our customers, our Qualified Dispensing Opticians match a stunning frame with a lens that suits their visual needs.

RECEIVE 20% OFF

Includes lenses , prescr iption and non-prescr iption sunglasses when you sign up for a MyLeightons Care Plan. Visit leightons.co.uk /myleightons for more information or contact us on 0 8 0 0 40 20 20.