We're living in a boom time for New Zealand design and design-led businesses - I really think we'll look back at this time as one of the most exciting in our country's design history. And there's no better example than new NZ eyewear brand,
Lewis Fredericks.
The founders of Lewis Fredericks are two lovers of design in their early twenties - Joshua Bowden and Auguste Gruar. They met at Uni, and though Josh was studying law and Auguste accounting, they daydreamed about starting their own design-based business together. When they discovered horn as a material, the spark ignited. Here was something that had previously been a wasted by-product of domesticated livestock, something sustainable that could be used to craft the most lightweight, beautifully-striated and textured, completely unique (
no two the same) eyewear. As they studied - determined still to get their degrees - they worked on Lewis Fredericks and worked extra jobs, saving to start the brand and do it right.
They took a full year to research and find farms that produced ethically sound and very high quality horn, as well as finding artisan makers to handcraft each frame. And then, just a few months ago, they launched - announcing the brand with
The Lloyd and
The Foster frames (timeless styles that will remain flagships of the Lewis Fredericks range).
The Foster - as with every Lewis Fredericks frame, you can get The Foster as sunnies or specs
Yummy striations...
The Lloyd Light horn giving me a light horn
Today, I'm stoked to help Lewis Fredericks launch their new Heritage collection.
Three new frames, inspired by three cultural icons - master architect I.M Pei, English poet and novelist Philip Larkin, and the iconic Jackie Kennedy Onassis (Jackie O)...
The I.M.
The Jackie balances size with simplicity
The Larkin - like every frame, it is available in a variety of types of horn, depending on what aesthetic you like
Every frame - sunglass or optical - comes with a soft leather pouch (made in New Zealand)
Say Y.E.S to monogrammed specs
one of one.
Every frame comes with a warranty, a soft leather pouch, hard case, polishing wax and a microfibre cloth (all made here in New Zealand). Lenses are from Italian eyewear specialists Mazzucchelli.
I think my favourite thing above all though, is that Lewis Fredericks frames - because they're made from handcrafted horn - gradually flex and mould to the contours of the wearer's face over time. Actually, I have two more favourite things - your frames and leather pouch can both be monogrammed (yes please), and every frame has a little gold
1/1 on the ear piece - to remind you there's no other piece that's the same as the one you are wearing. Love that.
The savings used, and now as graduates, Josh and Auguste are working full-time, but using every other waking minute to develop Lewis Fredericks. Note to self - this is how great brands begin...
Lewis Fredericks Website / Instagram / Facebook