Classic Specs was founded in 2010 in New York as an answer to an acute need for chic, affordable, and high quality eyewear. The designs beautifully combine vintage tones and contemporary allure to offer timeless frames for modern times. Not just style without substance, the frames are handmade to the highest standard of craftsmanship from premium quality Italian acetate and feature stainless steel reinforced hinges, providing a stunning and durable base for custom lenses made in LA. To push the boundaries of eyewear design further, Classic Specs has now joined forces with three artists who are making waves in the art community.
The three limited-edition designs in the Artist Collaboration Series are refreshingly different from one another, reflecting the artists’ styles wonderfully. Jean Jullien, a French graphic designer living in London, has created illustrations for The New Yorker, Tate, The New York Times, Nike, and Le Centre Pompidou, to name a few. His “Venom” frame design features a smiling orange snake across the interior, keeping in line with his character-based illustrations while also providing a fun play on the “snake with glasses” French saying.
By contrast, Tim Lahan takes a different approach. Based in Philadelphia, he has a passion for minimalism and he has collaborated with The New Yorker and Kenzo, among many others. Lahan offers a creative look at the inner workings of the frames. Translucent with light blue accents and metal details, the “Three-Way” frames combine three elements in one harmonious and modern piece.
Italian Margherita Urbani loves typography, pop-art and bold illustrations, all influencing her illustrations. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, IL Magazine and Anthropologie. Urbani’s “Cityscape” eyewear and sunwear designs boast urban landscapes painted in vibrant colors which are contrasted by black accents. The limited edition Artist Collaboration Series will arrive in March at Brooklyn Denim in New York, Azalea in San Francisco, and Junk Food Clothing in Los Angeles. You can also find the frames online, at Classic Specs.