Looking for the best Italian eyewear brands? Then stick around because in today’s post we are going to give you the best Italian eyewear brands list to help you decide which one/s to pick for your eyewear needs.
Eyeglasses are believed to have been an Italian invention, created by during the 13th century as they were already featured in early Renaissance paintings.
The Romans discovered the ability to use glass in order to see small text, which led to the creation of small magnifying glasses with spheres – the precursor of the modern eyeglasses.
These eyeglasses were made out of glass-blown convex lenses set into wood or leather frames – and sometimes even animal horns were used. They were held by hand to the face or perched on the nose of the wearer.
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10 Best Italian Eyewear Brands
There are plenty of eyeglasses and sunglasses designed and made in Italy. Italian eyewear brands are favored by many for their use of top-quality materials that are meant to last. They also come in various creative colors, shapes, and design elements.
Without further ado, here are the best eyewear brands of Italy.
1. Persol
Persol is a symbol of Italian luxury. This is the brand that is most people’s first foray into luxury eyewear.
One of the oldest eyewear brands in the world, Persol’s story began in the northern Italian city of Turin in 1917. It was when Giuseppe Ratti – photographer and optician – invented the state-of-the-art glasses called Protectors. They were designed for aviators’ and sports drivers’ ultimate comfort, protection, and vision.
The Persol 714 folding frame sunglasses have become synonymous with Steve McQueen, the famous American actor in the 1960s. The sunglasses were catapulted into fame when McQueen starred and wore his own personal pair of Persol 714 in the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair.
Eyewear aficionados were bowled over the movie and the iconic Persol 714 has been one of this Italian eyewear brand’s most popular sunglasses since.
2. L.G.R
100% handcrafted in Italy by expert artisans, L.G.R creates high-quality optical frames and sunglasses using tempered mineral glass lenses.
In order to deliver an authentic and noble product, L.G.R uses traditional methods of production in building each frame from start to finish.
L.G.R’s story began in 2005, when founder Luca Gnecchi visited his grandfather’s optical store in Asmara, Eritrea, and he discovered a box of sunglasses that had been imported from Italy 50 years earlier. Gnecchi was hooked by the frames’ elegant design so he brought them back to Italy.
This story spread quickly, instantly bringing in requests for these unique sunglasses. Thus, L.G.R was born and it never looked back since.
L.G.R preserves Italian values and heritage through hard work by artisans who have spent their lives perfecting their craft, resulting in truly Italian eyewear that translates excellence through passion and authenticity.
Today, L.G.R eyewear is worn by celebrities the likes of Prince William, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rom Cruise, Gigi Hadid, and even Giorgio Armani.
3. HandMade In Rome
HandMade in Rome is an Italian eyewear brand that offers complete customization services to clients from all over the world. It is noted for its combination of traditional production techniques and modern manufacturing processes which result in high-quality eyeglasses.
As the name suggests, HandMade In Rome produces their eyewear pieces in Rome, specifically in the city’s industrial district. It boasts over 30 years of experience on board to meet the demands of their clients.
If you want to be one of HandMade in Italy’s international clients, contact them through their website.
4. Ray-Ban
As a leader in sun and prescription eyewear, Ray-Ban has been providing timeless style, authenticity, and premium lenses and frames for generations.
Starting out in 1936 in Rochester, New York, USA, Ray-Ban was acquired by the Italian giant eyewear firm, Luxottica Group. It is now based in Milan, Italy, where it continues to provide the world with luxury sunglasses and eyeglasses.
Ray-Ban brand is famous for its Aviator and Wayfarer lines of sunglasses.
The Aviator sunglasses are no doubt the most popular Ray-Ban style for both men and women. They were designed in 1936 for pilots who could use sunglasses that would protect their eyes from the harsh glare of the sun while also still comfortable to wear when they’re flying.
The Wayfarer line, on the other hand, was greatly favored by celebrities the likes of Andy Warhol, James Dean, Bob Dylan, and Marilyn Monroe. To this day, it remains a popular choice among teenagers from all over the world.
5. Ferilli Eyewear
If you’re looking for eco-sustainable eyewear, you are looking at the right brand. Ferilli Eyewear offers exactly that.
Cristiano Ferilli founded his eponymous eyewear brand based on his passion and fascination with infinite eyewear shapes, colors, and models. He started to be passionate about the world of eyewear as a young man participating in international exhibitions and fairs.
Ferilli Eyewear is the only brand in this list that offers sunglasses that are crafted from nature. Eco-conscious Ferilli uses locally sourced prickly pear fibre, olive wood, ebony, and other sustainable materials – added with the refined Italian flair, made to the strictest quality standards in Italy, and keen pricing.
All these things bring Ferilli Eyewear to every best Italian eyewear brands list.
6. Safilo
Safilo creates Italian eyeglasses for men and women that reflect deeply rooted traditions of classic design and Italian quality craftsmanship, showcasing the hallmarks of this premium Italian eyewear brand: style, elegance, and authenticity.
Safilo is a leader in Italian luxury eyewear, using only superior materials combined with state-of-the-art technology, making it one of the best eyewear brands from Italy.
Safilo has been providing the world with Made in Italy eyewear since 1934. Today, it still produces its own house brand and creates it own house designs despite owning dozens of other eyewear brands like Carrera, Smith, Elasta, and Adensco, among others.
7. Arlecchino
Producing handcrafted eyewear in Italy since 1986, Arlecchino is well-recognized for its leading role in the frame manufacturing business of both sunglasses and optical frames. The brand claims these handcrafted values that come with a genuine Made in Italy product to be the basis of its daily commitment.
The company’s goal is to answer the market’s specific demands by creating customized and diversified products.
Based in the eyewear capital of Italy, in Quero Vas, Belluno, part of the beautiful Dolomites area, Arlecchino’s clients include many well-known international brands.
8. Lozza
Lozza, the oldest eyewear brand in Italy, was founded in 1878 by Giovanni Lozza and two traveling eyewear salesmen. They set up their eyewear factory in northeastern Italy’s Veneto region.
For nearly a century and a half, the brand has ruled superior in making the emblem of the ultimate cult spectacle. In today’s world where appearance has become devoid of meaning, Lozza is one of the few brands that still provide an aesthetic that is full of substance as an answer to the most contemporary of needs.
Lozza has been added to the special register of historic Italian brands since 2021.
9. POLICE
POLICE offers Italian sunglasses to individuals with independent character.
Sexy and with strong personality, POLICE Eyewear is favored by many celebrities the likes of David Beckham, George Clooney, and Antonio Banderas.
Since its launch in 1983, POLICE Eyewear has specialized in sunglasses. The brand is known for its effortless street style and inspired by authentic and daring personalities.
Over the decades since its inception, POLICE has always continued to re-invent itself as a new “society” icon.
Today the brand symbolizes freedom and has constantly evolved to fit the current needs of each generation, yet remains faithful to its own unique spirit.
10. Blackfin
Last but certainly not least on our list of top Italian eyewear brands is Blackfin, because no list is complete without it.
Based in Agordo, a small village in the Italian Alps, Blackfin markets itself as “an eyewear designed for those who want to see the world from a new point of view and continue to look ahead.” The brand creates masterpieces that combine style with state-of-the-art technology and engineering.
Blackfin stays faithful to its Italian roots. From the foundation to the design and the aesthetic, the brand is entirely based on il Bel Paese’s centuries-old artistic history. Every Blackfin eyewear is carefully made in Italy, assuring every wearer top-notch quality frames and lenses.
Founded by couple Maria Pramaor and Primo Del Din in 1971, Blackfin was the first ever producer of titanium frames, which are not only elegant and prestigious but exceptionally comfortable to wear as well.