Perfectly aligned with our eco-conscious Parisian photoshoot, we’re excited to spotlight this month’s feature: Sustainable Eyewear.
This special feature underscores our longtime commitment to environmentally friendly fashion, highlighting 3D printed frames that generate zero waste, eyewear crafted from natural materials like horn or wood, and designs utilizing recycled components. It’s all about celebrating innovation while preserving our planet.
Let’s start exploring the world of 3D printed eyewear. This technology requires fewer materials, labor, and transportation costs while offering the ability to print glasses on demand, reducing both inventory and waste. Moreover, 3D printed eyewear can be crafted from strong, flexible materials that are durable and resistant to impact and wear.
The world of eyewear is undergoing a technological revolution with the rise of 3D printing, transforming the way frames are designed and produced. This breakthrough in additive manufacturing is unlocking new possibilities that surpass traditional methods, allowing for intricate designs and unprecedented customization. 3D-printed eyewear marks the beginning of a new era in which personalization, technological precision, and sustainable practices are seamlessly integrated. This innovation not only offers consumers unique and tailored eyewear but also streamlines production, reducing waste and enhancing efficiency for manufacturers. The result is a win-win for both creators and wearers, setting a bold new standard in eyewear design.
Here are a few inspiring examples of how eyewear brands and designers from outside the industry are harnessing 3D printing to create stunning pieces of wearable and sustainable art:
VM L’Atelier – France
One approach to sustainable eyewear production is utilizing 3D printing—a technique embraced early on by French eyewear designers Vanessa and Mehdi of VM L’Atelier. Pioneers in this growing field, they explored the potential of 3D printing to create innovative, eco-friendly designs that reduce waste and offer greater customization. Their forward-thinking approach not only showcases their dedication to sustainability but also pushes the boundaries of eyewear craftsmanship.
VM L’Atelier is a French eyewear brand at the forefront of innovation, utilizing advanced 3D printing technology to redefine both design and functionality in eyewear.
Through their pioneering use of LIQUID technology, VM L’Atelier employs photopolymerization of a biocompatible liquid, which hardens instantly when exposed to a powerful UV laser beam.
This cutting-edge approach offers a range of benefits that set their frames apart.
The story of VM L’Atelier began with a bold idea: to explore the untapped potential of 3D printing in crafting sophisticated eyewear. This journey led them to embrace LIQUID technology, an innovative process that transforms a biocompatible liquid into solid frames with the precision of a master sculptor. When exposed to a powerful UV laser beam, the liquid hardens instantly, forming frames with an exceptional surface quality and luxurious softness.
But Vanessa and Mehdi’s pursuit of excellence didn’t stop there. They wanted their designs to feel as light as they looked, and frames like the MOJAVE are proof of their success—each one weighing just 14 grams, providing wearers with an almost weightless experience without sacrificing durability. This is eyewear that fits like a second skin.
What truly sets VM L’Atelier apart, though, is their dedication to both aesthetics and innovation. The 3D printing process allows them to infuse each frame with a unique, opalescent effect, creating a visual depth that feels alive in the light. It’s not just about eyewear—it’s about crafting pieces of art that are as intriguing as they are beautiful.
Yet, beneath all this artistry lies a quiet revolution. The use of 3D printing significantly reduces waste, reflecting Vanessa and Mehdi’s commitment to sustainability. By embracing this technology, they are proving that luxury can coexist with eco-consciousness, and that innovation can lead to a better, greener future.
John Mauriello
Designer and educator John Mauriello is known for pushing the boundaries of creativity and design through his YouTube channel, “Design Theory.”
His latest project, a series of multi-material 3D-printed sunglasses inspired by the classical elements—earth, wind, fire, and water—is a daring exploration of what eyewear can become when limitations of cost, material, and conventional manufacturing are removed.
Mauriello approached this project as a “what-if” scenario, envisioning a world where creativity isn’t restricted by practical concerns. Using cutting-edge 3D printing technology, he brought these conceptual sunglasses to life, each pair encapsulating the essence of its respective element.
The fire sunglasses feature a mesmerizing blend of glowing red embers encased within translucent flames, creating a melting, fluid aesthetic.
The earth sunglasses take on a solid, grounded form with a rectangular shape and surface cracks that evoke a sense of stability and strength.
Meanwhile, the water sunglasses are adorned with AI-generated bubble-like textures, giving them a flowing, organic appearance.
The wind sunglasses showcase a sleek aerodynamic shape, with delicate ribs running along the front and ethereal wispy forms inside, capturing the movement and lightness of air.
This project isn’t about creating eyewear for mass production; instead, it represents Mauriello’s approach to design exploration and education. By stepping away from the constraints of client-driven projects, he’s able to experiment with new tools and techniques, inspiring others to reimagine what’s possible. The resulting sunglasses are not merely functional accessories but pieces of wearable art that challenge conventional design norms.
Through these elemental sunglasses, John Mauriello encourages his audience to think beyond traditional design boundaries. His work serves as a reminder that in the world of design, embracing curiosity and experimentation can lead to extraordinary and unexpected results.
Tech Print Industries – TPI
Most 3D-printed eyewear on the market is limited to monochrome shades or basic color blocking, often featuring a matte finish. But newcomer In the world of eyewear, TPI is breaking new ground and redefining the possibilities of 3D printing. Where many have been confined to basic monochrome designs and matte finishes, TPI has taken a bold leap forward, harnessing the power of full-color 3D printing to craft eyewear that truly stands out. Their groundbreaking process allows eyewear to be printed in full color, featuring intricate prints, patterns, and even detailed imagery like photos or famous paintings. This leap in technology opens up an entirely new realm of creative possibilities for eyewear designers and brands looking to make a bold statement.
Their advanced 3D printing technology opens a new frontier for designers, offering flexibility, speed, and sustainability all in one package. With the ability to print eyewear in vibrant hues and intricate textures, TPI has given designers a fresh canvas to experiment with new color palettes, allowing them to stay ahead of ever-changing fashion trends. No longer limited to basic designs, eyewear can now be an expression of art, capturing detail and color in ways never seen before.
“3D full-color printing is the future of frame production, maximizing material savings with almost zero waste and a streamlined, single-step process—unlike traditional 3D methods that require multiple finishing steps.
Though it uses PA-plastic, the real magic lies in design. As Starck said, ‘Make plastic so beautiful, people will want to keep it forever.’ 3D printing opens the door to unique, bold frame designs that conventional methods simply can’t achieve.
Plus, producing each frame on demand, rather than in large quantities, brings sustainability to a whole new level.”
But it’s not just about aesthetics. TPI’s approach centers on a philosophy of “design on demand,” a revolutionary concept that eliminates the need for excess inventory and cuts down on waste. By producing eyewear in real time and in response to demand, TPI allows brands to adapt swiftly to the market, ensuring their collections are always timely and relevant. This shift in production not only addresses sustainability but also enhances efficiency in an industry that’s often marked by overproduction.
TPI’s proprietary software adds another layer of sophistication to the mix. It enables the creation of intricate designs with exceptional precision, making it possible to produce anything from a single bespoke piece to multiple styles within a single print run. This technological edge gives designers the freedom to experiment, innovate, and bring their most daring visions to life—all without the constraints of traditional manufacturing tools and minimum order quantities.
By sidestepping these conventional limitations, TPI is making sustainable eyewear collections a reality. Their process significantly reduces environmental impact, proving that innovation and eco-consciousness can go hand in hand. In a competitive market, where speed and creativity are essential, TPI’s embrace of full-color 3D printing offers a realm of possibilities that was once unimaginable.
TPI isn’t just another eyewear manufacturer—they’re pioneers of a new era. By blending cutting-edge technology with sustainability and design freedom, TPI is setting a new standard for what eyewear can be. With each new frame, they’re not just crafting eyewear—they’re telling a story of innovation, creativity, and a bold vision for the future.
EveryWear
In 2020, EveryWear was founded byAlain Schutter and Ruben, driven by a shared vision: to combine their passion for adventure with a strong commitment to sustainability. The inspiration came from a conversation with a kitesurfer friend, who shared how plastic waste had overtaken once-beautiful beaches. This stark reality prompted them to take action.
They saw an opportunity in the eyewear industry, where traditional acetate glasses wasted 80% of materials and used harmful chemicals.
Determined to create a sustainable alternative, they embraced 3D printing. This method allowed them to reduce material waste to just 2%, produce frames on-demand, and eliminate overproduction. Though the journey took longer than expected, their first 3D-printed sunglasses launched after two years of rigorous testing and feedback from opticians.
EveryWear didn’t stop at just reducing waste. They further enhanced their sustainability efforts by using castor beans, a natural source of biodegradable resin, in their frames. This innovation, combined with 3D SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) technology, enabled EveryWear to minimize waste even further.
With their first sustainable sunglasses a success, EveryWear is expanding its range, continuing to push the boundaries of eco-friendly eyewear. Sustainability isn’t just a goal for EveryWear—it’s their mission.
More on Sustainable Eyewear
This concludes the first of our three-part special on sustainable eyewear. In this article, we explored the innovative world of 3D-printed eyewear, where zero-waste production is becoming a reality. Stay tuned for the next two features: one focusing on eyewear made from natural materials, such as horn and castor beans, and another diving into eyewear crafted from recycled materials. Together, these articles highlight the exciting, eco-friendly developments shaping the future of independent eyewear design. Stay tuned for more insights into the sustainable eyewear revolution!
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