Ludovic Elens Wood Inlay Eyewear

Buffalo Horn Meets Marquetry Inspired Craftsmanship at London Craft Week 2026

A single piece of buffalo horn, decades-old veneers, and more than fifty hours of bench work.

At London Craft Week 2026, Brussels-based artisan eyewear maker Ludovic Elens presented a unique spectacle frame that explores how traditional wood inlay techniques can be translated into contemporary eyewear design.

Created entirely by hand in Brussels, the one-of-a-kind frame combines bespoke eyewear craftsmanship with techniques more commonly associated with fine furniture. The result is a wearable object that sits at the intersection of design, artistry, and craftsmanship.

Bringing Wood Inlay to a Spectacle Frame

Carved from a single piece of dark Indian water buffalo horn, the frame features an intricate wood inlay pattern inspired by the Japanese Asanoha motif. Known for its repeating hemp-leaf geometry, the pattern has long been celebrated within Japanese decorative arts for its symbolism of growth, resilience, and craftsmanship.

The wood inlay is created using traditional marquetry techniques drawn from cabinetmaking. Triangular elements are first assembled into diamond-shaped modules before being arranged into the distinctive star formations of the Asanoha pattern. Cuban mahogany, boxwood, and mother-of-pearl are individually fitted into precisely cut recesses within the horn frame.

While marquetry is traditionally reserved for luxury furniture and decorative objects, adapting the technique to eyewear required a completely different level of precision. Every component had to be engineered for an object intended to be worn rather than displayed.

Carrying a Craft Forward

According to founder Ludovic Elens, the project was also shaped by the history of the materials themselves.

The veneers used in the wood inlay originate from an inherited collection built over generations of cabinetmakers. Incorporating them into a spectacle frame created a direct link between traditional woodworking heritage and contemporary eyewear craftsmanship.

This connection between past and present is central to the project. Rather than simply decorating a frame, the wood inlay becomes a vehicle for preserving techniques and materials that might otherwise remain confined to the workshop.

More Than Fifty Hours at the Bench

Although the finished frame appears effortless, its development required extensive experimentation inside the atelier. Traditional marquetry processes had to be reimagined and refined to function at the scale of eyewear while maintaining durability and comfort.

More than fifty hours of bench work were dedicated to the project, including material research, technical development, prototyping, and the final handcrafting of the frame itself.

The piece reflects Ludovic Elens’ ongoing exploration of craftsmanship, materials, and bespoke eyewear. It also demonstrates how techniques from outside the optical industry can inspire new approaches to frame design.

A Maison d’Artisans in Brussels

Founded in 2015, Ludovic Elens operates as a Maison d’Artisans from its atelier in Brussels’ historic Sablon district. Every frame begins with a conversation before being crafted at the bench for a specific client.

Working with materials such as buffalo horn, acetate, rare woods, and precious metals, the atelier has developed a reputation for highly personalized eyewear. Some clients travel to Brussels for fittings, while others are met through private appointments abroad.

This unique wood inlay frame continues that philosophy. More than a showcase of technical skill, it demonstrates how traditional craft disciplines can be adapted to create eyewear that is both deeply personal and unmistakably contemporary.

The piece is unique and available on request.