Kirk & Kirk

Kirk & Kirk is a British eyewear brand, whose frames are produced from start to finish in one factory in France. They are unique and recognizable due to their use of colour, which is partly due to their choice of materials.

Handmade from their K-Lite™ material, their frames weigh a fraction compared to conventional acetate, allowing them to produce chunky-looking frames that are extremely light and very comfortable to wear.

Not only that but their frames are 100% recyclable.

Sidney and Percy Kirk took a magnanimous view of the profession. They believed that if the industry was successful, they would be successful, so they worked generously offering other optical folk support in setting up London factories or producing advertising books that opticians were free to use to promote their shops.

They were innovators. They developed the first flexible nose-pads, The Facifit, a game changer in retail optics. They even created a bullet proof glass that Sir Malcolm Campbell used in his goggles to set the world water speed record in the 1930s.

Three generations later, Jason Kirk, Sidney’s grandson and Karen Kirk, the Creative Director, use Kirk Brothers’ principles to guide their ship.

Jason and Karen Kirk started in optics in 1992 and built their company with retail stores and even a UK factory until they sold it twenty years later. 

The Vivarium Collection 2015 used under-stated colours to highlight elements of handmade jewellery on the frames. Produced by craftsmen in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter, each frame was adorned with a small Sterling Silver or 9 carat gold animal, ranging from intricate flies to noble stallions.

In 2017, the iconic Kaleidoscope Collection was launched. 8mm laminated acrylic with combination of colour that played in the light to give different hues according to the thickness of each element of the frame.

In 2019 Kirk & Kirk went even further emphasising the weight benefits of acrylic. The Centena collection is hand-made from 10mm acrylic, an innovation that allows the presence of a chunky, confident piece but with all the comfort of a super light-weight frame.

In 2020, the mini-collection, Matte Centena was born, a sub-set in sand-blasted matte colours that is the ultimate expression of the bold, presence of Kirk & Kirk eyewear.

The 2021 Centiles collections combines some of the attributes of earlier Kirk & Kirk eyewear, using laminated materials but in 10mm thickness.

Read more about this brand on TEF Magazine or visit their website.

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Tarian is a French eyewear brand created by designer Jeremy Tarian, known for its refined balance of artistry, craftsmanship, and contemporary design. Born into the world of eyewear as the son of Alain Mikli, Tarian brings a fresh perspective rooted in Parisian culture and a passion for bold, sculptural forms.

What sets Tarian apart is its fusion of traditional know-how with a love for material exploration.

Each frame is handmade in France using premium acetate, ceramic, or natural horn, often produced in limited series to emphasize exclusivity and artisanal value.

With its precise geometry, subtle color contrasts, and architectural silhouettes, Tarian frames feel as much like collector’s pieces as they do functional accessories.

Tarian eyewear is created for aesthetes—those who appreciate thoughtful design, tactile quality, and quiet originality. With each collection, the brand continues to blur the lines between eyewear and art, offering timeless objects that elevate both vision and expression.

Read more about this brand on TEF Magazine or visit their website.

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