Alain Mikli is a French-Armenian designer of high-end handmade glasses and accessories. The designs are defined by unique colours and shapes, which he claims are inspired by his Lebanese Armenian heritage. For example many of them have small blocks of colour set in clear arms or frames, giving them a unique and definitive look (see below).
Mikli’s special creations, however, are very different. They are truly one-of-a-kind pieces, often tailor-made for a specific person or event. For example, one of Mikli’s better know special creations are the glasses he designed for Kanye West for his stronger video in 2007. These shutter shade-style glasses were so iconic and popular the style is now often referred to a ‘Kanye West glasses’ (although the whole original design also included a helmet - below). Read more about this special creation here!
But the lesser-known Mikli special creations are also exceptional. They go beyond being just ‘glasses’ and are instead statements in art and design. The often futuristic designs almost appear like masks they are so ornate and big. This brings up an interesting question about glasses and their purpose (if not to improve vision or protect against sun). Mikli special creations are by no means worn for any practical purpose. Instead they are almost like putting on a costume – they transform the wearer. But although they cover the eyes, the idea is not so much to hide the identity of the person, but instead perhaps to accentuate something within them, or simply to turn the wearer into a work of art themselves.
Alain Mikli special creations, as described on their website, are “frames to see as well as be seen…” They are all made by hand in the Alain Mikli workshop in Paris, where “….each model is the result of subtle gestures using traditional tools, refined details... and improvisation...”
I will leave you with some photos of the special creations… enjoy!
