Walk into an eyewear store and you can find thousands of frames. But finding a pair that actually feels like you can be a different story.

That is one of the reasons we love independent eyewear.

At Matador Eyeworks in Milton, we deliberately choose to work with independent eyewear brands that have their own point of view. We look for interesting design, quality materials, craftsmanship and frames that aren’t simply following whatever happens to be popular at the moment.

This doesn’t mean that mass-market or mass-produced eyewear doesn’t have a place. It does. But independent eyewear gives people another option: eyewear with personality.

What Is Independent Eyewear?

Independent eyewear generally comes from brands that have their own design identity and aren’t simply producing frames to fit the broadest possible market.

These brands often have a very clear idea of what they want their eyewear to look and feel like.

Some focus heavily on craftsmanship. Others are known for unusual shapes, unexpected colours or innovative materials. Some have a very minimalist aesthetic, while others aren’t afraid to make a statement.

The common thread is that the design comes first.

And that can make shopping for independent eyewear a lot more interesting.

Independent Design vs. Mass-Market Eyewear

Mass-produced eyewear is designed to reach a very large audience. That makes sense. A frame needs to appeal to as many people as possible.

Independent brands can take a different approach.

They may create a frame because the designer has a particular idea they want to explore. Maybe it’s an unusual combination of materials. Maybe it’s a shape that isn’t seen everywhere. Maybe it’s a hinge, colour or construction detail that most people wouldn’t even notice at first.

That freedom can lead to eyewear that feels more distinctive.

We’re not saying one approach is right and the other is wrong. They’re simply different.

At Matador, we happen to be drawn to the brands that are willing to do something a little different.

Design With a Personality

One of the things we love about independent eyewear is that you can often recognize the personality of the brand.

Some brands are instantly recognizable because of their approach to colour. Others have a particular architectural quality to their frames. Some are playful. Some are understated. Some are incredibly refined.

The frame becomes more than an object that holds your lenses.

It becomes part of your personal style.

That’s important because eyewear sits right in the middle of your face. People notice it.

Why shouldn’t your glasses say something about you?

Materials Matter

Independent eyewear brands also tend to be adventurous with materials.

Depending on the brand, you might find Japanese acetate, titanium, gold plating, palladium, handmade details or unusual combinations of materials.

We talked about Japanese craftsmanship in our previous blog, and this is another area where independent eyewear can get particularly interesting.

A frame might look simple from across the room, but when you pick it up, you start noticing the details.

The thickness of the acetate. The way the colours move through the material. The finishing on the metal. The way the hinge operates.

Those little details can make a big difference.

Why We Don’t Want Every Frame to Look the Same

One of the easiest ways to shop for eyewear is to find a frame that looks like everything else.

We don’t think that’s very much fun.

When Zeena and I choose eyewear for Matador, we’re looking for variety. We want different shapes, materials, colours and personalities.

We don’t expect every frame to suit every person.

In fact, that’s the point.

We would rather have a frame that makes one person say, “That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for,” than have ten frames that are all slightly different versions of the same thing.

The Brands We Choose

Our collection includes independent brands from around the world, each with its own approach to design and craftsmanship.

You might find Matsuda, known for its detailed construction and Japanese craftsmanship.

You might discover Anne et Valentin, with its distinctive shapes and playful approach to colour and design.

There is Lamarca, with its strong Italian design sensibility, as well as Linda Farrow, known for its luxurious materials, refined designs and attention to detail.

We also carry Lunetterie Generale and Cutler and Gross, along with other independent eyewear brands that bring something different to the collection.

And that’s important to us.

We aren’t trying to build a collection where every frame looks like it belongs to the same family. We’re trying to create a place where different people can find something that feels right for them.

Why We Choose the Brands We Carry

We don’t choose a brand simply because it’s popular.

When we’re looking at a new collection, we look at the design. We look at the materials. We look at the quality. We look at how the frame is made.

But we also ask a more personal question:

Would we be excited to show this to one of our clients?

That’s a big part of it.

Because when someone walks into Matador, we don’t want to hand them a frame simply because it’s sitting on the shelf.

We want to be able to tell them why we think it’s interesting.

Maybe it’s the unusual shape.

Maybe it’s the colour.

Maybe it’s the Japanese titanium.

Maybe it’s the craftsmanship.

Or maybe it’s just a frame that looks fantastic on them.

Independent Eyewear Gives You More Choice

The word “choice” gets used a lot when talking about shopping, but real choice isn’t necessarily having hundreds of nearly identical options.

Real choice can mean having different ideas to choose from.

A classic frame.

Something completely unexpected.

A beautifully understated titanium design.

A bold acetate frame.

Something colourful.

Something minimal.

Something that nobody else in the room is wearing.

That’s where independent eyewear can be so much fun.

Finding Your Own Look

Ultimately, we don’t think choosing eyewear should be about following a set of rules.

You may have been told that certain frames are “right” for your face shape. You may have always worn the same style because that’s what you’ve been comfortable with.

But sometimes the best frame is the one you weren’t expecting.

That’s what we mean by finding your own look.

It doesn’t have to be loud. It doesn’t have to be unusual. It simply has to feel right when you put it on.

And that’s something we see all the time at Matador.

Someone comes in looking for one particular style and leaves with something completely different.

Sometimes that’s where the fun starts.

Why Independent Eyewear Matters to Us

For Zeena and me, choosing independent eyewear is about more than stocking frames that look different.

It’s about creating a collection with some personality behind it.

We want people to walk into Matador and discover brands they may not have seen everywhere else. We want to be able to explain why a frame is interesting. We want to talk about the materials, the designer, the craftsmanship and the story behind it.

Most of all, we want people to leave with eyewear that feels like their own.

We’re not trying to make everyone look the same.

Quite the opposite.

We’d rather help you find the pair that makes you look in the mirror and think, “That’s me.”

That’s why independent eyewear matters to us.

And that’s why we love what we do.

Mark & Zeena
Matador Eyeworks
Milton, Ontario