How Andre Montana Is Redefining Luxury Eyewear with Vintage Craftsmanship

Some design stories begin with a sketchbook. Andre Montana’s began with a pair of classic tortoise shell  sunglasses. A gift from his grandfather, made in France no less, the frames sparked an interest, one that would evolve into a life-long love.  Today, that archive forms the heart of a design empire that merges vintage soul with modern technical mastery. Andre Montana’s Eyewear is one that honours craftsmanship, steers away from the disposable and celebrates what it means to see and be seen.

Delna Mistry Anand: You were formally trained as an engineer. How did that background shape your approach to eyewear?

Andre Montana: My training taught me how to design anything, from surgical instruments to clasps of a luxury handbag. I worked on precision systems where there was zero margin for error, and that discipline stayed with me. At one point, I was even tasked with designing eyewear frames from a functional standpoint. Something clicked and I thought, what if I combined this technical mastery with the emotional depth of vintage design? That’s when I started refurbishing vintage pieces, reimagining their structure without losing their soul, and passion became a profession almost organically.

So the idea for your brand was born out of restoring the past?

Exactly! I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel, all I wanted to preserve what was already extraordinary. For me, these weren’t just accessories, they were pieces of history. I began sourcing old stock from Italy, France, Germany; frames that had been forgotten in attics and factories. I’d refurbish the exterior, strengthen the structure and bring them back to life. That’s how Vintage Eyewear was born. Later, I launched my own brand - Andre Montana, because I wanted to create heirlooms from scratch - not moments of fashion, but future classics that live on.

You’ve said before that you don’t follow trends. In a world obsessed with what’s “next,” that feels refreshing, and quite bold too.

Trends are not appealing to me. I design for the moment after the trend has passed, when only the real essence remains. My work isn’t seasonal, I don’t do fad shapes or colours. Every piece I create is designed to last, not just physically, but emotionally. The best frame is the one that feels like it’s always belonged to you, even before you found it.

And you’re deeply involved in every single piece?

Yes, every single one. Nothing leaves the workshop without a final thorough inspection from me. Whether it's a one-of-one vintage refurbishment or a numbered limited edition from Andre Montana, I'm involved from concept to finish. That’s the promise I make to my collectors.

Your designs are made in both Japan and South Korea, any specific reason why those two regions?

Because of craftsmanship. You see, Japan is unmatched in terms of precision and excellence, and South Korea has this beautiful balance of innovation and tradition. I work with two specialist factories, both are family-run, and absolutely obsessed with detail. They understand that we’re not just making eyewear, but so much more. This is what I love and completely align with.

The emotional narrative behind your pieces really stands out. Where does that inspiration come from?

Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. I could be walking past a rusted railing in Lisbon, or watching a film from the ’70s, and my mind is always translating stories into frames. I never switch off, honestly. I’m constantly thinking, How would this line, this texture, this feeling translate on the face?

Tell us a bit about your values in regard to materials and sustainability?

We never use materials that involve animal cruelty, that’s non-negotiable. Any animal product we use like pieces of buffalo horn, are ethically sourced, and do not hurt or kill the animal. We mostly work with premium acetate, surgical steel and sustainable plating. I believe beauty should never come at the cost of another life.