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When Danish optometrist Poul-Jørn Lindberg realized that he needed glasses himself, he was dismayed by the heavy frames he found. That spurred him (with architect Hans Dissing) to design lightweight titanium eyewear with nothing superfluous, like screws, rivets, or welds--the patented hinges are an engineering feat. His original rimless frames, released in 1986, tip the scales at about .07 ounces. Even as the company started incorporating acetate, precious metals, gemstones, and "acetanium" (acetate reinforced with titanium; pictured at bottom), it remained true to that minimalist ideal, picking up 47 international design awards and appearing in New York's Museum of Modern Art. But it wasn't until this year that Lindberg got around to launching its first sunglasses line. Like their prescription predecessors, the men's and women's shades can be custom-fit, with temple bars made to measure and nose pads in four anatomic designs. This results in glasses so comfortable, you really do forget you're wearing them. Just watch where you set them down--a strong breeze nearly blew mine off a table.--Ann Abel, ForbesLife (.pdf) |
