You don’t need 20/20 vision to see that Morgenthal Frederics is a standout in the eyewear space. A true visionary—pun intended—the New York heritage brand with German roots has been making some of the best spectacles in the world for more than a century. “We are very proud of our over-a-century-long expertise in opticianry,” says Glenn Reisch, President of Morgenthal Frederics. “Founded in 1913 in Manhattan as Frederics Opticians and then renamed Morgenthal Frederics in 1986 under optician and designer Richard Morgenthal, our long history translates directly to the exceptional service and products we provide today across 13 boutiques plus online shop.”
What truly makes Morgenthal Frederics a standout is their iconic buffalo horn frames, a material they began working with in 2006. “This natural material gave us the opportunity to offer our clients something truly special,” Reisch says. “The beauty of horn is that because it’s a natural material, each piece is unique unto itself. Totally one-of-a-kind, beautifully unique and exceptionally lightweight. Plus, in the hands of a professional, each frame is completely adjustable for a perfect fit. We find our horn clientele have become collectors because it’s difficult to find other glasses that are as comfortable and beautiful.”
The horn bar at the Morgenthal Frederics boutique in SoHo in New York City
This unique material has helped Morgenthal Frederics hone their artisanal approach to eyewear. “Few brands can work with the horn material on our level because it requires such deep expertise and dedication,” Reisch says. “When our designers first start with new design ideas like hand carvings, cut outs or vibrant colors achieved through an intricate vegetable dye process, it’s often the first time it’s ever been explored. Our artisans are true artists and masters of the craft. At the hands of our expert opticians, many of whom have been working with us for decades, the fit of the eyewear and the precision of vision correction is unmatched.”
For an even more elevated take, Morgenthal Frederics offers a custom horn program for a truly bespoke eyewear experience. “What is so special about horn is that the material is created first,” Reisch says. “Each horn frame begins with a unique design. Our designers then work with that very specific material for each individual frame. Each frame is created over months of work, compiling layers of the material (with at least eight layers of horn and up to 20) into an artful masterpiece.” Artisans spend hundreds of hours carving, sculpting and pressing the frames, which are then styled and fit by expert opticians at their boutiques.
Frames from the Sabyasachi x Morgenthal Frederics collection
Morgenthal Frederics pioneered natural and sustainable materials, including working with horn. “The entire process is done in the most eco-conscious way possible,” Reisch says. “The factory in Germany is fully wind- and water-powered. All waste from the horn frames is used as fertilizer in the vineyards around the factory. No animals are harmed in the process because we only use Indian water buffalo after they live a full and natural life cycle. The result is truly one-of-a-kind eyewear and the fact that we are able to do it in such a sustainable manner is a point of great pride for the brand.”
Each horn piece is cut and polished by hand in Germany. They also feature fine acetate and pure titanium in their eyewear designs which are made by hand by generations of artisans in Japan. “Horn is a beautiful natural material that when hand shaped, creates textures and colors unlike anything else,” Reisch says. “As a result, each is truly one of a kind—no two are the same. Beyond the gorgeous aesthetic, horn glasses are also the lightest and most comfortable pair you’ll own.”
A pair of round horn glasses from the Morgenthal Frederics limited-edition Lifesaver collection
To celebrate 35 years of their iconic Lifesaver frames, they released limited-edition horn frames with unique mother of pearl detailing that’s never been seen before. Collaborations are also a cornerstone of Morgenthal Frederics. They recently partnered with Indian luxury fashion house Sabyasachi on a collection. “We are always excited about working with partners—in fact, we are still beaming after our highly successful collaboration with the fashion house and global creative force, Sabyasachi,” Reisch says. “The future holds endless potential as we will continue to explore what’s possible in eyewear and push boundaries.”
But for Reisch, it’s the unique design of Morgenthal Frederics frames that inspired people to experiment with their aesthetic and style that is most rewarding. “I love knowing that we make people feel great about their eyewear by creating one-of-a-kind pieces that enable our clients to express themselves and see better too!” he says. “Being able to introduce a life-enhancing product to someone is truly a source of pride for the brand. Eyewear and vision are so essential in our lives. The right glasses provide ease of wear, clarity of vision and confidence of style—truly transformative.
Frames from the Sabyasachi x Morgenthal Frederics collection
“With such a unique product, we love the personal expression that horn eyewear inspires,” Reisch says. “We often say we help people amplify their individuality and that’s a big design focus for us. From classic to bold styling, horn eyewear satisfies everyone’s perspective. Horn eyewear is for anyone who wants to experience the finest eyewear material in the world. It’s for people who value handcrafted pieces and want a modern heirloom that is very special and unique.”
