“Creating my own eyewear brand has been a long-time dream”

A new brand of eyewear, designed in Wales and handcrafted in a small village in Southern Italy, has entered independent practices.

Frankie’s Eyewear has launched with a focus on stylish and standout frames that cater to a wider range of bridge sizes.

Francesca Oak, founder of the brand, has drawn from her experiences in optics to design eyewear with the needs of patients in mind.

Oak has almost a decade of experience in optics, telling OT: “I began my career in a busy city centre optical chain and later transitioned to a small independent in a close-knit community down the Gower, Swansea, where I still work as an optical assistant full time.”

With a love for clothes and accessories, Oak explained that she naturally gravitated towards styling patients, sharing: “Helping patients feel confident and fabulous in their eyewear is something that’s always brought me so much joy.”

When the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic brought “unexpected time to reflect and explore ideas,” Oak began sketching eyewear designs and connecting with manufacturers.

Oak said: “My vision was clear: to create limited-edition capsule collections that stood apart from fleeting trends – focusing instead on timeless, staple pieces that blend bold design with everyday wearability with unmatched quality.”

The frames are handcrafted in Southern Italy using a Mazzucchelli acetate and five barrel hinges.

Commenting on the production of the frames, Oak said: “Quality was non-negotiable for me – I wanted the frames to not only look amazing but feel luxurious and last. One of the most consistent things we hear is how beautifully made they are, which makes me so proud.”

Ahead of the launch, Oak took the final prototypes of the first collection to 100% Optical.

“I received overwhelmingly positive feedback from so many – we had multiple pre-orders and many exciting leads,” she said.

Frankies Eyewear is exclusively available through independent practices, with the first collection already in place in a number of sites across the UK.

Working solely with independent practices was a deliberate decision, Oak said, “that adds to the brand’s sense of individuality and exclusivity.”

She added: “I wanted to create something special that opticians would be proud to stock and patients would be proud to wear.”

Reflecting on the journey to launching the brand, Oak told OT: “Starting Frankie’s while working full-time and planning a wedding has definitely kept me busy. It has taken every spare moment, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Creating my own eyewear brand has been a long-time dream, and seeing it finally come to life has been surreal in the best way.”