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Behind the brand

Tree Spectacles: “authentic passion reflected in design and relationships”

OT spoke with Marco Barp, CEO of Tree Spectacles, about inspiration, brand evolution, and rigorous consistency

Marco is photographed in black and white. He wears a pale suit, sandals, and sits in a woven chair looking to the side. Beside him is a paper lamp and a Tree Spectacles book
Marco Barp

Marco Barp, CEO of Tree Spectacles, told OT that the brand was born from a shared vision of himself, his father, and a long-time associate.

“It is a project rooted not only in professional collaboration, but in a strong human and generational bond, built around a deep culture of product and entrepreneurship,” he explained.

Barp told OT: “The passing of my father represented an extremely difficult moment on a personal level. At the same time, however, it further strengthened the sense of responsibility and determination to carry forward this shared dream.”

“Today, Tree continues to evolve thanks to that legacy: an approach to work made of passion, dedication, and vision, which remains a fundamental part of the brand’s identity,” he added.

OT learnt more about Tree Spectacles’ latest collections and what comes next in the evolution of the brand.

What makes the company and its approach unique?

I do not strongly believe in the concept of declared uniqueness. Rather, I think what truly distinguishes Tree Spectacles is a combination of elements built over time: deep product knowledge, a solid background in production and distribution, and a concrete understanding of market dynamics.

This foundation is paired with a very direct and human approach to work. We always try to operate with respect – toward the product, partners, and the people we collaborate with – maintaining a consistent level of attention and care in every phase of the process.

What is often recognised in us is precisely the energy we put into what we do: an authentic passion that is reflected not only in design, but also in relationships and in the way we build the brand as a whole.

What is the latest collection you launched and what makes it distinctive?

The latest collection, presented in January 2026, fits into an evolutionary path the brand has been pursuing for several seasons. The guiding principle is very clear: evolution, not revolution. Tree Spectacles does not work through drastic breaks, but through continuous progressions, where each collection represents a refinement of the existing language.

This translates into very precise work on shapes, proportions, materials, and colour palettes. Minimalism remains the central point, but it is constantly pushed towards greater sophistication: cleaner surfaces, more balanced proportions, and increasingly refined colour combinations.

What distinguishes the collection is precisely this rigorous consistency – a refined minimalism, never static, that evolves season after season while maintaining a clear and recognisable identity.

What are the company’s main ambitions for the next 12 months?

Our ambitions have always been very high. We are driven by an emotional and passionate component that leads us to imagine important milestones and to constantly push ourselves further.

At the same time, however, this drive is balanced by an extremely concrete approach. Over the next 12 months, the main goal is to continue consolidating what we have built, strengthening the foundations of the brand, and bringing every aspect to an even higher level. I strongly believe in a path of continuous improvement – working every day to refine product, language, and processes, always maintaining a clear direction.

Are there new projects in development that customers should be aware of?

We always have a very large number of ideas in development, often more than can be introduced in a single season. For this reason, one of the most important aspects of our work is selection: deciding what to develop and when, while maintaining a coherent balance. We prefer to build the brand progressively, allowing each collection to add a new layer to the overall language.

The next summer capsule, for example, will introduce a brighter and more dynamic palette compared to the deeper tones of the latest collection, while remaining perfectly aligned with the brand’s identity.

What inspires your work?

There is no single source of inspiration. My process is open and feeds on very different stimuli. From design to architecture, from fashion to photography, from cinema to books.

Growing up in Italy means being immersed in a widespread beauty that inevitably educates the eye. At the same time, inspiration can come from a trip, a shop window, or even from projects developed years earlier. It is something very instinctive, almost physical – when it arrives it is clearly felt and becomes the starting point for creative development.

A black and gold frame and a blue-grey frame are each arranged to be half in the shot
Tree Spectacles

What are the key trends you expect in the coming months?

The market continues to be strongly oriented toward acetate, although early signs of a return in metal are beginning to emerge, as often happens cyclically.

From an aesthetic point of view, colour will continue to play a central role, but in a more sophisticated way, with more refined tones, subtler and less predictable combinations.

For segments like ours, colour remains a fundamental tool for introducing evolution while maintaining consistency.

What are the main external challenges you see in the industry?

One of the main challenges today is the search for stability in a market that is not strongly expanding. This leads to an increasingly evident selection between companies that operate at a high level and those that are unable to sustain certain standards. The market requires increasing professionalism at all levels. It is not a matter of size, but of quality of work, processes and vision. It is a natural evolution of the sector, pushing toward overall higher quality.

What are the biggest opportunities you currently see?

Opportunities are always there, but they are rarely obvious. There are no shortcuts: the market must be built day-by-day. There is often a tendency to look far away, when in reality opportunities are already close – in improving what is already being done and in consolidating one’s positioning.

For me, opportunities arise from discipline, humility, and consistency. It is a progressive path, made of attention to detail and continuous care, where every step contributes to building real value.