George Clarke: “As a designer, I see frames almost like wearable art”

It wasn’t always this way, however, after a chance sight test revealed he required spectacles. He admitted: “I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about wearing frames, but over time that completely changed.”

Clarke spoke to OT about how streetwear culture influences his style, the role colour plays in his choices, and designing for the William Morris London 30^th anniversary collection.

How many pairs of spectacles or sunglasses do you own?

I have a very large collection of both optical frames and sunglasses, as I love selecting eyewear that complements different outfits and moods. Styling has always been a huge part of who I am creatively, so I see eyewear as an extension of fashion rather than just something functional.

I often choose frames depending on the overall look I’m putting together, whether that’s a bold statement sunglass or a more refined optical style. I’m also constantly working on bespoke concepts and custom designs to cater to my own unique design ideas and creative direction, so my collection is always evolving.

What frame shapes, colours, or styles do you usually go for?

I’m very open when it comes to shapes, colours and styles. Because I have more petite facial features, I naturally gravitate towards rounder shapes as I feel they balance my face well, but I also enjoy experimenting with oversized and more fashion-led silhouettes.

Colour plays a huge role for me and often depends on the styling, outfit or mood I’m creating. At the moment, I’m really drawn to crystal clear acetates paired with multi-coloured lenses. I especially love incorporating prescription lenses into fashion colours because it merges functionality with individuality and gives eyewear a much more expressive feel.

Can you describe your favourite pair?

My favourite pair would have to be ‘Quays 1’, which is currently our top-selling frame in William Morris London. It took a long time to design and develop, so it’s a piece myself and the team are incredibly proud of. Every detail was carefully considered, from the structure and finish to the overall wearability and aesthetic. The frame has a strong, cool and edgy appearance while still maintaining a premium luxury feel through the finer finishes and detailing. For me, it perfectly represents the balance between fashion-forward design and commercial appeal.

Who would you pick as your style icon when it comes to eyewear?

I don’t really follow one specific muse or style icon. My inspiration comes much

more from streetwear culture and everyday style, especially London street style and the individuality you see within it. I’m inspired by how people use fashion and eyewear to express themselves authentically.

If I had to choose someone, it would probably be the late Virgil Abloh. I’ve always admired his creativity, his ability to merge luxury with streetwear, and the way his collections pushed boundaries while still feeling culturally relevant.

How long have you worn spectacles for, and what prompted you to go for your first sight test?

I’ve been wearing frames since college, so for around 18 years now. Ironically, I originally went for a sight test simply because I was offered a free eye examination and never actually believed I needed glasses. The results completely surprised me. When I was younger, I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about wearing frames, but over time that completely changed. Now, eyewear has become part of my everyday life and also a huge part of my identity both personally and professionally.

William Morris London

The ‘Quays 1’ frame

What does vision and eye health mean to you?

Vision and eye health are incredibly important to me, both from a wellbeing perspective and as someone who works within the design industry. Good vision impacts every part of daily life, from creativity and productivity to confidence and overall quality of life. I think people often underestimate the importance of regular eye tests and proper eye care until they experience issues themselves. For me, eyewear should not only look great but also support healthy vision and comfortable everyday wear. The ideal balance is combining innovative design with functionality, ensuring people feel confident while also taking care of their eye health properly.

How important is eyewear to reflecting your personality?

Eyewear plays a massive role in reflecting personality and individuality. I’ve always been a huge fan of both optical frames and sunglasses because I believe they say a lot about a person’s character, style and confidence. Beyond prescription purposes, eyewear is a form of self-expression and creativity. As a designer, I see frames almost like wearable art — they can completely change the energy of an outfit or how someone presents themselves. Certain shapes, colours and details can communicate confidence, creativity, sophistication or edge, which is why I believe people connect so personally with the frames they choose to wear.

William Morris London

Celebrating 30 years of William Morris London

What influences do you draw from in your design work?

I take inspiration from absolutely everything around me. Sometimes it can be the smallest detail, texture or colour combination that sparks an idea creatively. My inspiration doesn’t only come from eyewear — it comes from fashion, architecture, music, street culture, travel and everyday life experiences. I naturally have a very creative imagination, so when I first begin sketching concepts they are often quite experimental and conceptual. From there, I refine and evolve the ideas into something more wearable and commercially balanced while still maintaining a strong design identity.

Are there any projects you are particularly proud of?

I design across multiple eyewear brands, and I genuinely approach every project as though it were my own personal label. Because of that, I take pride in every collection and design I work on. At the moment, I’m especially excited about the work I’m doing within the William Morris London Black Label collection, as it gives me the opportunity to push my creativity further and explore more elevated, fashion-led concepts. There are some incredible new designs currently in development, and it’s rewarding being able to blend innovation, luxury detailing and commercial design all within one collection.

One project I’m particularly proud of is a new frame I have recently designed for the 30th anniversary of the William Morris London collection. The design is very unique and incorporates bespoke monogram detailing to celebrate the heritage and identity of the brand while still feeling modern and fashion-forward. It has been an exciting project creatively, as it allowed me to focus on premium craftsmanship and distinctive detailing.

What are your top three tips for selecting the right pair of frames?

1. Quality is everything. You want frames that are well-made, durable and designed to last for everyday wear
2. Comfort is equally important. If a frame feels comfortable and fits correctly, it naturally gives the wearer more confidence because they feel good in what they’re wearing
3. Colour choice is key. Colour can dramatically change the feel of a frame and can complement skin tone, eye colour and personal style in many different ways. The right colour can elevate a frame from simply functional to something truly fashion-forward.