Lapima

Heavy Italian acetate sculpted into the winding concrete forms of São Paulo architecture.

The Story

Gisela and Gustavo Assis founded Lapima in 2016 in São Paulo. The brand arose as a direct response to the decline of Brazilian manufacturing. During that era, neoliberal trade policies forced domestic production to migrate toward lower-cost Asian hubs. Surviving local factories shifted to cheap, petroleum-based injection-moulded plastics. The founders chose to revitalise the country's lost heritage of high-end, hand-carved acetate. They bypassed modern industrial grids by scavenging scrap yards for vintage 1960s machinery. These heavy-duty analogue machines allow for deep, volumetric carves that contemporary facilities cannot achieve.

The name Lapima draws from an intimate family anecdote. Their eldest son, Guga, pronounced the Portuguese phrase "lá em cima"—"up there"—as "Lapima" when he was two, and the word stuck. This playful origin anchors a brand of commanding, sculptural presence. Today, the in-house atelier employs a community of local artisans. Every frame undergoes a rigorous 28-step production protocol. This workflow constitutes a true "neo-craft" synthesis. It merges digital precision with manual soul. Designs begin as hand-drawn paper sketches. These are then converted into 3D software renderings to calculate exact weight distribution and visual balance before the first cut is made.

Gustavo Assis translates his architectural passions into every frame. He draws inspiration from the sinuous curves of Oscar Niemeyer. These lines mirror the undulating mountains of Petrópolis and the lush Atlantic Forest. Lapima designs discard the rigid right angle in favour of organic fluidity. They echo the weightless elegance of Niemeyer’s Casa Cavanelas, where the concrete structure seems to barely touch the ground. The result is an invitation to individuality that turns the Brazilian landscape into a collectible design object.

The Boards Collection Gustavo has been an avid surfer since the late 1980s. This distinct line reinterprets the design language of surfboards and skateboards through a luxury lens. The Stephanie and Coco models feature winged, cat-eye silhouettes. These shapes cite the swallowtail forms of classic "fish" surfboards. In contrast, the limited-edition Andy model references 1990s aerodynamic sports eyewear. It is sculpted entirely from heavy acetate to evoke speed and sensorial motion. Each piece translates the performance-driven energy of board culture into a static, architectural form.

Materials & Craft

• 100% plant-based Mazzucchelli 1849 cellulose acetate: High-grade Italian bioplastic derived from wood pulp and cotton linters.
• German titanium hardware by OBE: Premium hinges and internal components ensuring permanent structural balance and durability.
• Essilor lenses from France: Elite optics featuring specialised anti-reflective treatments and 100% UV protection.
• High-speed cotton wheels: Used for an intensive hand-polishing process — up to 30 minutes per pair — to achieve a deep, lustrous finish.
• Birch wood pegs: Employed within abrasive tumbling barrels to create a uniform base texture before hand-finishing.
• Restored vintage 1960s machinery: Heavy-duty analogue equipment used to achieve the brand’s signature three-dimensional carves.

Signature Style

The Lapima aesthetic centres on sculptural three-dimensionality. The brand utilises ultra-thick blocks of premium Italian acetate. It treats eyewear as a solid mass to be sculpted rather than a flat accessory. This creates a dynamic interplay between light and shadow. Deep geometric carves and raised edges interact with the surrounding environment, turning a functional item into a work of art.

The target audience includes individuals who treat eyewear as wearable architecture or collectible design objects. These wearers value the intersection of artisanal labour and modernist form. Despite the visual mass, the frames remain perfectly balanced. Artisans apply calculated interior carves to the frames. This ensures the oversized volumes contour comfortably to the wearer's face without feeling heavy.

Signature models define this vision. The Carlota features deeply sloped eye-rims for a natural facial fit. The Lisa offers an oversized square silhouette that emphasises the brand’s focus on volume. The Mica optical frame displays sculpted positive and negative surfaces. These accented edges create a sensual, feminine character that remains lightweight for daily use.

Frequently Asked

What is the price range for Lapima frames?

Pricing on request — contact The Oculus for a quote.

How long does it take to receive a finished pair?

Typically 2–3 weeks from prescription to collection.

How should I care for my Lapima frames over time?

The organic acetate allows for manual polishing to restore its original lustre. The Oculus can also re-adjust the frames to maintain their custom fit.

Are these oversized frames comfortable for smaller faces?

Yes. The frames feature sloped edges and calculated interior carves that allow the oversized volume to contour comfortably to the wearer's face.

What makes the acetate different from standard plastic frames?

Lapima uses 100% plant-based Mazzucchelli acetate derived from cotton and wood pulp. This is a higher quality, hypoallergenic material compared to petroleum-based plastics.

How are the frames actually constructed?

Each pair follows a 28-step process. It begins with 3D digital software to calculate balance and concludes with intensive hand-sculpting and polishing by local artisans.

Can I get Lapima frames as both sunglasses and optical glasses?

Yes. The brand offers collections in both categories, often featuring specialised gradient colours inspired by Brazilian biomes.

Are these frames associated with any notable figures?

Lapima frames are worn by international tastemakers including Cate Blanchett, Lady Gaga, Kelly Rutherford, and Fernanda Torres.

What is the brand’s stance on sustainability?

The brand focuses on using renewable natural resources like cotton and wood pulp while providing stable employment to a community of over 20 local artisans.

Why does The Oculus stock Lapima?

We value Lapima’s ability to turn the vibrant Brazilian landscape into something you can wear every day. It captures the Bossa Nova spirit and the happy-go-lucky culture of the Brazilian people. Each pair serves as an invitation to poetic adventure and a celebration of modernist beauty.

Related at The Oculus

• Anne et Valentin — An optician-founded brand that shares Lapima's dedication to bold, geometric shapes and expressive colour palettes.
• Kuboraum — These frames are designed as "masks" and share the Lapima vision of eyewear as a piece of hand-carved, wearable sculpture.
• Theo — An avant-garde Belgian brand that utilises architectural principles to create playful, high-concept designs.