Lucas de Stael

Organic matter transformed into optical art born in a Parisian workshop.

The Story

The narrative of Lucas de Staël is one of calculated rebellion against the mass-produced. While the eponymous brand was officially established in 2012, the foundations were laid in 2006 when Lucas de Staël launched Undostrial, a venture that first signaled his intent to disrupt traditional manufacturing. Seeking a sanctuary that mirrored his uncompromising creative vision, he bypassed the polished boutiques of central Paris for the raw, industrious energy of the 19th arrondissement. Here, within the hollowed-out shell of an old printing factory, he materialised a genuine hub for creation. This is no mere assembly line; it is an experimental laboratory where the standard conventions of the optical industry are systematically ignored.

The workshop is populated by a specialised collective of designers, jewellers, and artists who share a common goal: the alchemy of matter. Because the brand’s ambitions often exceed the capabilities of standard optical equipment, these artisans are frequently tasked with developing their own proprietary tools and methods. This hands-on ethos ensures that every frame is a testament to technical ingenuity. The production follows an intricate European circuit designed for absolute precision. The journey begins with high-quality surgical stainless steel that is expertly cut in Italy. These components then travel to the Paris workshop to be hand-welded by the team before being sent to Germany to be coloured. Finally, the frames return to the Paris centre, where the delicate application of organic veneers completes the transformation from industrial skeleton to wearable sculpture.

This meticulous approach is defined by its refusal to rush. It takes an average of 31 separate steps to produce a single frame, and the complexity of the materials requires such focus that the workshop maintains a strict limitation of only three frames per day per artisan. This slow, deliberate pace has earned the house international acclaim, starting with the Silmo d'Or win in 2014. The brand continues to push the boundaries of the medium, most recently evidenced by the 2025 Silmo d'Or nomination for the "Zeppelin 27" frame. By treating eyewear as an artifact rather than a commodity, the workshop ensures that every piece leaving the 19th arrondissement is a unique triumph of artisanal engineering.

The Alchemy of Matter

The brand is defined by a unique marriage of industrial surgical steel and organic surfaces. By fusing cold steel skeletons with vibrant natural matter, the workshop creates a tactile experience that defies the expectations of luxury eyewear. The artisans materialise their dreams by layering genuine goat leather, cowhide, and thinly sliced wood over metal cores to soften the industrial aesthetic. They further push the envelope by incorporating stone—specifically granite—into their designs. This experimental approach received its ultimate validation in 2014 when the brand won the SILMO D'OR, proving that the fusion of raw mineral and precision metal was a viable new frontier in optical design.

Materials & Craft

• Surgical stainless steel skeletons
• Genuine goat and cowhide leather veneers
• Thinly sliced stone and granite layers
• Hand-applied organic wood inlays
• Italian-cut steel components
• Hand-welded frames from the Parisian 19th arrondissement

Signature Style

Lucas de Staël frames are best characterised as optical art. Through collections such as Minotaure, Vivarium, and Once Upon a Time, the brand demonstrates an unparalleled ability to turn functional vision aids into three-dimensional sculptures. The aesthetic is architectural yet raw, stripping away the artificiality of plastic to showcase the honest beauty of the natural world.

The wearer of these frames is someone who prioritises the tactile experience of their eyewear. They are drawn to the sharp contrast between the cold, unyielding feel of surgical steel and the organic warmth of leather, wood, or granite. The Minotaure collection offers the supple grip of leather, while the Once Upon a Time series highlights the intricate grain of hand-applied wood.

Ultimately, the feel of the eyewear is the result of unrestrained experimentation. Because the team functions as a laboratory of artists and jewellers, the frames possess a level of detail that mass production cannot achieve. The result is precision eyewear that functions as sculpture, bridging the gap between high-end jewellery and structural engineering.

Frequently Asked

How much do Lucas de Staël frames cost?

Pricing on request — contact The Oculus for a quote.

How long will it take to receive my completed order?

Typically 2–3 weeks from prescription to collection.

Can these frames be repaired if they are damaged?

The frames are handmade in a Parisian workshop, allowing for artisanal adjustment and repair by skilled craftsmen.

What sizes are available for these handmade frames?

Frames are produced in various dimensions to ensure a proper fit, such as the 53-18-132 sizing found in the Once Upon a Time wood and metal collection.

What makes the leather and stone materials stay on the frame?

The workshop uses a specialised, proprietary process to fuse genuine goat leather, cowhide, or stone layers directly onto the surgical steel skeletons.

What is the significance of the "31 steps" mentioned in the brand's production?

This refers to the intensive 31-step process required to manufacture a single frame, which includes Italian cutting, hand-welding, and meticulous hand-finishing.

Are these frames available as sunglasses?

Yes, frames from collections like Vivarium or Once Upon a Time can be fitted with either sun tints or prescription lenses.

Has the brand received any formal recognition for its design work?

Lucas de Staël won the 2014 Silmo d'Or for design and was recently nominated for the 2025 Silmo d'Or for the "Zeppelin 27" frame.

Who actually makes the frames in the Paris workshop?

The frames are produced in an experimental laboratory by a collective of designers, jewellers, and artists who develop their own tools.

Why does The Oculus choose to stock Lucas de Staël?

We value the brand’s refusal to use traditional materials, choosing instead to treat eyewear as matter transformed into art.

Related at The Oculus

• Mykita — For those who appreciate the same precision engineering and "made under one roof" ethos.
• Rolf — A fellow master of organic materials, focusing on high-tech wood construction.
• Anne et Valentin — Another French house that prioritises bold, artistic design and boutique manufacturing.