# Balmain eyewear at Opticnet

Balmain eyewear is made in Japan. The collection was relaunched in 2020 with the Swiss house Akoni and is designed together with Olivier Rousteing, the house's creative director. The materials are titanium and Japanese acetate, and the signature is the metalwork: decisive lines and gold detailing that quote Pierre Balmain's medallions and gilded buttons. Akoni's chief executive has said the brand will never be sold in more than two thousand stores worldwide, which is part of why you do not see it everywhere.

Balmain is a Paris couture house, founded in 1945 by Pierre Balmain, known for glamorous, structured and confident clothes. Its eyewear carries the same spirit into something you can wear every day.

The frames lean into strong metalwork and clean Art Deco lines, with the house's labyrinth style B built into the design rather than pasted on top. Today Balmain eyewear is handmade in Japan from top grade materials, sitting firmly at the luxury end of the market.

These are glasses for someone who wants a frame with real presence, made to the standard of a French fashion house.

## Balmain collections we keep

- **Brigade I**: Round titanium sunglasses, the model that opened the line.
- **Brigade IV**: Oval outline, made both as sunglasses and as an optical frame.
- **Brigade V**: Titanium optical frame with a rectangular line, 56-17-140.
- **Saint Jean**: Square titanium optical frame.
- **Capitaine**: Sunglasses with a large lens and a narrow bridge, a statement frame.
- **Pierre**: Acetate optical frame with a clean rectangular line.

## Choosing Balmain in 2026

Balmain is for anyone who wants a frame with real couture presence. Look for sharp Art Deco lines, strong metalwork, and the labyrinth B built into the design. Rectangular and geometric shapes flatter oval and square faces; bolder pieces suit evening and statement wear.

What sets Balmain apart is Japanese finishing - handmade, top materials, and precise weight. This is not a quiet brand; it declares style, but with fashion-house precision.

For 2026 gold, black and brushed silver lead. Try it in store next to a quieter brand - the difference in presence is immediate. Luxury stock rotates; book a visit or message us and we will prepare frames to try.

## Questions about Balmain

### Where is Balmain eyewear made?

In Japan. Akoni, which holds the licence, produces the collection in two Japanese cities with craftsmen who have decades of experience. The main materials are titanium and Japanese acetate, and many models combine both in one frame.

### What is the difference between the BPS and BPX references?

In practice BPS references are sunglasses and BPX references are optical frames. It is not spelled out in an official specification, but it holds consistently across the catalogue. Note that one design, Brigade IV for example, can appear in both, so it is worth confirming which version you are after.

### Are Balmain titanium frames heavy?

No. Even on models with generous metalwork, titanium keeps the weight down, which is exactly what allows a large, present frame that does not press on the nose. On the biggest shapes, such as Capitaine with its 62 mm lens, how the frame sits matters more than the weight, and that is what we adjust at the fitting.

### Can you order a Balmain model that is not in the boutique?

Yes, we order specific pieces on request. If you have seen a model, send us the name or the reference on WhatsApp and we will check availability and lead time with the supplier.

## Where to buy

Opticnet is an authorized dealer for Balmain. Visit the boutique at Hei Be'Iyar 58, Kikar HaMedina, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, call +972-3-546-6180, or message WhatsApp +972-58-546-6182.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 10:30-18:00, Fri 10:00-13:00.