We are delighted to welcome Hemp Eyewear to the Frame Room this month. Proudly unconventional: the materials, the process, the design and the look. This is such an exciting brand on so many levels.
Firstly, they are made right here in Edinburgh! We are committed to supporting independent, artisan designers and the fact Hemp is local is even better.
Secondly, they are made from one of the most beautiful and sustainable materials on earth. Hemp.
Thirdly, they look fabulous. We know the designs will be incredibly popular with our stylish, fashion-forward customers.
The Hemp story
Product designer Sam Whitten founded Hemp Eyewear in Scotland after discovering the incredible properties and potential of hemp. Sam saw an opportunity to take on a market that relies more heavily on logos and advertising, than on craftsmanship and design.
Sam and his team are hardworking and innovative, living proof that you can enjoy something luxurious whilst still being responsible.
The production process
So how on earth do they make glasses from hemp, a product many of us are used to putting in our superfood smoothies? Their hemp comes from France. The raw fibre is transformed into a strong, yet lightweight material using eco-conscious technology and specialised machinery. It’s as clean as it gets: the only byproduct of the process is water vapour.
Because it’s a natural material, each Hemp frame is one-of-a-kind. Craftsmen spend weeks transforming the processed material into eyewear frames, before adding a v-groove for the lenses, and using a special router to cut our two trademark grooves into each frame.
They complete the hemp element of the frames by sanding them for hours using wet and dry paper, achieving a smooth, comfortable and beautiful-looking finish.
Every single screw, rivet and hinge is marked, drilled and attached by hand. They only use precision-engineered components made from the best materials: if it's not made from hemp then it's made from the highest grade titanium to ensure long-lasting performance and quality.
Now that is responsible craftsmanship at its finest.
We are delighted to showcase Hemp Eyewear at the Frame Room. They deserve to do well and we hope that Hemp Eyewear takes off in Edinburgh and beyond. Come and see for yourself.