Antwerp · Belgium · Since 1995
eyewitness by theo
theo's metal line: deliberately off-kilter titanium and steel frames.
The story
eye-witness appeared in the mid-1990s as theo's metal line. Its frames look rough, asymmetric or unfinished at first glance, but up close they prove precisely made. Models carry two-letter codes such as TZ, YB and YC instead of names, and early pieces were labelled by hand. The line works in titanium and stainless steel, sometimes with horn, and has served as a testbed for unusual metal techniques such as etched lace patterns. 02 People theo co-founder; designer of the eye-witness Lace model Patrick Hoet Optician-designer from the Bruges Hoet family who co-founded theo. His Hoet Design studio drew the lace-patterned eye-witness glasses for Belgium's Expo 2005 pavilion.
Look for
A contrasting metal outline or shadow that makes the frame look sketched or unfinished
- Made
- Not documented separately; theo produces most frames in the French Jura
- Owned by
- A theo line
- Frames here
- Catalogue coming
- Stores listed
- 3
- Official site
- theo.be
Where to try eyewitness by theo
3 listed stores.
- Juniper OpticalThe Annex, Toronto
9 designers: Anne et Valentin, Barton Perreira, Bevel, eyewitness by theo, Jacques Marie Mage…
- Kestrel OpticiansWestboro, Ottawa
10 designers: Anne et Valentin, eyewitness by theo, FACTORY900, LINDBERG, Lunor…
- Alder Spectacle Co.Wicker Park, Chicago
5 designers: Barton Perreira, BLAC, eyewitness by theo, Gold & Wood, Oliver Peoples