Italian craftsmanship, extraordinary materials and a completely different approach to eyewear design. Discover the latest independent collection to join Occhiali.
There are certain eyewear collections that stop us in our tracks. Collections that make us look a little closer and remind us why we fell in love with independent eyewear in the first place.
FABOOR is one of those collections.
At the end of September, we travelled to Paris for SILMO, one of the world's leading international eyewear exhibitions. It's an opportunity for us to discover new designers, reconnect with the brands we love and explore what's happening in the world of independent eyewear.
Amongst the hundreds of collections on display, one in particular caught our attention.
From the moment we discovered FABOOR, we fell in love with it. The sculptural silhouettes, the extraordinary attention to detail, the innovative use of materials. There was something about this collection that felt completely different to anything we'd seen before and we knew almost immediately that it was something we wanted to bring to Occhiali.
And now, we're incredibly excited to announce that FABOOR will soon be joining our boutique here in Cupar, with Occhiali becoming the very first UK stockist of this extraordinary Italian eyewear collection.
A Different Kind of Italian Eyewear
Born in the Veneto region of northern Italy, FABOOR is the creation of Manfroi Activity, a family-run engineering company with decades of experience in precision manufacturing.
Rather than approaching eyewear from a conventional fashion perspective, FABOOR brings together expertise in engineering, technology and craftsmanship to create something altogether different.
Even the name itself is rooted in this philosophy, drawing inspiration from the concept of Homo Faber - the human as maker, someone who creates through the combination of imagination, knowledge and skill.
Although FABOOR is a relatively new name in the world of independent eyewear, the collection has been a long time in the making.
Considerable time has been dedicated to developing, refining and perfecting its designs before introducing them to the world. Rather than rushing to launch, the team behind FABOOR wanted to ensure that every element of the collection was exactly as they envisioned it.
And it's something we could appreciate from the moment we first held the frames in our hands.
You can see it in the intricacy of the designs, the precision of the construction and the beautifully considered details. You can feel it in the quality of the frames themselves, their finish and the way they sit on the face.
There's something particularly refreshing about discovering a young brand with such a clear identity and such an evident commitment to getting things right.
The result is eyewear that feels as much like a piece of contemporary design as it does a fashion accessory.
From Aerospace Engineering to Eyewear
One of the most fascinating aspects of FABOOR is the material from which its frames are crafted.
Rather than working with more traditional eyewear materials, FABOOR uses Ergal 7075, a high-performance aluminium alloy renowned for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Used in industries including aerospace and high-performance motorsport, it is a material chosen for applications where strength, precision and lightness are essential.
It's not necessarily a material you would expect to find in a pair of glasses and that's precisely what makes it so interesting.
Through highly specialised machining techniques, FABOOR is able to create intricate shapes, sculptural surfaces and remarkably fine profiles while retaining the strength of the material.
The frames are constructed using overlapping components, secured together with discreet screws rather than traditional welded joints. This allows for a fascinating interplay of layers, shapes and textures, giving the eyewear a distinctive three-dimensional quality.
What's perhaps most surprising, however, is just how lightweight the frames are.
Despite their architectural forms and often substantial appearance, FABOOR frames feel exceptionally light when worn. It's a beautiful contradiction, eyewear with a strong visual presence that doesn't feel heavy on the face.
Eyewear as a Form of Sculpture
There's something almost architectural about FABOOR.
Look closely at the frames and you'll discover unexpected angles, overlapping geometries, carefully considered proportions and sculptural details that reveal themselves differently depending on how the light falls.
These aren't simply familiar frame shapes reimagined in a different material. They represent a completely different way of thinking about eyewear design.
Some designs are bold and expressive, with striking silhouettes that immediately draw the eye. Others are more understated, revealing their complexity through subtle details and beautifully engineered finishes.
It's this attention to detail that makes FABOOR so compelling. There is a sense of intention behind every element, from the smallest technical component to the overall silhouette. These are frames that invite you to look a little closer.
Colour, Reimagined
Another fascinating aspect of FABOOR is the way in which its extraordinary colours are achieved.
Rather than applying a conventional painted finish to the frames, FABOOR uses a process known as anodisation. This electrochemical process transforms the surface of the aluminium, creating a protective oxide layer that can absorb colour.
The colour becomes integrated into the surface of the material itself, rather than simply sitting on top of it. This allows the natural character of the metal to remain visible, creating a beautifully distinctive finish with a depth and luminosity that is difficult to achieve through conventional painting.
Anodisation also enhances the durability of the aluminium, providing increased resistance to corrosion and everyday wear.
What's particularly striking about FABOOR is the way in which these finishes interact with the architectural nature of the frames. Light catches the different surfaces, angles and layers, revealing subtle variations in tone and texture as the frames move.
From rich, vibrant hues to more understated metallic finishes, colour becomes an integral part of the design rather than simply a decorative addition.
It's yet another example of how FABOOR brings together engineering and artistry, transforming an industrial process into something quite beautiful.
Why We Chose FABOOR
At Occhiali, we're always searching for eyewear that offers something genuinely different.
One of the things we love most about visiting international eyewear exhibitions is the opportunity to discover collections that challenge our expectations. Meeting the people behind the designs, hearing their stories and experiencing their eyewear first-hand is such an important part of how we curate the collections within our boutique.
When we introduce a new collection to Occhiali, it's never simply about adding more frames to our shelves. Every collection has to earn its place. It needs to bring something new to our offering, whether that's an innovative material, an interesting design philosophy, exceptional craftsmanship or a completely different aesthetic.
And that's exactly what FABOOR does.
Whilst each of our existing collections has its own distinctive identity, FABOOR brings an entirely new dimension to Occhiali. Its architectural approach to design, the innovative use of Ergal and the extraordinary precision of its construction set it apart from anything else we currently offer.
We were drawn to the originality of the collection, the thought and dedication that had gone into its development and the way it manages to balance bold design with everyday wearability.
But there's another reason why FABOOR feels particularly special to us.
Exclusivity has always been an important part of what we do at Occhiali. We love discovering independent eyewear designers whose collections aren't readily available elsewhere, giving our clients the opportunity to discover something they might never have encountered before.
We believe that choosing your eyewear should be an experience of discovery. It should be an opportunity to explore your personal style, to try something unexpected and to find a piece of design that feels uniquely yours.
Being the first boutique in the UK to introduce FABOOR is something we're incredibly proud of. It's a reflection of our ongoing commitment to bringing some of the most interesting and innovative independent eyewear collections from around the world to our little corner of Fife.
For Those Who See Things Differently
FABOOR isn't about following trends. It's about having the confidence to see things a little differently.
It's for those who appreciate the details. Those who are drawn to interesting design, who value individuality and who see their eyewear as an extension of their personal style.
You don't necessarily need to have an extravagant wardrobe to wear extraordinary glasses. In fact, sometimes the most interesting eyewear comes into its own when paired with the simplest of outfits.
A beautifully sculptural frame can transform a white shirt and jeans. An unexpected silhouette can bring an entirely new dimension to a familiar look. A carefully considered piece of eyewear can become the signature element of your personal style.
That's something we love about FABOOR. These are frames with their own identity, but it's the person wearing them who ultimately brings them to life.
Coming Soon to Occhiali
We're expecting our first FABOOR collection to arrive at Occhiali in time for Christmas, and we genuinely can't wait for you to experience it for yourselves.
Because whilst photographs can capture the extraordinary design of these frames, there's something particularly special about holding them in your hands, discovering their details and experiencing just how lightweight they are.
We hope that when you discover FABOOR for the first time, you'll feel the same excitement that we did when we first encountered the collection in Paris.
Want to be among the first to discover FABOOR?
Join The Occhiali Collective, our inner circle of eyewear enthusiasts, to be the first to hear when the collection arrives, discover what's new in the boutique and enjoy an insider's look into the world of independent eyewear.
From Paris to Cupar. Something extraordinary is coming to Occhiali, and we can't wait to share it with you.