New worlds…
You're a superfan of eyewear and think you have a pretty good idea of how it’s made. You work in tech, you understand complex systems, you're pretty good at looking at things and having some idea about how they are made... but then, you step into a new world, a new creative universe, and realize how much you simply didn't know. Today, that revelation came in the form of materials, specifically acetate. Mind. Blown. Now! Later will take care of itself. It always does.
I knew nothing about acetate. Zero. Zilch. It sounds so… manufactured. So plastic? So, imagine my surprise when our instructor, the incredibly sweet and wonderfully Italian Barbara from Mazzucchelli, introduced us to its true origins which is a man-made fiber derived from cellulose, a natural polymer found in plants like wood pulp and cotton. My mind was officially blown. It’s not plastic, it's essentially beautiful plant matter!
Barbara, with boundless passion and fierce creativity, brought the history of Mazzucchelli to life. This family-owned company, founded in a small workshop in 1849 by Santino Mazzucchelli, started by making buttons and combs from bone and horn. Fast forward through generations, and they've become the absolute global leaders in cellulose acetate, especially for eyewear. It’s wild to think about that journey, from humble workshop to a powerhouse of material innovation.
The Art of the Layer: Why Handmade is a High Roller
Barbara walked us through the entire manufacturing process, detailing how acetate is made and, more fascinatingly, how you could use different techniques — Block, Extrusion, Tech block, Lamination, and Printing — to create wildly different effects. It’s a painstaking, artistic process that allows for incredible depth and vibrancy.
Then, she truly wowed us. She shared stories of custom collaborations with major fashion houses like Gucci. She personally designed an exclusive acetate for a breathtaking, massive Gucci frame (because, really, the bigger the better!). This custom acetate, a one-of-a-kind creation, will only ever be used for Gucci. That’s when it truly clicked for me; the incredible creativity and exclusivity involved in creating these materials. It’s why handmade eyewear isn't just "expensive", it’s a genuine investment in artistry and unique production.
Playing with Palettes and Uncovering Hidden Gems
After the theory, it was time to play! Barbara brought a treasure trove of samples, endless sheets of acetate in every conceivable color, pattern, and finish. We dove in, choosing our own color palettes for our future collections. It was exhilarating, tactile, and completely immersive. The choices felt endless, and the possibilities even more so.
We capped the day by exploring the websites of some of Barbara's (and the class's) favorite eyewear designers. She walked us through their collections, dissecting the acetates used, explaining the creation process and the complexity – or simplicity – of their creation. It was a super eye-opening day. I loved every minute of it, especially the gelato break in the afternoon. Because what's a deep dive into Italian craftsmanship without a little gelato? This world of materials is not just about fashion, it’s about history, innovation, and a whole new layer of creative problem-solving I’m just beginning to understand.
