Why These Bespoke Glasses Became My Unshakable Secret to Confidence and Clarity—And Why You’ll Want a Pair Too

Ever stopped to think that the very glasses perched on your nose could be your ultimate style signature? I mean, they’re not just tools for seeing clearer—they’re the first impression, the highlight reel of your face. After dabbling with vintage frames for years, I stumbled upon Maison Bonnet in Paris, a place where glasses aren’t just made; they’re crafted as bespoke masterpieces. Imagine sitting with Steven Bonnet, the fourth-gen artisan, in a workshop buzzing with the magic of cutting, firing, and molding acetate to fit your unique facial blueprint. It’s not just about vision—it’s about owning a piece of wearable art that whispers exclusivity and character. So, what if your glasses could be more than a necessity—could they actually become your personal brand? Here’s the story of how I found my forever frames, inspired by legends like Le Corbusier, and why I wouldn’t change a single curve or contour. LEARN MORE

I’ve been wearing glasses since college. I’ve had vintage pairs here and there, but a few years ago I heard about Maison Bonnet in Paris, which makes bespoke eyeglasses. They’ve done glasses for Saint Laurent, Le Corbusier, I.M. Pei—you know, famous glasses wearers.

The idea of having a pair of glasses that was uniquely mine became really appealing. It’s a significant investment, but I wear them every day, so it felt worth it. Glasses define your visual presentation. It’s often what people see first, you know?

So I made an appointment with Steven Bonnet, who’s the fourth generation of the family, and met with him at the shop at the Palais Royal. He looked at my face—scrutinized it—as we talked. It’s a funny process. Although having someone stare at you intently like that is a luxury, it’s also somewhat off-putting. But he was gentle and lovely. I tried on a bunch of frames. He made modifications based on my feedback, and then he drew out a frame for me. A few months later, I went in for my fitting. You go into this subterranean workshop where they’re cutting acetate and firing and melting. You sit with them and they shift this and play with that until it fits perfectly.

The stems of my glasses are the same as on Le Corbusier’s glasses. And the frame was adapted to my facial structure, like rounding out the eye shape. They even engraved a B on the inside of the stem for me. It’s amazing to have a pair that I know nobody else is walking around with.

Even if I were to get new glasses, I wouldn’t change anything. It’s odd, the idea of landing on something and staying with it. I think of myself as moving with the ebbs and flows of style. But this has become my distinctive eyeglass shape that will be the same from now until … the end, I guess.

Photograph by Florence Sullivan
Sittings editor: Crystal Okonkwo
Grooming: Devra Kinery

This story appears in the September 2025 issue of Esquire
SUBSCRIBE