FEB31st Wooden Eyewear: Born in Bergamo, Available at Respectacle
We’ve always had a soft spot for eyewear that goes beyond the ordinary and stands out from the crowd. And if it’s sustainable and customisable, we’re drawn to it even more. Italian eyewear brand FEB31st fits that description perfectly. Crafted with personality, eco-conscious materials, and timeless Italian craftsmanship, FEB31st redefines what it means to wear glasses, combining style, innovation, and sustainability in every frame.
Just two years after their first collection launched in 2011, FEB31st won ‘Frame of the Year’ at the 2013 Optician Awards. More recently, in 2024, the brand won the ‘Best Innovation Award’ in the 2024 Love Eyewear Awards at 100% Optical.
We’re proud to showcase the muti-award-winning FEB31st here at Respectacle Company Opticians in Market Harborough. But to understand what makes FEB31st special, we need to explore the story behind the innovative eyewear brand.
FEB31st eyewear was born in Bergamo, Italy, a city nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Known for its blend of medieval charm and modern design, Bergamo provides the perfect backdrop for a company that’s been transforming the world of sustainable eyewear since 2011
FEB31st’s Vision for Unique, Handcrafted Eyewear
One thing’s for certain – FEB31st isn’t your typical eyewear company. The name itself is a playful nod to the impossible – a date that doesn’t exist, symbolising the eyewear brand’s commitment to breaking conventions and imagining beyond limits. From the very beginning, the brand set out to challenge the eyewear industry’s norms by crafting frames from wood, a material rarely associated with high-end optical design. But in Bergamo, where craftsmanship runs deep and innovation is a way of life, the idea took root and flourished.
Each pair of FEB31st glasses is a testament to Italian artistry. Made from FSC-certified wood, FEB31st frames are lightweight, durable, and surprisingly flexible. The brand’s signature feature is its customisability: customers can choose from over 40 colours, mix and match layers, engrave messages, and even design their own patterns. This level of personalisation transforms eyewear from a functional necessity used to correct vision into bespoke statement eyewear with depth and personality.
But FEB31st’s story is as much about the place as it is about the product. Bergamo, a city renowned for its cobbled streets, Renaissance architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, reflects a brand that values heritage and creativity. The city’s dual identity, divided between the historic Città Alta (Upper Town) and the modern Città Bassa (Lower Town), mirrors FEB31st’s own blend of traditional craftsmanship and innovative contemporary design.
At their factory in Bergamo, highly skilled artisans handcraft frames using sustainable wood and eco-conscious materials, combining centuries-old Italian artistry with cutting-edge techniques. The result is more than just eyewear – it’s wooden eyewear that embodies individuality, innovation, and responsibility. By merging heritage with modern sustainability practices, FEB31st has established itself as a leading brand in sustainable fashion and a global leader in eco-friendly glasses.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Citta Alta, Bergamo
Bergamo, Italy
Sustainability Isn’t a Buzzword at FEB31st – It’s a Way of Life
Bergamo’s influence is evident in the Italian eyewear brand’s ethos. Sustainability isn’t just a fashionable buzzword for FEB31st – it’s a commitment they passionately pursue. The company uses ethically sourced wood, minimises waste through made-to-order production, and maintains a transparent supply chain. This eco-conscious approach reflects the values of a region that not only treasures its natural beauty but also strives to protect it.
Moreover, FEB31st’s headquarters in Bergamo is more than a production site – it’s a creative hub where designers, engineers, and craftspeople collaborate in an environment that celebrates individuality and encourages experimentation. The result is a beautiful eyewear collection, thoughtfully crafted with purpose, where every frame is both stylish and meaningful.
In a world dominated by mass production and generic fashion, FEB31st offers something refreshingly different. It invites spectacle wearers to express themselves, to choose sustainability, and to connect with a story rooted in one of Italy’s most magical cities. Bergamo may be small in size, but through pioneering brands like FEB31st eyewear, it has made a big mark on the world of sustainable fashion.
Visit Respectacle to view our FEB31st collection
Handmade wooden eyewear from FEB31st
Discover FEB1st Sustainable Eyewear in Market Harborough
So, the next time you put on a pair of FEB31st frames, remember you’re not just wearing glasses – you’re embracing a story of authentic Italian craftsmanship and sustainable eyewear. Every FEB31st frame is handmade in Bergamo, a city celebrated for its history, artistry, and vision for a more beautiful and responsible world. Through their unique, bespoke wooden eyewear designs, FEB31st is a perfect example of how sustainability and fashion can go hand in hand.
What began in the foothills of the Italian Alps can now be experienced by eyewear lovers right here in Market Harborough, nearly 800 miles away. We have a selection of models on the shelf, ready for you to try. But the experience doesn’t stop there! If you are looking for something more bespoke, FEB31st frames are fully customisable – you can choose the shape, colours, and finish to design one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly eyewear that reflects your personality and individuality.
Discover FEB31st’s handcrafted sustainable eyewear in person at Respectacle Company independent opticians in Market Harborough. We’re open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm (Saturday 4pm).
Alison wearing a FEB31st frame
Tim wearing a FEB31st frame
Further reading:
How We Choose the Eyewear Brands We Stock
Respectacle Company Remains Committed to Eco-Friendly Practices and Materials
