Gentle Monster: history, design and collections of the Korean eyewear brand

Gentle Monster: history, design and collections of the Korean eyewear brand

Gentle Monster is a South Korean eyewear brand known for its oversized frames, immersive retail environments, and creative collaborations that blend fashion, art, and technology.

What is the history and identity of Gentle Monster in the eyewear industry?

Founded in Seoul in 2011 by Hankook Kim (with early investment from Jae Wook Oh), Gentle Monster gained rapid global attention with oversized frames initially tailored to the Asian market. Popularized by the drama series My Love from the Star (2013–2014), the brand expanded internationally with flagship stores in New York (2016) and Los Angeles (2017). In 2017, LVMH acquired a 7% stake for $60M. Gentle Monster's identity is reinforced by retail spaces that double as art installations.

What materials and design codes define Gentle Monster eyewear?

The brand uses acetate, metal, and hybrid compositions across its collections. Color palettes include black, white, transparent, and pastel tones. Its aesthetic signature includes oversized, sculptural shapes that are both futuristic and fashion-forward.

What collections and segments make up the Gentle Monster eyewear offer?

Alongside its core optical and sunglass lines, Gentle Monster frequently launches limited-edition capsules in collaboration with fashion brands and pop culture figures—such as Maison Margiela, Huawei, Jennie (Blackpink), Kris Wu, Cai Xukun, and Tekken 8—often with experimental or cyber-futuristic design themes.

How does Gentle Monster design and manufacture its eyewear? Is there a documented sustainability commitment?

Design is split between product teams and those responsible for retail installations, highlighting the brand’s experiential focus. Frames are manufactured in China and Daegu, South Korea, due to local restrictions on acetate production. There is no publicly documented sustainability policy.

Where and how is Gentle Monster eyewear distributed?

Gentle Monster operates 81 stores (72 outside of duty-free) across 49 cities in 14 countries and distributes through over 450 retailers in 30 countries.

What is Gentle Monster’s positioning in the eyewear market?

Gentle Monster positions itself as an experiential luxury eyewear brand that blends bold design, artistic retail, and cross-disciplinary collaborations into a strong global identity.

Ho’okipa Ultra G: Maui Jim’s Solar Innovation for Golfers

Ho’okipa Ultra G: Maui Jim’s Solar Innovation for Golfers

Ho’okipa Ultra G, Maui Jim’s latest innovation, redefines visual performance on the golf course. Designed specifically for golfers, these sunglasses combine the brand’s signature Photochromic PolarizedPlus2™ lens technology with a lightweight, sporty frame. Staying true to Maui Jim’s heritage, they deliver unmatched clarity, comfort, and protection—perfectly blending Hawaiian spirit with high-performance optics. Cutting-Edge Lens Technology […]

Gucci Eyewear Automne Hiver 2025

Gucci Eyewear Fall/Winter 2025: Effortless Elegance

The Gucci Eyewear Fall/Winter 2025 collection redefines modern sophistication through the seamless blend of heritage and innovation. Staying true to the House’s codes, Gucci offers a line of optical and sunglasses that merge timeless Italian craftsmanship with contemporary design. From sleek cat-eye silhouettes to oversized butterfly frames, the collection expresses an effortless elegance where every […]

KARL LAGERFELD Eyewear Fall-Winter 2025

KARL LAGERFELD Eyewear Fall-Winter 2025: From Paris with Love

KARL LAGERFELD Eyewear Fall-Winter 2025 stands out as a collection designed for those who blend sophistication with attitude. Anchored by the campaign “From Paris with Love,” embodied by a pop-culture icon, the line captures the brand’s urban, Parisian essence. Every pair reflects Karl’s unmistakable codes — structured shapes, signature detailing, and refined finishes that exude […]

Oakley Flow Scape Ski Goggle

Oakley Flow Scape Ski Goggle: 60% Wider Field of View

The Oakley Flow Scape ski goggle redefines what performance on the mountain looks like. Engineered for athletes who demand precision, clarity, and speed, it delivers a 60% wider field of view, setting a new benchmark in alpine vision. Behind this breakthrough lies Oakley’s Visual Performance Lab (VPL) — a research hub dedicated to understanding how […]

Balenciaga Superbusy FW25 3

Balenciaga Superbusy FW25: modular sunglasses at the forefront of design

Balenciaga presents Superbusy, a FW25 sunglasses model featuring a removable dual-layer frame assembled with screws and a snap mechanism. This mechanical construction asserts a radical approach to modularity in eyewear. What sets the Superbusy frame apart from other FW25 sunglasses? Unlike other FW25 models, Superbusy is built on a two-layer structure. A detachable secondary frame […]

FACE A FACE x Valentin Lebigot

French independent eyewear: the reference guide

French independent eyewear: beyond the slogan, this guide explains what actually changes at try-on, over months of wear, and when you need a tweak or a spare part. We clarify manufacturing claims, map the French know-how (Jura/Morez/Oyonnax, Parisian ateliers, regional hubs), and give simple, verifiable cues to judge a frame in the mirror. The goal […]

LINDBERG Precious

Lindberg Precious: Minimalist and Personalized Luxury Eyewear

LINDBERG Precious represents the pinnacle of contemporary eyewear design — a rare fusion of Danish minimalism and the world’s most refined materials. Each frame, sculpted from 18-carat gold or platinum, embodies uncompromising craftsmanship, where lightness meets artistry and personalization becomes a statement of identity. With this collection, LINDBERG redefines luxury as something discreet, timeless, and […]

Lacoste Icons FW25 Man

Lacoste Icons: between sport, style, and transparent design

Lacoste Icons marks a new chapter in the brand’s eyewear story for Fall/Winter 2025.Inspired by the house’s iconic symbols — the crocodile, the tennis ball, and the racket — this collection redefines what sporty elegance means today.The campaign celebrates clarity, balance, and authenticity through bold silhouettes and transparent finishes that let the design speak for […]

Sports Prescription Glasses - Rudy Project Turbolence

Sports Prescription Glasses: Rudy Project Unveils 4 RX Innovations

Sports prescription glasses are no longer just an accessory – they have become a key performance tool for athletes who require vision correction. In 2025, Rudy Project, the Italian leader in sports eyewear, is taking a bold step forward with four RX innovations that strengthen what is already one of the most comprehensive corrective ranges […]

Don't miss any trends!

Receive exclusive updates on the latest in the world of eyewear, our favorite selections, and unique offers reserved just for our subscribers. Join the Parisée community and elevate your style today!

 

Parisee - Tendances Lunettes

Photo : Lumiprod