A renowned Portuguese designer known for his conceptual furniture pieces, João Bessa ventures into new territory with Bo Bo Noir: eyewear as identity artifacts. Blending radical lines, visual storytelling, and formal precision, he unveils a collection where each frame becomes a fragment of personality.
TL;DR
João Bessa, founder of Bo Bo Noir, blends narrative design and personal identity in a collection of sculptural eyewear conceived as objects of meaning rather than mere style.
J. Bessa -. My name is João Bessa. I’m a Portuguese designer with a background in Product Design. For over a decade, I’ve led Bessa Design, an art and design furniture brand known for its sculptural language and emotional storytelling. My work has always explored the connection between objects and personal identity. In 2025, I decided to translate that same vision to a new scale — eyewear — where design becomes wearable, intimate, and expressive.
J. Bessa -. Yes, absolutely. Bessa Design remains an active creative studio. It allows me to explore narrative through materiality and form on a larger scale, while Bo Bo Noir offers a more immediate, personal channel of expression. Both worlds coexist — and in many ways, they enrich one another.
J. Bessa -. Definitely. Whether I’m designing a mirror or a pair of sunglasses, I start with the same intention: to create something meaningful. I look for balance — proportion, function, and character. The emotional impact of an object — how it communicates and resonates with people — matters as much as its material or silhouette.
J. Bessa -. The Jane frame embodies our essence: a bold, structured rectangular shape that feels both classic and assertive. Subtle colourways like cream white or olive green add nuance and depth.
The Triboulet model takes a more radical stance — it’s oversized and unapologetic, yet still refined. Both express our philosophy: boldness with restraint, attitude with elegance.
J. Bessa -. Bo Bo Noir is a fusion of two worlds:
“Bo Bo” draws from the court jester. In Portuguese Court jester means Bobo da Corte— irreverent, free-spirited, creative, someone who challenged conventions with wit and intelligence.
“Noir”, the French word for black, evokes sophistication, mystery, and elegance.
It’s this combination — bold yet refined — that defines the spirit of the brand.
J. Bessa -. While our frames are manufactured in Spain, all creative development — from design to brand identity and curation — takes place in Portugal. Cities like Porto, with their layered architecture, artistic energy, and contrasts between old and new, have deeply influenced our visual language. Portugal is where tradition and experimentation coexist — and that duality lives in everything we create.
J. Bessa -. We selected a specialised production partner in Spain for their technical expertise and attention to detail in eyewear. It was essential to collaborate with a team capable of translating our vision with precision and quality — while keeping our supply chain local, agile, and intentional.
J. Bessa -. We’re not here to follow trends or appeal to the masses. Bo Bo Noir is for individuals who see eyewear as an extension of who they are — not just an accessory. We speak to those who value discretion, design with meaning, and pieces that last. The message is simple: be bold — but on your own terms.
J. Bessa -. We believe the future of eyewear lies in meaningful minimalism — pieces that reject excess yet carry strong identity. I’m personally drawn to developing limited series with narrative depth, while also experimenting with new colour palettes and textures that defy convention. Ultimately, we want to continue building a brand that resonates with those who view style not as fashion, but as self-expression.
Through Bo Bo Noir, João Bessa redefines eyewear as a space for intimate storytelling. Inheriting a sculptural language rooted in object design, he brings to optics a rare discipline: crafting meaningful forms that balance restraint and expression.
Neither trend-driven nor ornamental, the frame becomes a silent extension of identity. A deliberate aesthetic stance, built to endure — far from the fleeting codes of fashion.
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