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You might want to consider this, then: when it comes to the most innovative eyewear designers on earth, they're thinking out of the spectacle case to see how else they can harness their imaginations. The more insane the challenge, the better! Working with super-unique materials is always a very long work in progress, often taking up to three years (or more!) from conceptualization to prototype to realize these dreams. It can also be a very expensive process, since these materials can be rare in sourcing or produced in limited quantities only, new tools or production processes invented to transform them into parts of an eyeglass, and craftsmen who can make it happen tracked down from every corner of the world.
There's always an end in sight, and when the formula is perfected, the results are often spectacular and jaw-droppingly gorgeous. These frames are conversation starters and the centerpiece of whatever you have on that day—you'll find everyone wanting to know more about your glasses. Start here.
•Cardboard
You can never have enough glasses in your collection—that's bad news for your wallet! Cue Roger Eye Design and their collections that are both recyclable as well as made from recycled materials. Putting several sheets of sturdy cardboard together, reinforced by a piece of plastic, you can sport a different design every day just by switching out your prescription lenses, and they're affordable enough that you can toss out a "used" pair (don't worry, they're biodegradable). Dutch Roger Hoppenbrouwers hit upon this idea in 2007, inspired by disposable contact lenses, and while it can feel like wearing 3-D glasses, there's no denying that you'll never run out of new spectacles to wear.
•Buffalo Horn
"Horn-rimmed" glasses are common now, but they really are made of injection mold plastic or acetate. In the late 19th century, genuine horn was a common material for optical frames, until cheaper options were produced. They'll never return to that level of popularity because of cost and questions about sustainable procuring methods, but there's no denying that buffalo horn are hypoallergenic, extremely light, and leave a cool, comfortable touch on your skin—none of that icky sticky feeling on a hot day or protrusions from unwieldy metallic angles! Because buffalo horn can't be bent easily (and always tries to return to its original state if adjusted), true connoisseurs go for custom-made frames that will fit them perfectly. It's also the best way to ensure the horn has been obtained without cruelty to the buffalo, choose the part of the horn you like best, and truly make a one-of-a-kind fashion statement.
•Carbon Fiber
It's the stuff that's used to build the world's fastest racing cars. And now, it's being used to construct eyeglasses.
When Claus Bellinger unveiled Blac, the world's first one hundred percent adjustable carbon fiber eyewear collection, it was the finish line of a "pioneering marathon" that began with a fascination of McLaren's carbon-composite MP4-1 body in 1981. Enhanced with other light materials such as titanium, carbon fiber frames are some of the lightest in the world, as well as the strongest—not to mention a showcase of sleek patterns and texture that has no equal in cool.
•Acrylic
Jason Kirk of Kirk Originals dreamed of making eyeglasses that shone the most vibrant colors you could imagine, but couldn't get exactly the quality he envisioned with regular plastic materials. When he hit upon acrylic, there was lots to consider—although strong and light, it was wont to snap easily, so adjusting them for a comfortable fit as optical frames was a more time-consuming and delicate process than usual. But the stunning results! Putting on a pair of Kirk's acrylic frames, most recently seen in his Beam collection featuring a raw acrylic that took 12 years to develop, is like wearing a rainbow of translucent glows.
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