Anne et Valentin

A Toulouse love story born of rebellion against 1980s uniformity, forging frames that unmask the true character of the wearer.

The Story

Anne and Valentin were a couple of opticians in the south of France chasing a wild dream: unique glasses with striking graphic lines, made first for their friends. In 1984 they turned that dream into a brand in Toulouse. Valentin brought the technical craft; Anne brought the artist's eye that saw every face as a canvas. Together, they looked at the eyewear of the era and saw a desert of blandness. It lacked the kinetic energy of the streets. It lacked heart.

After opening their first stores, the duo stopped merely curating and started carving — designing their own frames by hand. This wasn't corporate manufacturing; it was a labour of love. Their creative studio became a sanctuary of curiosity, a place where someone plays a new track for a colleague or leaves a book behind to pass from hand to hand. They never set out to follow trends. They followed the artists and ideas that moved them, and let those feelings dictate the line and the colour of every frame.

The brand didn't rely on market studies or boardroom metrics. They relied on intuition. In 1995, Rama Valentin, their son, gripped the helm of the brand's international voyage. He carried the frames to the US, where the discerning eyes at Morgenthal Frederics immediately recognised something revolutionary. Success arrived organically because the frames refused to shout. Instead, they resonated.

Even as the industry consolidated under massive conglomerates, Anne et Valentin stayed independent — never swallowed by a luxury group. Today the house remains a "toolbox" for the creative: a refuge for those who treat their spectacles as a vital chapter in their own character-driven story. Here, in the heart of Toulouse, the revolution continues one frame at a time.

Walala — the limited-edition collaboration

WALALAND is what happens when Anne et Valentin hand the line to someone with an even louder palette. The collaboration is with Camille Walala, the French artist whose London studio is famous for giant geometric murals in pop colour. The frames are bold and block-like, carved in graphic bas-relief with asymmetrical temples — the machining cuts straight through the acetate to reveal the colours beneath, matte edges set against a glossy face. The shapes nod to the Eighties and to old arcade graphics; the colours carry names like Arcade blue, Smiley yellow and Tagada red. It is a numbered, limited run — LALA 1, 2 and 3. "We share the same playful approach," says Walala, "and love to play with shapes, circles, squares and bright colours."

Materials & Craft

• Hand-polished acetate sourced from traditional workshops in the Jura region.
• High-precision titanium components manufactured by master-craftsmen in Japan.
• Signature two-colour veneers developed exclusively in the Toulouse atelier.
• Bold graphic bas-reliefs and asymmetrical temples in the Walala limited edition.
• Layered acetate machined to reveal the colours beneath, matte cuts against a glossy face.

Signature Style

"Don't try to stand out. Try to do something remarkable." This mantra, repeated in the studio every day, drives every design. The goal is a frame that dresses the face without betraying the soul. It is a geometric architecture that carves definition into the gaze, a concept the house calls "eyes within eyes."

The collection is a masterclass in fit. The ALMA is a sparkling, feminine cat-eye designed specifically for small faces and fine lines. For those seeking a cheeky glance, the ANNETTE offers a petite P3 shape that sits softly without becoming overly serious. Meanwhile, the M.2 adapts the classic panto for wider features, offering a taut, architectural look for Cartesian minds who value technical precision.

Frequently Asked

How much do Anne et Valentin frames cost?

Pricing on request — contact The Oculus for a quote.

What is the waiting period for new glasses?

Typically 2–3 weeks from prescription to collection.

Where are the frames manufactured?

Acetate frames are Made in France (Jura), while titanium models are produced in Japan.

Is the brand owned by a large eyewear group?

No, Anne et Valentin remains independent from conglomerates like Luxottica or Marcolin.

Do you have options for very small faces?

Yes, models like the ANNETTE or ALMA are specifically designed for petite features.

How is the optical range organised?

It splits across acetate, metal and combo (mixed-material) frames, with named lines like Alpha, Punchline and Jéchante. We'll help you find the family that suits your face and prescription.

Can I get these as sunglasses?

Yes, the brand offers dedicated sun collections and most optical frames can be fitted with sun lenses.

Do you provide aftercare for the frames?

The Oculus provides comprehensive frame servicing, including cleaning and adjustments.

Why do some frames mix matte and glossy finishes?

It's most striking in the Walala limited edition, where matte-cut edges are set against a glossy face to make the carved layers and colours pop.

Why does The Oculus stock Anne et Valentin?

The Oculus stocks the brand for its ability to treat eyewear as a character-driven art form, maintaining the authentic, independent spirit of its Toulouse origins.

Related at The Oculus

• Theo — Another optician-founded house with a shared love for bold, quirky colours and Belgian design.
• Mykita — For the wearer who appreciates precision engineering but wants a different take on modern metal.
• Kuboraum — For those drawn to the "frames as masks" concept and avant-garde, sculptural acetate.