Suzy Glam

Hand-sculpted three-dimensionality born in an Amsterdam atelier.

The Story

Suzy Glam arrived in 2013, the result of a powerhouse partnership between Susanne Klemm and Etienne Frederiks. Etienne is a seasoned veteran of the trade; he entered the optical industry in 1990 and eventually co-founded the Dutch Hall of Frames fair in 2005, followed by his own eyewear boutique in Utrecht in 2008. Susanne provides the brand’s artistic soul—a Swiss-born designer and trained optician with an elite background in contemporary jewellery. Her sculptural work has graced museum collections globally, from Tokyo to New York, and she brings that same high-level artistry to the bridge and temple.

This label rejects the industry standard of lazy computer-generated renders. Instead, they design from scratch. While most brands begin with a flat drawing or a two-dimensional digital sketch, Suzy Glam favour a visual, reductive methodology. They carve models primarily by hand, fitting and refitting these physical prototypes directly on the face. This ensures the weight distribution and bridge fit are technically sound before a single technical drawing is produced. The industry recognised this rigour immediately. On the 20th of October 2013, the brand secured the Gold Newcomer Award in Stuttgart.

Growth has been deliberate. By 2015, the duo opened their flagship centre on Roelof Hartstraat in Amsterdam. The space, a former sports shop, was renovated entirely by the founders themselves—right down to the electrical work and painting. Every frame in that shop mirrors their refusal to follow retro trends. Instead, they focus on the haptic quality of the material and the way light interacts with a hand-filed bevel. They even mastered Italian to communicate directly with family-run factories in Venice. This direct involvement ensures the technical integrity of the material remains intact from the initial carving to the final manual polish.

The Hand-Sculpted Prototype

Susanne Klemm treats acetate like a raw gemstone or a block of stone. She employs a reductive carving technique, physically removing material from 8mm acetate slabs to find the frame within. This visual technique treats the spectacle as a three-dimensional object rather than a flat graphic. While other designers click mice, Klemm feels the tactile feedback of the material on the face. Only once the prototype is perfected do the technical drawings follow. These designs are then realised in small, family-owned factories in Venice, Italy, where master craftspeople employ manual techniques that preserve the haptic soul of the original prototype.

Materials & Craft

• High-quality Italian acetate slabs
• Custom jade bio-acetate components
• Hand-sculpted acetate prototypes
• Manual-finish frames from Venice
• Carbon-neutral parcel packaging
• 100% recycled denim fabric components

Signature Style

The Suzy Glam wearer is a pure individualist. We stock these frames for those who find "retro" too safe and desire personal expression over passing trends. The feminine styles offer a powerful presence, while the masculine frames provide a sharp, confident glamour for men who want to be noticed. These frames function as "sculpted make-up" for the face, using facets and curves to lift and highlight the wearer’s natural features without overwhelming them.

The collection is defined by two primary visual languages. The Facet series—exemplified by the Face the Face model—uses sharp, gemstone-like angles to catch the light. In contrast, the Tube series prioritises rounded, smooth surfaces and tactile fluidity. Models like Travels Light in sea blue or Catches Up in vivid Lemon and Lavender showcase how three-dimensional sculpture converges with a contemporary palette. Whether it is the edgy bevels of the Decides model or the graceful lines of the pebble-inspired series, each frame is a perfectly balanced object that prioritises the technical fit.

Frequently Asked

What is the price range for Suzy Glam frames?

Pricing on request — contact The Oculus for a quote.

How long does it take to receive my glasses?

Typically 2–3 weeks from prescription to collection.

Can these frames be repaired or adjusted?

Yes. The brand is approachable, and we provide full showroom services for adjustments and technical maintenance to ensure a lasting fit.

I have a narrow face. Are there specific models for me?

The Twinkles and Travels Lighter models are specifically designed for those needing smaller eye-sizes or narrower fits.

What materials are used in the frames?

Suzy Glam utilises high-quality Italian acetate and incorporates bio-acetate components wherever possible.

Why are the frames shaped by hand first?

Shaping by hand allows the designer to see how the frame interacts with the three-dimensional contours of a face before any technical drawings are made.

Are these styles available as sunglasses?

Many styles, including Pushes Forward and Plays to Win, are available in both optical and sun versions.

Does the brand ever do collaborations?

Yes. The limited-edition Stripe model included a handmade cross-body purse crafted by Susanne Klemm from 100% recycled denim.

Where is the eyewear manufactured?

All frames are exclusively produced in the EU, specifically in small, family-owned factories in Venice, Italy.

Why does The Oculus stock Suzy Glam?

We stock Suzy Glam because they treat eyewear as a sculptural object that balances the face, created by makers who understand both technical optics and fine art.

Related at The Oculus

• Theo — Another optician-led brand with a shared love for bold, non-retro shapes and technical precision.
• Kuboraum — For wearers seeking "masks" that highlight personality through architectural, concrete, and organic shapes.
• Anne et Valentin — A fellow designer-optician duo that prioritises how a frame fits and "dresses" the face with individualist character.