Interview with Oscar Magnuson
.
Image: Oscar Magnuson
Photo : Erika Svensson for Oscar
Magnuson Spectacles.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
This exclusive interview with industrial designer Oscar Magnuson was
conducted by Nicola Linza and Cristoffer Neljesjö in Stockholm during May 2018.
What is the history of Oscar Magnuson Spectacles?
Oscar Magnuson was founded in Stockholm in 2006. After finishing my studies in industrial design in Milan, I returned to Stockholm and started to work on the project that today is Oscar Magnuson Spectacles. My love for frames and handicraft was born during my 5 years living in Italy, a country known for its knowledge and passion for style and fashion.
How would you describe the brand and the products?
We are a luxury independent eyewear brand and have our foundation in making high quality optical acetate frames. Our product is simple but with a strong graphic expression. Quality and fitting is an important part of our brand essence. We are obsessed by details and are always seeking perfection in the production. Our sunglasses are fitted with the best mineral glass lenses the market has to offer.
Where do you find inspiration for new designs?
The creativity process is a mix of research and impulse. We are inspired by the contemporary creative culture that surrounds us, everything from art, fashion to music and street style. We are part of the contemporary Scandinavian look.
Do you lean toward a favourite eyeglass frame material to work with?
Acetate has been the focus of our brand since the foundation. Today we are working with Bio-acetate, a newly developed cellulose acetate made in Italy in which all synthetic components have been eliminated making it 100% biodegradable. The material has been engineered to preserve the unique and exclusive soft touch characteristics only an all natural product can give.
What aspect of eyewear selection do you find most critical?
Selecting a frame is always a very personal experience. It is of course important that you are comfortable with both design and fitting. The nose-fitting is the most critical aspect to have a comfortable wear. Acetate frames are difficult to adjust over the bridge (nose) so this part is best if you have a direct fit. For the rest of the frames most parts are adjustable with professional assistance, one of the good characteristics of an all natural material.
There is a growing need for “custom made”, do have any plans on offering this feature?
Designing a frame for many and a frame for one is a very different process. We are always interested in giving our customers the best possible frames and fit but for now we have no plans to release a “custom made” project.
What is the future of Oscar Magnuson Spectacles?
We have just released our first collection of sunglasses and are enjoying very much this new path of the OM brand. As for the future we have started a collaboration with a 100 year old Japanese eyewear brand specialized in classic titanium frames. We will release our first collaboration frames on the market in spring 2019. We are very excited about this project bringing our OM style to a new very exclusive material. For the rest we will see what the future has to offer, we are always working on new concepts and ideas.
The above interview with Oscar Magnuson 2018 © Manner of Man Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher.
