I’ve been writing about eyewear quite a bit this year. And as I mentioned recently, I’ve noticed that more men seem to be approaching spectacles as a collector’s item rather than a purely functional product. While I might not be quite at that level (…yet), I definitely know that managing a pile of glasses in random cases is a bit unwieldily. The best solution that I’ve come up with is now available at Lost Monarch—an eyewear briefcase.
These briefcases are made in France by a malletier (French for trunk-maker) that has specialized in eyewear storage for over 90 years. This case is one of their most premium products and is made in two sizes to accommodate small and large collections. The leather is sourced from a premier tannery in Italy that has been producing vegetable-tanned hides for over 50 years. This pebble-grained cowhide has a firm texture and moderate scratch resistance that will allow it to age gracefully.
The frame of the briefcase is made from wood, which is then wrapped in the leather and reinforced on all sides and corners. The interior is lined with velvet flocking to prevent scratches, and the outside is finished off with metal hinges and clasps to further secure things. My briefcase mostly lives on top of my dresser and holds on to my collection there, but I would have no concerns about taking it along with me on my next trip.
I ordered a small batch of the 6-compartment size in a classic reddish-brown and a handsome forest green color that are now available to ship. Once those few are sold, any additional orders will ship in February when the next batch is complete. This is definitely not a product that everyone will find useful, but for the guy that takes eyewear seriously it’s an excellent—and elegant—storage solution.
