PONTET EYEWEAR: French design, inspired by travel
- By Clodagh Norton
Pontet Eyewear is a French eyewear brand born in the South of France and founded by Hermes Pontet whose family has been in optics since the early 20th century. His great-grandfather, Edmond Pontet, pioneered optical services as a photographer while Jean-André Pontet established Optique Pontet in 1930, a well-known, independent opticians which today has three stores in the city of Marseille. Hermes Pontet told 20/20 Europe how he plans to continue the family legacy – and reimagine it through the creation of unique frames.
Q: PONTET Eyewear was founded in April 2021 in your home city of Marseille. Where did you find the drive and passion to set up your own eyewear brand?
A: Craftsmanship, precision and the culture of eyewear have always been part of my life. With PONTET Eyewear, I wanted to rewrite that history in my own way, not just continuing the legacy, but reinterpreting it. For me, the brand is not simply ‘Pontet’: it’s a new chapter, a new vision, and a way to bring something more personal, more artistic, breaking a few rules of traditional eyewear along the way.
Q: You have a wonderfully strong brand identity and very creative art direction. What is your particular passion, and what do you most enjoy about having your own eyewear brand?
A: My first passion has always been drawing. It’s how I understood the world as a child …sketching shapes, faces and textures. Eyewear allows me to transform that instinct into objects people wear every day. I was raised in an optical family, with the Pontet heritage shaping my environment. Travel is a central part of my process. Every journey becomes a notebook full of sketches, colours and ideas. I love interpreting cultures through drawing, then turning these emotions into frames. What I enjoy most about running Pontet Eyewear is the possibility to connect all of this… art, travel, family, craftsmanship and share a perspective that feels true to who I am.
Q: How did you get into eyewear in the first place and what were you doing before you launched the brand?
A: Before launching the brand, I spent several years working in the optical field — on the ground and behind the scenes. I learned the craft, the constraints, the expectations of opticians and customers, and I understood how a frame can completely transform a face, a style, or a presence. This experience made me want to bring something different to the world of optics: eyewear that tells a story and reconnects people with emotion, travel and culture.
Q: Your first collection took you to Egypt for inspiration. How did you come up with the idea of travelling to different countries and experiencing the cultures to inspire a series of unique eyewear collections? For the following collections you journeyed to Greece and Turkey.
A: Travelling has always been my way of understanding people and cultures. Each country has its own aesthetic code: colours, symbols, materials and architecture. The idea came naturally: instead of inventing concepts from a desk, I wanted to go to the places themselves, feel the atmosphere, meet the artisans, observe the light, the textures, the landscapes. Egypt, Greece and Turkey were three pillars of ancient civilization and each of them gave birth to a full collection. It’s more than inspiration: it’s immersion.
….instead of inventing concepts from a desk, I wanted to go to the places themselves, feel the atmosphere, meet the artisans, observe the light, the textures, the landscapes. Egypt, Greece and Turkey were three pillars of ancient civilization and each of them gave birth to a full collection…
Q: What has been your focus in terms of producing the frames since 2021, and how do you interpret details as the collections evolve?
A: From day one, my priority has been quality, durability and the use of premium materials such as Italian acetate and refined metals. Each collection is designed to offer frames that are well-balanced, comfortable, and built to last.In January, we are introducing a metal collection produced in the Jura region of France, marking an important step in elevating the precision and refinement of our pieces. As the collections have evolved, the details have become more defined, more architectural, and increasingly inspired by Mediterranean influences, giving each frame a stronger yet timeless identity.
Q: Describe your most recent Marseille collection. What was your idea in terms of how you wanted to take forward your inspiration for these designs?
A: After travelling the world for previous collections, I felt a strong desire to come back to Marseille, the city where I was born and the place that shaped my eye for colours, contrasts and people. Marseille is cosmopolitan, raw, artistic and proudly itself. It‘s a city that many brands look to today for inspiration, but for me it’s home. With this collection, I wanted to capture the true Marseille, not the postcard version, but the soul of its various neighbourhoods. I drew inspiration from places that carry a strong identity: Vauban, Endoume, Le Panier, Le Roucas, the Frioul Islands, and other emblematic spots that define the rhythm of the city. Each frame is a way of translating these atmospheres into shapes, colours and textures. The collection features seven optical models and three sun models, produced in premium acetate and stainless steel. The colour palette is deeply Mediterranean. We have featured warm stone tones, deep blues reminiscent of the Frioul waters, sun-faded neutrals and vibrant shades inspired by the facades and markets of old Marseille. My goal was to create designs that feel like the city itself: bold but effortless, elegant but alive, with a personality rooted in authenticity. This collection is my way of paying tribute to Marseille: by drawing it, interpreting it, and sharing its essence through eyewear.
Q: What would you say has been the biggest challenge for you in establishing the brand? What can we expect next from you in 2026?
A: The biggest challenge has been growing the brand while keeping its soul intact. In a competitive market, staying true to our Mediterranean identity without compromising on quality requires patience, precision and real conviction. Another challenge has been innovation. I want Pontet Eyewear to evolve without losing its essence: breaking the codes, trusting my instincts, daring to explore new ideas. Over the years, I’ve realised that design is not only about shapes, but also about colour. Creating unique blends, unexpected contrasts and expressive palettes has become one of my main focuses. Colorimetry is where the real challenge lies: making every frame feel truly singular. For a long time, I followed advice, references and industry expectations. Today, I have enough experience to fully trust my own vision, to design from intuition first, and let the market follow afterwards. That shift has been essential. In 2026, we will continue along this path: new collaborations, a new travel-inspired collection, and a stronger presence across Europe. The goal will remain the same: meaningful design, strong storytelling, and frames that embody culture, emotion and individuality.
