NYC's Largest Luxury Eyewear Collection

Ahlem

Founded in 2014 by Paris-born, Los Angeles-based designer Ahlem Manai-Platt, Ahlem is handcrafted in small batches in the atelier community of Oyonnax, France. Premium Italian acetate and steel electro-dipped in Palladium and 22k gold define a collection rooted in Bauhaus principles and timeless design.

7,000+

Frames Across 3 Locations

NYC Locations

35+

Years in Business

Designer eyewear collection at Visionary Optics

Inside Visionary Optics showroom with extensive eyewear collection and ZEISS lens equipment

Why Ahlem at Visionary Optics?

AHLEM is a French luxury eyewear brand founded in 2014 by Paris-born designer Ahlem Manai-Platt, who later relocated to Los Angeles and recently back to Paris. Each frame is designed in Venice, California and handcrafted in small batches in Oyonnax, France — the historic eyewear atelier region in the Jura mountains.

Visionary Optics carries AHLEM optical frames and sunglasses at our three NYC locations. Each frame passes through three specialized ateliers and nine skilled artisans during production, using premium Italian Mazzucchelli acetate and steel electro-dipped in palladium or 22-karat gold.

AHLEM is rooted in Bauhaus design principles — clean lines, timeless proportions, and an understated aesthetic that favors substance over ornament. Founder Ahlem Manai-Platt won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2017 for her work in eyewear design.

Authorized AHLEM Retailer

Parisian eyewear handcrafted in France by founder Ahlem Manai-Platt — every frame fully authentic and sourced direct.

Designed in Paris, Made in France

AHLEM produces in France, one of the only luxury brands still doing so — favoring local ateliers over volume-focused factories.

Quietly Architectural

AHLEM draws on Parisian architecture and light, translating Haussmann-era lines and Métro signage into wearable, minimalist frames.

Expert AHLEM Fitting

Our opticians know AHLEM's optical and sunglasses collections, and pair each frame with ZEISS precision lenses for crystal-clear vision.

What makes AHLEM eyewear different?

AHLEM is one of the few luxury eyewear brands still handcrafted in France. Each frame is produced in Oyonnax — France's historic eyewear atelier region — passing through three specialized ateliers and the hands of nine skilled artisans, each with a particular craft passed down through generations. The brand is rooted in Bauhaus design principles, with an aesthetic that favors clean lines and timeless proportions over trend-driven shapes.

Where is AHLEM eyewear made?

Every AHLEM frame is designed in Venice, California by founder Ahlem Manai-Platt and handcrafted in Oyonnax, France. Oyonnax is a small town in the Jura region with a centuries-old tradition of eyewear craftsmanship; AHLEM works exclusively with family-run ateliers there, some of whom have been refining their techniques for generations.

Who is Ahlem Manai-Platt?

Ahlem Manai-Platt is the founder and designer of AHLEM. Paris-born and previously LA-based, she launched the brand in 2014 after working as a buyer for Acne Studios and Miu Miu. She won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2017 — a rare honor for an eyewear designer — and has designed bespoke frames for clients including LeBron James.

How much do AHLEM glasses cost?

Ready-to-wear AHLEM optical frames and sunglasses typically range from approximately $500 to $750 in the U.S., depending on materials. Acetate models sit at the lower end of that range; frames featuring steel electro-dipped in palladium or 22-karat gold cost more.

Are AHLEM frames worth the price?

AHLEM frames are produced in France in genuinely small batches, using premium Italian Mazzucchelli acetate and precious-metal-plated steel. The brand is one of very few French-made luxury eyewear labels still operating, and each frame passes through nine artisans rather than a single factory line. Customers who buy AHLEM are often paying for the rarity of French production and the quality of materials — not for branding or markup.

What is AHLEM's most popular model?

At Visionary Optics, the Voltaire, Rue Servan, and Saint Georges are consistently the three best-selling AHLEM models. Voltaire is a refined round optical favored for its clean Bauhaus geometry; Rue Servan is a more architectural rectangular shape; Saint Georges is a softer rounded silhouette. The right model depends on face shape and personal style — our opticians can help.

Where can I try on AHLEM in NYC?

Visionary Optics carries AHLEM at all three of our New York City locations: Upper East Side (1409 3rd Avenue), Chelsea (173 7th Avenue), and Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (315 Court Street). Our opticians can walk you through differences between models and fit. We also fit AHLEM optical frames with ZEISS prescription lenses, most ready the same day.

Can't Decide? Visit Us.

Nothing beats trying frames in person. Visit any of our three NYC locations and let our experts help you find your perfect pair.

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Ahlem

Why Ahlem at Visionary Optics?

The Visionary Optics Difference

Authorized AHLEM Retailer

Designed in Paris, Made in France

Quietly Architectural

Expert AHLEM Fitting

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