Hawkins

From plant to glasses. That has been the Moken concept since 2014, and it took us more than 4 years to make it real. Harvesting the plant, synthesising the oil, polymerisation, manufacturing — each stage required testing the compatibility between bio-based materials, moulds and machines, and believe us, the first attempts were far from perfect. The result is a range that matches our values. Glasses that come from the earth. It is not just a slogan in a catalogue — it is 4 years of grind and R&D in the Landes.

Castor. That slightly odd plant used in medicine and industry for years — we turn it into eyewear frames. 90% plant matter. Once transformed, the material is resistant, flexible, with that characteristic soft touch you recognise straight away. Designed in Hossegor, developed with our eyewear-making know-how; we did not improvise ourselves into manufacturers overnight. A real alternative to petrochemicals that holds up on performance as well as on style.

VLT of 3% to 8%. Almost nothing gets through. This is the maximum level, category 4 — glaciers, permanent snow, extreme altitude. The base of our Summit Master with SUPERHYDRO treatment. One warning though: not suitable for driving, simply because it is too dark. It is a specialist lens, for those who climb above the clouds and stay up there a while. The lowest VLT in our entire collection. If you are not at high altitude, this is probably not the one you need, and that is perfectly normal.