“The tear drop design is inspired by religious statues from the Renaissance era that would miraculously ‘cry’ and the tear drop in gemstone cuts is such a noble form,” says Pietrus of his signature motif that adorns his textured, serpentine side frames. The precious stones from Gemfields, appear like emotive expressions glimmering in the matt gold metal surrounds.
Fashion photographer turned fine jeweller, John-Paul Francis de Lara Pietrus, has always had his eye on the nuance and expressions of beauty so when the polymath turned his talents to fine jewellery, training in Florence, he had the vision of creating something remarkably different. The fusion of fine jewellery making skills and eyewear architecture became his modus operandi. He launched with bespoke designs and is now channelling his know how into a new ready to wear collection: FDL Editions.
Sonam Kapoor in the Teardrop Bespoke Model
@fdleditions // Instagram
"There is something beautiful about asymmetry because it is not uniform and in work that has a handmade touch: there is soul and vibrancy."
John-Paul Francis de Lara Pietrus
“The engraving is done by hand to create the moulds, and the individual stones again set by hand,” explains Pietrus of the telato cross hatching on the frames. “There is something beautiful about asymmetry because it is not uniform and in work that has a handmade touch: there is soul and vibrancy,” says Pietrus who is garnering orders and fanfare since launching FDL during haute couture collections at the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris.
There are two styles - the unisex Supersize Aviator and Supersize Pentagon – and both limited edition frames are crafted in gold-plated aerospace-grade titanium, set with precious ethically sourced sustainable coloured-gemstones, and gradated cognac or rose-tinted CR39 UV-proof lenses. Prices range from £500 to £700 and each pair is wrapped in a vegan leather oblong strap case which happily doubles up as a mini handbag.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the everyday is turned rather special through these glasses.
