Linda Farrow in Lisbon: An Interview at André Opticas on Craft, Icons & Identity
A Lens on Luxury:
Inside the World of Linda Farrow at André Opticas, Lisbon
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Last week, Lisbon welcomed a true icon. To mark the launch of The Iconic Collection for Autumn/Winter 2025, Linda Farrow— the legendary British designer—arrived with her son for an exclusive evening at André Opticas, the city’s renowned curator, designer, and eyewear producer.
The event brought together design lovers, tastemakers, and longtime fans to celebrate a brand that has defined avant-garde eyewear for over five decades.
A tribute to her enduring legacy in luxury eyewear, the debut release—The Lila—is a sculptural silhouette born from Linda Farrow’s own creative vision. Timeless yet modern, it captures the brand’s signature fusion of artistry, innovation, and refined elegance.
Founded in London in 1970, Linda Farrow was among the pioneers who transformed sunglasses into fashion statements. Revived in 2003 by her son Simon Jablon, the brand has continued to shape the industry through bold design, celebrity collaborations, and avant-garde eyewear collections.
The Iconic Collection opens a new chapter for the house—where heritage meets innovation, and every frame tells a story of legacy reimagined.
We had the rare opportunity to sit down with Linda Farrow and her son Simon Jablon for an intimate conversation on timeless design, the evolution of eyewear, and the creative values that continue to shape the legacy of one of fashion’s most visionary brands.
Linda Farrow:
The Iconic Collection
Discover the story, inspirations and icons behind the brand, in this intimate interview with Linda and Simon.
What's the most unexpected object or moment that’s ever inspired a frame design?
Inspired by the simple things.
“In the crazy ’60s, even something as simple as a yellow sunflower—the way it was put together—was an inspiration in itself. That was the fun of it.”
So many iconic personalities have worn Linda Farrow, like Yoko Ono to Beyoncé. Was there someone that changed the way you saw your own work?
There were quite a few…
Most recently, we collaborated with Jeremy Scott on a series of designs that were worn by both Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. It was a defining moment—both artists were at the peak of their fame, and their support catapulted our work onto the global stage.
Lady Gaga, in particular, created an iconic fashion moment when she wore the same pair of our sunglasses in both Telephone and Paparazzi. It was a bold visual statement that still resonates today.
In the past, we’ve had legendary figures like Yoko Ono and Scarface-era Al Pacino wearing our designs. There have been quite a few unforgettable moments over the years.
In a world where trends move at lightning speed, in your view, how does Linda Farrow stay timeless?
“We don’t change and try to suit the moment, we are who we are.”
Our ideas and ideologies are rooted in evolution and growth. The '70s and '80s remain a part of the inspiration we still build on. We're not a hype brand, we have our own path so we don’t react to passing trends or moments.
Our vision is consistent, and that’s what puts us in timeless luxury. As long as we stay on our own journey, people understand what we’re about.
What’s one detail in a frame only the most obsessive design lover would notice?
“The materials.”
It’s the detail behind the product—where specialists and experts in the field truly appreciate what we do. Take something as simple as our acetate: we put it through a polishing process that takes about ten times longer than what you’d get from other major luxury groups. From start to finish, our process takes 22 months.
We use Japanese pure titanium, which is the highest quality available. With our polishing and materials, you get the best finish—and that’s something we’re really proud of.
The Iconic Collection is your latest release, what story do you want to tell with it now?
“It's about retelling the roots of Linda Farrow.”
We wanted to take a key piece from our history and revisit it—because sometimes we take for granted that people know our story and our styles. Not everyone does.
So this collection is about bringing back those iconic moments, bringing the stories—and Linda—into the picture. It’s a way of retelling the history of Linda Farrow.
We wrapped up our conversation with a round of rapid-fire questions for Linda Farrow & Simon Jablon, touching on everything from fashion faux-pas’ to travel essentials and unexpected style moments.
And because we couldn’t resist, we turned the tables on André Opticas’ own André to find out his take on eyewear, local flair, and what makes a frame unforgettable.
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