Fashion – Tres Noir
We love bringing you some of the most dope brands & stores around the world. Holding things down in the fashion industry we’ve got an awesome eyewear company from Anaheim, California by the name of Tres Noir Handmade Optics. Now relax as we get to know Tres Noir Handmade Optics a little more and how they started out in the industry.
Clothing line name: Tres Noir Handmade Optics
City/State: Anaheim, CA
Established date: 2006
Website: www.tres-noir.com
Price range for clothing: $85- $125
Where to buy your clothing: www.tres-noir.com
So tell us about your brand?
- Tres-Noir is focused on providing one thing- Quality Sunglasses. Refusing to give the customer a cheap, mass-produced sunglass that is injected through a mold, Tres-Noir Handmade Optics is produced from acetate sheets in limited quantities. With styles for both men and women, the unisex collection is as unique as the customer who wears the sunglass. Tres Noir Handmade Optics can be found at finer boutiques and sunglass specialty stores throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong.
How did you come up with the name?
- From the get-go we wanted to incorporate the word “Noir” from the film noir genre. Then we started kicking around other words and Tres came up- it fit both the French and Spanish translation- of “very” and “three” since there were three of us who started the company. We had a good artist friend Rob Enright draw up a logo and Tres Noir was born.
What were you doing before launching your brand?
- Before launching Tres Noir, we were all working in some capacity with eyewear- whether it was in design, sales, or operations. I was working for a marketing and design firm that specialized in OEM and private label production. You can only design and produce for other people for so long before you say screw it- let’s do our own thing.
When did you begin thinking about launching your own clothing brand?
- Tres Noir was in the works a few years before the actual launch. We were all living in Long Beach and complaining about the lack of cool eyewear. We produced one glass ( The Police & Thieves) for friends and everybody went crazy. That’s when we knew it was time to get serious.
What best describes your line & who is it targeted to?
- Our line is best described as neo-vintage. Meaning we have taken classic vintage styles and updated them with modern touches. Using the handmade acetate has allowed us to keep the collection different and fresh while keeping the quality high. Our customer base varies but for the most part it is for people that want a unique piece of eyewear at a reasonable price.
What influenced you to start this line?
- Being born and raised in Southern California we have what might be called the typical influences- music, lowbrow art, skateboarding, hotrods, etc.
How is your brand different from others out there?
- The main difference is that all the eyewear is produced from handmade acetate in limited quantities. Which means we never mass produce anything and keep the line fresh and unique.
Are there any challenges you run into while running a business?
- Being a small company and trying to compete in the same arena as multi-national corporations you have to stay ahead of the curve and constantly be more creative and work harder.
What ways did you find promoting your brand worked?
- We have tried everything from magazine advertising to sponsoring shows and artists. The results are a total mixed bag. What has worked for us is sticking to what we think is cool- what websites do we frequent, magazines/ blogs do we read, bands we listen to?
Are there any future plans for your line?
- We just launched our Optical collection which has been in the works for a few years. Even though most of the current sunglasses fit a prescription, we started developing more eyewear with an optical fit in mind.
How did you hear about FKN Famous & what do you think of us?
- Friends turned us on to the site a while ago and it is a great resource to see what is new and launching in and out of our industry. It is definitely one of the top platforms for breaking brands and new styles.
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Anna H
Kick City | Daly City
Lazy Oaf - Summer 2013
Fashion: MKNK Clothing
Fashion: Notus
I bought a pair of Tres Noir and I didn’t even get home before somebody gave me a compliment on them. These guys are handmade and you can tell. They have weight to them. I was back and fourth between a pair of Persols and Rayban when I found Tres Noir, and I am so happy I did find them and so is my wallet.
That is awesome to hear man! Glad you were happy with Tres Noir, we are very much too!