The Legacy of Craft
Since our inception in 1969, craftsmanship has been at the core of Cutler and Gross. The kind of craftsmanship that requires generational expertise and a fastidious attention to detail. Craftsmanship that takes time: weeks of fine-tuning, months of developing, years and years of perfecting.
“I am the technician, Mr Gross is the tastemaker, and those gifts sing harmoniously together.”
Mr Graham Cutler, Cutler and Gross Co-Founder, 1985
Archive to Atelier
The first Cutler and Gross frames were handmade above our Knightsbridge store in London; this philosophy of personal touch has endured for over half a century. Our glasses are now crafted by expert artisans in our workshops in Italy and Japan, two epicentres for exceptional design. Our Italian atelier is located in the foothills of the Dolomites — a region regarded as the core of optical excellence. While frames in Japan are handcrafted by our team of experts who understand the nature of particular materials and apply cutting-edge tools and technical expertise.
This is the Cutler and Gross way, where the human element is paramount.
Perfect but Never Identical
What defines a Cutler and Gross frame?
It is not simply the unique designs or the statement details. It’s the time-honoured techniques carried out by optical architects who have spent decades honing their skills, requiring a discipline that few possess.
The mastery of such virtuoso work has earned them the title of frame-making experts.
From start to finish, each frame is guided by a series of specialist hands. Cutting, shaping, tumbling, polishing – the glasses come to light over the course of many months. The journey to perfection can’t be rushed.
Materials, Mastered
Every frame is a testament to the artistry of material, and the dedication of the craftspeople who bring it to life. From the rich and bold depths of acetate, to the sleek strength of titanium — our appreciation for material is founded on precision and patience.
Acetate frames are crafted with care, their color revealed gradually through a hand-mopping technique that builds layers of pigment intensity. This method ensures a depth and vibrancy that no quick treatment can achieve. Each frame is then hand-assembled, with signature pins secured into drilled holes for strength and longevity. Finally, a 96-hour polishing process smooths every surface to perfection, using traditional techniques that have stood the test of time.
For our titanium frames, the process is equally as meticulous. Lightweight yet resilient, this remarkable metal demands exceptional skill to work with. Each titanium frame undergoes shaping, polishing and hand-finishing, a labour-intensive approach that results in eyewear as durable as it is refined.
With every detail considered and every step mastered, our frames strike the perfect balance between tradition and innovation — crafted to last, designed with material in mind.
The Archive
Cutler and Gross’s five-decade-deep archive is a testament to our inexhaustible craftsmanship and ingenuity. It spans the swinging sixties through nineties grunge to now, forming a unique source of British heritage and inspiration for current collections. Our atelier’s expertise is a means to bridge the past with the present. From Elton John’s iconic 70s frames to Julia Robert’s Notting Hill sunglasses and Bono’s wrap-arounds, Cutler and Gross glasses are written in the history books.
And this legacy continues today. Combining extraordinary design, exceptional craftsmanship and a pioneering vision, each collection looks confidently towards the future.
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