The story behind Ahlem
Ahlem Manai-Platt grew up in Paris and cultivated her style in the French fashion industry, working as a buyer for Acne and Miu Miu before starting her own marketing consultancy. Eyewear wasn’t the plan. As Ahlem tells it, the brand started during a conversation at a Paris café, when friends reacted to a sketch in her notebook. A lost pair of beloved vintage sunglasses pushed her over the edge, and in 2014, she launched Ahlem with nine handmade frames in Italian Mazzucchelli acetate.
The early days read like a designer’s dream. On a trip back to Paris, Ahlem brought her prototypes to Colette, then the mecca of cool. A buyer noticed. Colette became the brand’s first fashion retailer. A decade later, Ahlem runs flagship stores in Los Angeles, New York, and Paris, with a growing list of independent optical partners carrying the line across the US.
Production happens in France, across three specialized ateliers in the Oyonnax eyewear region. Nine skilled artisans touch each frame during manufacturing, each with a craft passed down through generations. Ahlem works with a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (a title reserved for France’s most skilled craftspeople) on bespoke pieces. The lenses come from Christian Dalloz, a respected French optical manufacturer.
What makes Ahlem frames distinctive
Beyond the French handicraft, a few design choices make Ahlem instantly recognizable.
Shapes named after Parisian neighborhoods
Frame silhouettes are named after Paris neighborhoods, squares, and buildings (Les Halles, La Seine, Place du Louvre, Barbès). The design language references Brutalist architecture and mid-century modernism more than traditional eyewear conventions.
Real 22-karat gold plating on the metal lines
Many metal Ahlem frames use genuine 22-karat gold plating rather than brass or other base metals. The finish ages better and doesn’t rub off the way standard gold-tone plating does over years of wear.
Italian Mazzucchelli acetate from one of the world’s best suppliers
Mazzucchelli is widely considered the gold standard for cellulose acetate. The color depth and surface finish are part of what separates Ahlem frames from mass-market competitors. Specific Ahlem collections also use plant-based acetates derived from cotton flowers.
Branding was kept intentionally quiet
Logos are minimal or hidden entirely. The design carries the identity, which is part of why Ahlem appeals to shoppers who don’t want a brand’s name doing the talking on their face.
This combination (Italian materials, French handicraft, and architectural design) is rare. Few brands operate in that narrow intersection.
Signature Ahlem styles to know
A few Ahlem silhouettes have become collection staples:
- Concorde. A soft pilot-shape optical frame that flatters a surprising range of face shapes.
- Le Marais. A classic round acetate that feels both vintage and modern.
- Abbesses. A geometric rectangular frame with distinctive temple detailing.
- Rue Saint-Honoré. A titanium minimal style with 22-karat gold accents.
- Place du Louvre. A bold cat-eye acetate that’s found a following among women seeking something distinctive yet wearable.
The collection rotates seasonally, with both optical and sunglass versions of most shapes.
Where to find Ahlem glasses in Chicago
Ahlem is one of the most widely stocked designer brands in the CustomEyes network, carried at all 8 locations. Availability of specific styles varies by shop, but every location has a curated Ahlem selection.
- CustomEyes Roscoe Village (2110 W. Roscoe St.) has earned particular notice for its Ahlem selection, including mentions in customer reviews
- CustomEyes Southport (3539 N Southport Ave) carries a broad Ahlem mix alongside Celine and Fendi
- CustomEyes River North (607 N. State St.) pairs Ahlem with Jacques Marie Mage, Anne et Valentin, and Theo
- CustomEyes LaSalle (134 N. LaSalle St.) carries Ahlem with DITA, Lunor, and MOSCOT
- CustomEyes Ogilvie (500 W Madison) has Ahlem in its commuter-friendly mix
- CustomEyes Broadway (3123 N. Broadway) pairs Ahlem with Chrome Hearts and Andy Wolf
- CustomEyes Logan Square (2650 N. Milwaukee) stocks Ahlem in a neighborhood mix
- CustomEyes Evanston (1939 Central Street, Evanston) is the suburban option, with Ahlem alongside Face A Face and Bevel
The full brand-by-location list is updated as inventory shifts. If a specific Ahlem style isn’t in stock at your closest shop, the team can usually order it in.
Who Ahlem works best for
Ahlem tends to attract a specific kind of shopper. A few patterns from the opticians who fit the brand most often:
- You appreciate quiet quality over visible branding
- You want a frame that doesn’t look like everyone else’s but also doesn’t feel like it’s a costume
- You care about materials and how things are made
- You’re willing to spend a bit more for something that will last
- You work in a creative or design-adjacent field (or just dress like you do)
If you tend to gravitate toward Scandinavian furniture, well-made leather goods, or independent fashion labels, Ahlem is likely your speed.
Pricing and what to invest in
Ahlem optical frames typically start around $500 and can reach $900 or more for titanium styles with gold detailing. Sunglasses follow a similar range. Bespoke “One of One” pieces, in which a client co-designs directly with Ahlem Manai-Platt, are priced separately at the collector level. Lenses are priced separately based on your prescription.
The cost-per-wear math favors Ahlem for people who wear their glasses daily. The frames hold up well over years of use; the acetate develops character over time rather than degrading, and the metalwork doesn’t flake or tarnish.
The case for handmade eyewear over factory-pressed frames is built around exactly this kind of long-term math. The CustomEyes perspective on investing in your eyesight digs deeper into the financial reasoning.
Trying Ahlem on in person
Ahlem frames vary in proportion across the collection, and they fit distinctly differently depending on shape. A few minutes on a website can’t replicate how Le Marais sits versus a Place du Louvre on your specific face.
A free 30-minute frame styling appointment is the most efficient way to see what works. The optician will pull 3 to 6 Ahlem shapes based on your face and preferences, talk through the collection, and measure your pupillary distance with the frame on your face.
Designer glasses for women in Chicago cover Ahlem alongside other female-led and female-favored brands worth knowing.
Frequently asked questions about Ahlem in Chicago
Where are Ahlem frames made?
Ahlem frames are handmade in France, in the Oyonnax eyewear region, across three specialized ateliers. The materials include Italian Mazzucchelli acetate and French optical components.
Are Ahlem frames unisex?
The collection is largely unisex by design, though certain proportions lean more traditionally masculine or feminine. Opticians often pull across the whole line rather than gendering the try-on.
Can Ahlem frames be made with my prescription?
Yes. Any Ahlem optical or sunglass frame can be fit with prescription lenses. Photochromic options are also available on most styles.
Is Ahlem covered by vision insurance?
Vision insurance typically covers part of the lens cost and may apply a frame allowance toward the total. Coverage varies by plan. The CustomEyes team will verify your vision insurance benefits before you commit.
How long do Ahlem frames last?
With normal daily wear and proper care, Ahlem frames typically last 5 to 7 years or longer. The acetate ages gracefully, and the 22-karat gold detailing doesn’t tarnish. Periodic professional adjustments keep the fit dialed.
Book your appointment at the CustomEyes nearest you to try Ahlem in person, or browse the latest designer eyewear online before you visit.
