Barton Perreira glasses in Chicago are available at all 8 CustomEyes locations across the city and Evanston. The brand, founded in 2007 by Bill Barton and Patty Perreira and acquired by LVMH’s Thélios eyewear group in 2023, is known for Japanese-handcrafted frames with a following that spans Hollywood to James Bond.
If you’re new to the brand or weighing whether a pair is worth the investment, this guide will walk you through what makes Barton Perreira different, which styles have become modern classics, and exactly where to try them in Chicago.
The story behind Barton Perreira
Bill Barton and Patty Perreira met at Oliver Peoples, where Barton served as president and Perreira as vice president of design. When Oakley acquired Oliver Peoples in 2006, neither of them wanted to stay. They left to build something that didn’t answer to anyone else, and Barton Perreira launched in 2007.
Patty Perreira’s design credentials run deep. Before starting the namesake line, she consulted on eyewear collections for Prada, Miu Miu, Jil Sander, Paul Smith, and Vera Wang. Bill Barton started his career as an optician, a less glamorous but arguably more important role: he understood the craft and the science of fitting from the inside.
What they built together is a tight, controlled line of frames produced in limited quantities by Japanese artisans whose factories have been operating for generations. A single Barton Perreira frame takes weeks of handwork to complete. The brand’s acetate is Japanese zyl, hand-tumbled and polished. The titanium is the same quality used in luxury Japanese watches.
In 2023, Barton Perreira joined LVMH’s Thélios eyewear group, which put the brand alongside other luxury houses in the group’s portfolio. Patty Perreira stayed on as the creative force behind every collection.
Why Barton Perreira stands out among designer eyewear
A few details tend to separate Barton Perreira from other luxury eyewear brands when you have a pair in hand.
Branding kept off the temples
Barton Perreira frames rarely feature a branded temple. The intent is that the design and craftsmanship speak for themselves. A small logo sits discreetly on the inside of the temple, where it doesn’t interrupt the frame’s silhouette.
Hand-enameled detailing on signature styles
The brand developed signature techniques for enamel work that gives frames like the Emmanuelle a jewelry-level finish. The colors are layered and fired rather than painted on, which is why they don’t fade or chip the way standard frame finishes do.
Zyl acetate that ages with character
Zyl is the cellulose acetate Barton Perreira uses across much of its line. Hand-tumbled for days and polished twice by hand, the material develops a warmth over years of wear that often looks better at year five than year one.
Titanium lines built for all-day wear
For customers who spend 12 hours a day in their glasses, the weight difference on a titanium Barton Perreira frame is noticeable within the first hour of wear. The metalwork is engineered to flex without losing its shape over time.
The celebrity cosign speaks to the quality, not the other way around. Patty Perreira’s frames appear on actors, musicians, and athletes, including Daniel Craig in his last Bond film. But the customers who keep buying are usually people who’ve worn them daily for a year and aren’t willing to go back.
Signature styles to know
Barton Perreira’s collection rotates, but a few styles have become recognizable modern classics.
Celestia is a soft-square optical frame in fine acetate that flatters a wide range of face shapes. One of the brand’s bestselling styles.
Emmanuelle is the hand-enameled frame that put Barton Perreira on the fashion map. Available in rotating colorways.
Joe is a classic American round shape that pairs beautifully with both workwear and suits.
Dalziel is the rectangular frame favored by Daniel Craig in No Time to Die. Understated and sharp.
Joplin brings vintage 1970s aviator energy to a sun frame that works as easily with a t-shirt as a blazer.
New releases drop throughout the year, and because Barton Perreira produces in limited runs, some styles sell through and don’t return.
Where to find Barton Perreira in Chicago
Barton Perreira is one of the most widely stocked designer brands in the CustomEyes network, carried at all 8 locations:
- CustomEyes Evanston (1939 Central Street, Evanston)
- CustomEyes LaSalle (134 N. LaSalle St., Chicago)
- CustomEyes Ogilvie (500 W Madison, Chicago)
- CustomEyes River North (607 N. State St., Chicago)
- CustomEyes Roscoe Village (2110 W. Roscoe St., Chicago)
- CustomEyes Southport (3539 N Southport Ave, Chicago)
- CustomEyes Broadway (3123 N. Broadway, Chicago)
- CustomEyes Logan Square (2650 N. Milwaukee, Chicago)
Selection varies by location. Southport and River North tend to carry broader Barton Perreira collections, but any CustomEyes can order in specific styles if your favorite isn’t in stock. The full brand-by-location list is updated as inventory changes.
What a Barton Perreira fitting looks like
Barton Perreira frames reward proper fitting more than most brands. The acetate is cut to specific thicknesses that feel different on different face widths, and the titanium collections have very specific balance points that shift how the frame sits on your nose.
A typical fitting at CustomEyes includes:
- A conversation about your current glasses and what you want to change
- Hands-on try-on with 3 to 6 Barton Perreira shapes matched to your face
- A professional pupillary distance (PD) measurement taken with the actual frame on your face
- Lens recommendations based on your prescription and how you use your glasses
- Follow-up adjustments when the finished glasses arrive
The free frame styling appointment at CustomEyes runs 30 minutes and is the most efficient way to see what works on your face. Custom fittings for eyeglasses are what make a Barton Perreira frame feel as good as it looks.
Pricing and what to expect
Barton Perreira optical frames typically start around $500 and climb to $700 to $900 for the more intricate acetate and titanium styles. Sunglasses are similar. Enamel and precious-metal-detailed styles can cost more. Lenses are priced separately.
Compared to mass-market fashion eyewear at similar prices, you’re paying for real Japanese craftsmanship rather than a licensing fee. Barton Perreira customers tend to keep their frames for 5+ years, which makes the cost-per-wear math favorable for people who spend most of their waking hours in glasses.
The case for handmade eyewear over factory alternatives runs through exactly this kind of long-term math. For the broader Chicago context, designer eyeglasses shoppers can compare Barton Perreira against the rest of the city’s top brands.
Frequently asked questions about Barton Perreira in Chicago
Where are Barton Perreira frames made?
All Barton Perreira frames are handmade in Japan by artisans at factories that have been in operation for generations. The brand does not produce in mass-market factories.
Is Barton Perreira the same as Oliver Peoples?
No, but they share a lineage. Bill Barton (former Oliver Peoples president) and Patty Perreira (former VP of design) founded Barton Perreira in 2007 after Oakley acquired Oliver Peoples. The two brands are independent companies today.
Can Barton Perreira frames be made with prescription lenses?
Yes. Any Barton Perreira optical or sunglass frame can be fit with prescription lenses. Photochromic options (lenses that adjust with daylight) are available on most styles.
Are Barton Perreira frames covered by vision insurance?
Vision insurance typically covers a portion of lens costs and may apply a frame allowance to the total purchase price. Coverage depends on your specific plan. The CustomEyes team will verify your vision insurance benefits before you commit.
Are Barton Perreira women’s and men’s styles different?
The collection is largely unisex by design, but certain shapes lean more traditionally masculine or feminine in proportion. Designer glasses for women in Chicago cover which Barton Perreira styles tend to land best for female shoppers.
Book your appointment at the CustomEyes nearest you to try Barton Perreira in person, or shop the latest designer eyewear online before you visit.
