The History Of Matsuda Eyewear

Derived from the Mind of an Ambitious Designer

The founder Mitsuhiro Matsuda was born in Tokyo, where he was exposed to design from a young age. He attended the city’s renowned design school, Bunka, before moving to Paris to seek inspiration for his clothing line. What he discovered was a passion for the art deco period, the industrial metal of the late nineteenth century, and details of gothic cathedrals.

Matsuda returned to Tokyo in 1967 and created Nicole Co., introducing designs known for intricately detailed, yet surprisingly restrained interpretations of classic style. His clothing became a favorite among celebrities and design aficionados alike throughout the world. He also joined the “Tokyo Design 6,” a group of young, talented designers credited for founding Tokyo Fashion Week.

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Visit Precision Watches & Jewelry, an authorized dealer
at the Willow Grove Park Mall in PA. 

A Vision for Eyewear

Years of success with his clothing label led to the launch of his first Japanese eyewear collection in 1989. The Matsuda eyewear collection immediately captured the attention of consumers and was an essential part of pop culture during the 1990s, featured in films such as Terminator 2, Beetle Juice and Boomerang. The Japanese designer elaborated on his love for the arts by working with photographers like Nan Goldin. Together, they created Goldin Meets Yukio Kobayashi, which won an award in 1996 from the Art Directors Club of New York.

By 1996, he had opened over 500 stores worldwide. Considered one of the leading Japanese menswear designers of his time, Matsuda showcased his collections alongside some of the most highly sought-after brands in the world. His legendary Japanese eyewear line is known for its exquisite craftsmanship and exceptional attention to detail, as well as its use of engraved metals. Painstakingly crafted by hand in the artisanal eyewear workshops of Japan, each Matsuda model represents over 40 years of design history and heritage.

Shop for Matsuda eyewear by visiting
Precision Watches & Jewelry, an authorized dealer
at the Willow Grove Park Mall in PA. 

Rebirthing the Brand

After leaving the market for a few years, Matsuda eyewear was reintroduced in 2012 by CEO James Kisgen, who was previously the director of sales at Cartier. In his new position, Kisgen planned to bring Matsuda back to what it was in the past. By doing so, it allowed Matsuda to develop a more forward-thinking mentality that keeps the brand relevant in terms of materials, designs and style.

Today, art and craftsmanship continue to be Matsuda’s primary inspiration in creating their distinctive eyewear. Their appealing campaigns continue to draw consumers as the company remains one of the best Japanese eyewear brands. All Matsuda eyeglasses are handcrafted in the city of Sabae, Japan, where over 250 steps are required to create a single Matsuda frame by craftsman that have mastered the process through decades of learning, as well as knowledge passed on from generation to generation.

Enduring Designs

The Matsuda eyewear collection is still to this day known for their very elaborate, highly detailed frames—the pinnacle of high-end eyewear. These models genuinely represent a seamless merge between traditional techniques and innovation. Carefully crafted and available in various styles, their exquisite designs is what has customers returning to buy Matsuda eyewear year after year. Though Mitsuhiro Matsuda died in 2008, his passion for developing stylish eyewear by drawing from a diversity of cultural inspiration continues to live on through his influential brand.

Want to shop for Matsuda eyewear? Precision Watches & Jewelry, an authorized dealer at the Willow Grove Park Mall in PA, offers a complete selection of luxury eyewear. Stop by our location, explore our site or contact us today for more details!