In an era when many fashion labels race to keep pace with trends, AHLEM stands apart patient, precise, and anchored in a philosophy of meaningful creation. In this exclusive conversation, founder Ahlem Manai-Platt opens up about the brand’s strategic evolution, new leadership, and the uncompromising values guiding its future.
Opening the Door to Investment — On Her Terms
For AHLEM, welcoming outside investment was never simply a financial decision. It was a matter of alignment.
“It came down to the people,” Ahlem explains. After meeting 1686 Partners, she felt an immediate instinctive connection. “I knew that if AHLEM were to welcome an external partner, it would have to be someone who truly understood our values. They support the vision, they respect the pace of craftsmanship, and they trust us to lead the creative direction.”
This partnership provides room for growth, but never at the expense of the brand’s soul. “Their involvement allows the brand to grow while keeping our integrity at the center of every decision.”
A New CEO, a Clearer Creative Path
The appointment of Enrico Sanavia as global CEO marks a pivotal moment a move that allows Ahlem to return fully to the creative core of the brand.
“I have known Enrico for many years, and joining forces felt natural,” she says. With her time stretched across operations, sales, and daily logistics, a shift became necessary. “I needed to return to what defines AHLEM — the design, the integrity, and the connection to the artisans. Having Enrico as CEO gives me the space to protect that creative foundation.”
Sanavia brings “clarity and structure,” enabling AHLEM to scale, while safeguarding the nuanced, hand-crafted essence that defines the brand.
Resisting the Trend Cycle — Designing from Stillness
In a landscape dominated by rapid drops and fleeting micro-trends, AHLEM stands rooted in timelessness.
“My inspiration comes from moments, from art, nature, architecture, and stillness,” she shares. AHLEM’s appeal is quietly magnetic “an ‘if you know, you know’ quality” defined by detail, precision, and rigor rather than hype.
Sometimes, maintaining this purity requires distance. “SS26, for example, was designed alone in Hokkaido during a snowy winter. That mental space, far from noise, is what keeps the work grounded.”
Building the Future: Retail Sanctuaries and Global Expansion
Retail sits at the heart of AHLEM’s next phase.
“Our ateliers are designed as small sanctuaries, places where anyone can slow down and feel a moment of calm and poetry,” Ahlem explains. Expanding these serene, immersive spaces is a central priority.
Beyond physical retail, growth opportunities extend to strengthening wholesale collaborations and expanding international e-commerce both essential levers in the brand’s global strategy.
Sustainability as a System, Not a Slogan
For AHLEM, sustainability is a philosophy embedded across the business, not just in materials.
“We avoid unnecessary packaging, choosing useful pouches instead of multiple branded boxes that will be discarded.” All frames are handcrafted in France under strict regulations, and the factory repurposes discarded metal to limit waste.
The brand also introduced (RE)AHLEM, a program where customers return any frame for credit. Returned pieces are refurbished or donated. “Sustainability is not a single action for us, but a continuous way of operating.”
The AHLEM Client — A Trained Eye for Quiet Luxury
Positioned as a high-end eyewear house, AHLEM specializes in architectural silhouettes crafted from precious materials such as 22k gold and plant-based acetates derived from cotton flowers.
“The level of precision defines the brand,” Ahlem notes. Their customer reflects that refinement individuals with a cultivated sense of taste who appreciate “quiet luxury, refinement, and objects made with intention.” Many are connected to architecture, art, or design, and possess a heightened attention to details others might miss.
Bespoke Excellence — AHLEM One of One
At the pinnacle of the brand sits AHLEM One of One, a fully bespoke experience where clients co-create a unique frame with Ahlem herself.
“The silhouette, the proportions, and the character of the piece all come from a shared conversation,” she describes. Each design is then handcrafted in France by a Meilleur Ouvrier de France, resulting in an heirloom-level creation. Demand is rising: “There is a waiting list for this service, and it continues to grow.”
This program distills AHLEM’s identity intimacy, craftsmanship, and profound respect for the handmade.
A Brand Growing Forward, Without Compromise
As AHLEM enters this sophisticated new chapter — with strategic investment, expanded retail, and strengthened leadership — its foundation remains unchanged. Every move is anchored in integrity, artistry, and a reverence for French craftsmanship.
In Ahlem’s own words, the evolution is clear: “It reflects exactly where the brand is today and where it is heading.”
A future shaped by clarity, intention, and the quiet power of true design.
