In less than a year, The Other Glasses has generated a quiet revolution — and a lot of noise — across Europe’s luxury eyewear landscape. Founded by Andra Simina, the brand is reshaping design, production and experience standards in an industry long anchored in outdated narratives.
Andra, who bridges the worlds of business and fine art, studied sculpture at the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti di Torino under the acclaimed artist Fabio Viale (known for collaborations with names like Marcelo Burlon) and holds a master’s degree from Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). With over 8 years of experience in the luxury sector and having previously been part of other brands, her approach fuses creativity, precision, and business acumen into a fully integrated, 360-degree model — from design and marketing to logistics, assembly and supply chain.
With its debut collection, “The Origins”, The Other Glasses has already entered some of Europe’s most prominent optical stores. Now, the brand is slowly but steadily preparing to launch its next chapter, “Essence”, firmly repositioning itself in the ultra-high-end luxury sector.
“We built The Other Glasses to be a brand that covers every aspect of the journey — from creation to design, production, logistics, marketing and distribution. We seek to disrupt outdated standards, not just aesthetically, but structurally. ” says Andra.
The Birth of The Other Glasses
“We weren’t newcomers to the eyewear world — we were observers who identified systemic flaws, while actively being part of other projects and brands. ” Andra explains. “Eyewear is the only fashion product that’s both a necessity and an expression of self. It merges technology and art, yet the industry is stagnating. We want to establish a new language — technologically, aesthetically and in terms of business.“
The brand name came naturally: memorable, direct and impactful.
Andra and her team believe that in the next decade, eyewear will evolve beyond vision correction and The Other Glasses aims to build the community and infrastructure for that future.
“We’re not just selling frames; we’re building, brick by brick, the necessary ecosystem for what’s coming next. We’ve been truly humbled to see our products enter major European stores within the first nine months and we are already sold out on some of the products.”
Concept and Philosophy
At its core, The Other Glasses blends functionality, art, craftsmanship and emotional experience.
“We wanted to design something people could wear 15 hours a day — not just an optical tool, but an extension of identity,” says Andra. “The Other Glasses is a mix between a functional instrument and a fashion accessory. Following our artistic background, we wanted it to ultimately become a collectible art object.”
Drawing from her artistic background, Andra ensured the brand offers more than a product — it offers an experience. From the tactile feeling of the case to the hardcover catalog, every detail is intentional.
“Our aim is not to sell frames, but create experiences. The moment you touch our packaging or try our glasses on — it should be memorable — like a sensory connection. For a brand launched less than a year ago, we did our best, and hopefully achieved a level of detail quite uncommon in the industry.”
A 360° Business Model
One of the brand’s key differentiators is its fully integrated 360-degree structure. Everything — from design and marketing to assembly and logistics — is managed internally.
“We’ve focused on creating both a premium product and a premium service ecosystem for our partners and clients” says Andra. “It’s about building quality at every level, not just in the frames themselves.”
This includes free logistics and returns for retail partners, an innovative online warranty system, and a custom-built B2B platform designed in-house. The brand even maintains a 10% production archive for each model to guarantee seamless replacements — a level of service uncommon in the category.
Challenges and Industry Realities
The Other Glasses’ rise hasn’t been without resistance.
“We faced setbacks early on when a few prominent agents discontinued communication after initial sales, following external pressures.” Andra reveals. “Therefore we decided to work only with people who share our values and goals, like Frank Tiesma of Eyeconic in Utrecht.”
“We’ve also seen elements from our website, animations, and visuals copied by major brands. We honestly see it as flattery — an indisputable proof that we’re on the right track. Our frames, designed under our creative direction, are developed in Belluno, Italy. We’ve integrated in our team some of the best specialists in the field — professionals who work with the most prestigious eyewear manufacturers — to ensure perfect facial geometry and an outstanding fit.”
To protect the integrity of its creative network, The Other Glasses has made its entire core team — from designers to developers — partners, maintaining discretion until all systems are fully established.
“We come from a former communist country, where trust is neither assumed nor given lightly. That background sharpened our instincts and strengthened our discipline. We try not to complain but learn, evolve and build further.”
The Collections: The Origins & Essence
The debut collection, The Origins, served as the foundation — defining the brand’s DNA and setting new production benchmarks.
“When we launched The Origins nine months ago, our goal was to create a functional product with soul — crafted to the highest standards of quality. We wanted to offer a fashion refined alternative to functional brands. Our detailing — from individually numbered frames to the overall experience and communication — carried the spirit of the ultra high-end segment, even though our prices remained grounded.”
Now, with Essence, The Other Glasses enters ultra-luxury territory, elevating design complexity while preserving the purity and comfort that define the label.
“The Origins was about setting standards; Essence is about evolution and the meticulous path to discovering the quintessence of each design.” Andra says. “We’ve shown that even the most classic frame silhouettes can be reinvented into collectible pieces. The Other Glasses is not about fast fashion and seasons. We see stores as our partners — we create value for them and help preserve it. That’s why we believe boutiques should invest in independent brands and numbered frames, so their portfolio doesn’t lose value within six months if some pieces don’t sell, avoiding ending up with dead stock. Furthermore, the Essence collection will be produced in an ultra-limited run of only 100 pieces per model, with priority reserved for the boutiques that believed in us from day one.”
On Trends and Originality
“Coming from a culture built on sharp observation and anticipation, we reckon next year we’ll see an overflow of Art Deco and Empire State-inspired frames — and probably get tired of them rather quickly,” Andra notes. “ In a world where trends change in the blink of an eye and people chase fleeting thrills to stay relevant, we believe that authenticity and originality will ultimately define the future of luxury — not seasons, not excess, but unwavering quality.”
What’s Next for The Other Glasses
Rooted in Romania, the brand has chosen to remain there for one crucial reason: control.
“Romania gives us the ability to keep everything in-house and ensure quality. It’s also becoming Europe’s leading hub for luxury production — Louis Vuitton, Prada and Moncler, all big groups manufacture here. We built a 360-degree company because something much bigger is coming once we launch Essence and consolidate our position. This is the foundation of a new era in eyewear.” Andra hints.
In a market crowded with claims of innovation, The Other Glasses has done something rare — it has delivered. Precision, transparency and audacity have positioned the brand not just as a newcomer, but as a force reshaping what luxury eyewear can be.
Blending art and engineering with a fiercely independent spirit, it has proven that true luxury doesn’t need noise — only integrity, mastery, and vision. These are the glasses everyone is talking about: frames born from rigorous craft, quiet confidence, and a philosophy where luxury never compromises on comfort.
The Other Glasses is not chasing the future of eyewear — it is building it.
[…] The Other Glasses – refined, limited-edition eyewear that blends quiet luxury with meticulous technical precision. […]