First Look: Christopher Esber Swaps Occasion-Wear for Eyewear With a New Specsavers Collab

Earlier this year, Christopher Esber released a 20-piece bridal collection. Now, he’s releasing a 20-piece eyewear collection with Specsavers which debuted at Esber’s spring/summer ’26 Paris Fashion Week runway yesterday.

This collection has been two and a half years in the works. It’s a little unexpected; Esber’s 15-year-old label is frequently snapped on celebs like Dua Lipa , Zendaya and Hailey Bieber, and Specsavers is a 41-year-old global optometry and audiology brand.

“Being able to reach more people [is] really exciting for me,” Esber tells Broadsheet. “All the other Australian brands before me, like your Alex Perrys or Collette Dinnigans, they’ve all done a really amazing job creating a niche for themselves within this category. It’s super inspiring to be part of that legacy now.”

As one of Australia’s rising designers, Esber is on his way to household-name status. He has a slate of ready-to-wear garments, shoes and accessories that file under occasion-wear, resort wear and elevated wardrobe staples, and he has a stable of six sunglasses under his own label.

“My [approach to eyewear] is more fashion and fantasy, while there’s more of a functionality with Specsavers which I really love,” he says. This collaborative collection balances Specsavers’ utility with Esber’s sharp design sensibility. Esber, who’s known for his sensual designs, sought to imbue this DNA into his Specsavers pieces.

“It was really just looking at what [our] brand is known for and finding ways to bring that into eyewear,” Esber says. You’ll find his signature hardware detailings, sculptural finishes and organic lines throughout the frames’ designs.

There are subtle orbital points on some of their temple tips and hinges, wave-inspired temples (the “arms” of glasses) as well as delicate “CE” eponymous metal details. The glasses are undoubtedly cool, fusing futuristic elements with classic styles.

“It’s very much inspired by nature, which is also the colour palette. [It’s] kind of a jungle-scape,” he says. “This idea of connection to nature is so much of the brand. Living in Australia, I’m always surrounded by nature. I think for me and a lot of people, it’s kind of how we recharge.”

Does Esber himself wear glasses? “I don’t, personally, not yet. But I feel like my time’s coming,” he laughs. And when it does, he’ll have his pick of frames.

The 20-piece Christopher Esber collection is exclusively available in-store and online at Specsavers from October 16.

specsavers.com.au

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