Every now and then, a collaboration comes along that just makes sense. Not the sort of brand-slaps-logo-on-thing sort of collab, but the kind where two like-minded souls get in a room and end up making something neither could’ve managed alone. This, we’re glad to report, is one of those.
The latest team-up from Jacques Marie Mage sees them join forces with Haider Ackermann. The current creative director for Tom Ford and Canada Goose, Ackermann is a designer who’s spent a career making beautifully dramatic clothes for people who like their tailoring with a bit of edge.
It’s a natural pairing. JMM have long had a knack for making eyewear that feels more like a small sculpture than a functional object, and Ackermann brings that same romance-meets-rebellion energy to the table. The result is a limited-edition trio that’s refined and a little bit unruly all at once: Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspard.
Eagle-eyed readers (and anyone who paid extra attention in RE class) might recognise those as the traditional names of the Three Wise Men. Whether that’s a deliberate nod to the whole ‘bearing gifts’ thing or just a happy accident, we couldn’t tell you, but three frames, three kings, three little gifts of acetate and titanium feels about right to us.
Melchior
An ode to the sort of person who charts their own course (preferably with a bit of poetry and precision), the Melchior is a sleek, rectangular number handcrafted from 10mm plant-based acetate. That’s a lot of acetate, which means a boldly beveled brow and those chunky, sculptural temples JMM do so well. Look closely and you’ll spot double-laminated temples, polished metal adornments with a subtle nautical motif, exposed wirecores and custom hinges finished with fine hairline detailing. In short: a frame that rewards a second glance.
Balthazar
Where Melchior is all sharp angles, Balthazar makes its case in the round: a minimalist silhouette that’s every bit as confident, just softer at the edges. A combo frame pairing a sculptural, plant-based acetate front with slender temples handcrafted from 100% beta titanium. There’s a finely engraved ‘arrowhead’ motif for those who appreciate the details, plus JMM’s signature temple tips finished with handpainted epoxy. Understated, but never dull.
Gaspard
Last but not least, the Gaspard. A study in suave restraint, and proof that you don’t need to shout to make an impression. Handcrafted from 100% beta titanium, it distils a healthy dose of ’60s sophistication into a sleek rectangular frame, complete with a distinctive monobrow that flows straight into the temples. Hairline epoxy details add a bit of tonal nuance, while polished black temple tips bring the whole thing to a tailored, precise finish.
Three frames each have a slightly different take on the same idea: that a pair of glasses can be an object of real emotional resonance, and not just something you reach for when the menu’s gone blurry. Bold, individual, and made to last, this is Jacques Marie Mage and Haider Ackermann at their considered best.
Wise men indeed. Shop the full Jacques Marie Mage x Haider Ackermann collection here.
