Niloca

Niloca Recherché Eyewear, Original Eyewear Designs, made in France, created in Australia for characters with confidence.

Niloca Eyewear is an Australian eyewear design house, with a collective 70 years experience in Optical Dispensing, Eyewear Design and Eyewear Manufacture. Niloca Designs and Manufactures eyewear for eyes that need them. Niloca's quality materials, compliment quality lenses while preserving character and personality. Our small production volumes insure quality frames, materials and designs.

Niloca is back with our latest collection a true innovation in science, art and the humanities - we've worked decades de...
01/04/2026

Niloca is back with our latest collection a true innovation in science, art and the humanities - we've worked decades developing skills to understand materials and customers.

We've travelled hundreds of thousands of kilometres to visit and feel what people are saying to design. We've travelled nearly as far in time to read about the human condition through story, song and art. We've tested and productionised feedback from countless hours of real empathy to real problems and desires of our broader customers.

We've included people from well beyond optics, fashion and design, people we've met in real community - this is truly immersive design, elevating opinions.

And now our search for opinions can finally be unveiled.

Cast your mind back, it started with frame in frame design thinking way back in 2011 - now let's flip that - announcing the results, more quality, more style, less money let's take the frame ... AWAY !!

Introducing our Frameless Collection.

The pursuit of professional stability and collecting friends has, over time, necessitated a quiet but total exchange of individual personality for the reliable predictability of their roles. For both the senior civil servant Ares and customer service executive manager Koalesmos, their dreams once taught to them have been incrementally replaced by the rhythmic, requirements of their respective mission statements on which to model their lives via subtle withholding tactics of inclusive reinforcement Likes and future safe promises.

Their identities, primarily defined by the functional spaces they occupy, reactive to popularist opinion chambers, watching reel after reel from the interior of a sedan or a shared storage aisle—where personal values smoothed away to better fit the standardised expectations of profit margins and DMs, for fear of being excluded should their real human self find agency of voice. Perpetuating a desire for more by doing less by taking from others. Why be inspired, why let others prosper - lie back and think of submission.

If you can't have a laff on April 1, when can you.

Don't be a Grinch this April Oneth, an April Grinch - the Ape-rinch.

A terrific trio trending, smiles that pop to light a room, what more can an Industrial Designer hope for. It's the journ...
13/11/2025

A terrific trio trending, smiles that pop to light a room, what more can an Industrial Designer hope for.

It's the journey that started years ago for this frame, interrupted by an extended halt before shedding the skin of pretense to expose what is, this is the honesty, a comfort amongst authentic peers, appreciating a craft and profession without the hyperbolic posturing - just an air of realness.

Thank you for an amazing night of quality.







0 Days to 15 years, the year is 2025Zero days to again.Have you ever wondered why studying or typing at a computer is ha...
06/11/2025

0 Days to 15 years, the year is 2025

Zero days to again.

Have you ever wondered why studying or typing at a computer is harder when background music emanates from the monitor? The obscure phenomenon is known as limited auditory spatial filtering, a reason many find it more comforting to hear music from headphones or rear surround speakers... - And what's that got to do with glasses?? – you're right - kind of - I find this obscure fact sketchworthy, it offers directional balance, tapered lines, matt surfaces – they all represent form for a function.

This intangible esoteric α sparks draws me to draw, like a collision at the LHC. I've been doing my absolute best productionising this process as eyewear, packaging for unpackaging is waste and because I'm not afraid to delve into inspired obscurity it has inspired those who make my eyewear. The team cutting and forming my glasses love to receive something unique, they want challenging unrepetitious in their 9-5 too.

This creative pursuit as time suddenly surges with lamented losses brings broader meaning to individual nuance. It's not until faced with the faceless that time becomes a race to slow down to fit more in.

Zero days to again, is my truth as I can't help but be inspired and rewarded when someone chooses my glasses over literally billions of others – and when that one design of mine makes 'that' smile which came from deep inside you – well that's all I ever needed or wanted - to bring the better from yesterday best out for the world to see today.

Thank you.

1 Day to 15 years, the year is 2024The colours from the Sunsets posted a couple days ago inspired the acetate for the BM...
05/11/2025

1 Day to 15 years, the year is 2024

The colours from the Sunsets posted a couple days ago inspired the acetate for the BMX Collection. I didn't feel Sunsets was a good name for a series, it reminds me of the classic Powder Finger hit from the 90's, which was down beat. And the original concept of this frame from 2014-ish was for a hybrid horn acetate frame. It's now Japanese titanium coloured and paired with satin sheen pearlescent Italian acetate giving a quiver of chatoyancy. It's pretty cool, even after all these years, it's like a normal pair of glasses, only cooler – kind of like when the BMX came out. It's still a bike – but way cooler.

This really is the basis of Industrial Design, not the STEM or mechanical binary part of learning technical proficiency, it's the lens, filter and recollection joining experiences visited and otherwise completely abstract elements into a graphic form, be that art, photography, sculpture, architecture, car design or eyewear design. This isn't the art of conversing orally, this is a visual conversation.

And I can't emphasis this more than an innocent chat with an eyewear friend, who's design process is completely 2D. I once showed him a 3D model, for all intents and purposes the model looked flat on the computer screen – as it kind of had a 3D squashed feel about it. Then I moved the mouse and the model tilted – he commented – ohh it Shifted. It was the same image, viewed completely differently, my 3D model eyewear is yet to be officially released, his flat shift model was out the following season. His experience was looking at flat 2D drawing computer programs, mine has always been 3D, the lens and filter he applied was challenged when I spun the model on a 2D screen to reveal a 3D shape, his recollection of computer screens and design refinement process was immediately rewired.








2 Days to 15 years, the year is 2023Secretly, whilst leaning into crazy as a form of crazy filter, travelling Australia,...
05/11/2025

2 Days to 15 years, the year is 2023

Secretly, whilst leaning into crazy as a form of crazy filter, travelling Australia, visiting Water Buffalo processing facilities and producing mountains of sketches I was contacted by . Who had originally bought a Niloca frame from in Sydney in 2014 and we communicated all things design for years. And now nearly 10 years on, we kind of nervously said and asked what was probably on our mind for years.

So we agreed to meet in Sydney for a brunch and finally discussed a collaboration, much to the relief of our partners. The inspiration? Alvin's incredible stories of Malaysian home feasts! Alvin's beautiful stories growing up and the rich, local flavours of Malaysian food. That passion for authentic creation became the backbone of this collection, Alvin+Niloca. Released in 2023 in 3 colours and 8 frames, a limited number of titanium pieces to convey the energy and amazing talents of Alvin.

Later in the year the custom made Mullet Collection was finally ready for release.

The diamond shaped temple and frame front connection proved precise like a jewel. The most amazing element about this frame no one would truly see, it's the quality, it's beyond reproach. The new tools formed a closed loop system of eco-place-safety. Specifically, the processes utilised for creating such a wonderful piece are safer for workers somatic and visceral health, but also the environment. The main contributing factor, the final finishing process of polishing, it eliminates dust particle mater and my favourite thing – lasers – which off-gas, requiring a complicated process of micro/nano particle capture. Specifically the textured curved surfaces with micro linear details are reminiscent of fine combed hair when admired closely. From a distance the business at front and party at the back ethos of the mullet is pronounced. The initial release of 8 colours and 8 models, the crowd favourite inspired by my amazing regional family home town of Kyneton, called the Kynullet. The perfectly shaped frame reflects the amazing values and inspiration this perfect community brings.

See +2,000 pieces from 15 years

3 Days to 15 years, the year is 2022Things got a bit nutty – but we had fun remembering friends and associates from over...
05/11/2025

3 Days to 15 years, the year is 2022

Things got a bit nutty – but we had fun remembering friends and associates from overseas who's conversations and touch points on our lives contributed to our drive to create.

The antidote to a curfew is bold design, making hay while the Sun wanes, things are getting better. An approach that embraces creative freedom over conformity. This period sparked a radical decision, resetting four years of accumulated work on the Mullet, BMX, and Graffiti collections. Instead of adhering to the E-E-A-T algorithm of results, the choice was made to pursue an authentic, spirited vision, akin to the rebellious energy of youth culture.

The curfew pivot brought brighter, popping colours across the collections and the realisation of a complex, unique temple design. Resolving the intricate diamond-pivot was an 8 month process and the productionisation stands as a testament to exceptional repeatable quality and passion of our craftspeople. Thinking freely with inherent optimism derived from deprived perseverance and critical analysis is not a privilege, as merit transcends entitlement.

Further inspired by the vivid sunsets of our Western travels, a conceptual filtered Optical Art Gallery was born. This involves a central installation behind a pentagon of tinted glass walls. Each distinct tint acts as a light filter over some equally coloured elements within, selectively cancelling out elements of the scene. A brief discussion with an art gallery curator friend confirmed her keenness upon presentation.

Finding the freedom to think and create something truly new can be challenging, but it is essential. Clearing away unwanted distractions, via the gross Dad beard and social media demeanor. Swept away are the sycophantic, superficial social dynamics for unrestricted genuine innovation.

4 Days to 15 years, the year is 2021Design became the anchor.My 'Sketch a Day' diary became an essential source of inspi...
04/11/2025

4 Days to 15 years, the year is 2021
Design became the anchor.

My 'Sketch a Day' diary became an essential source of inspiration, channelling energy into the extensive refinement and evolution of the Mullet and BMX Collections. The colours of which can be seen in the inspired Sunsets moving West. Places like Streaky Bay, Cocklebiddy (with it's own unique 45 minute time zone), Busselton and Cape Leveque to name but a few.

Inspiration also came from 8,000km home-schooling road trips, the new normal, often measured by the completion of a Percy Jackson instalment. The road offered a profound connection to the natural world, bobbing in the ocean and sensing the immense power of a wave approaching the shore. The collision of mass and gravity, accelerating and culminating in a resounding BOOM, an intense struggle of water and gravity, punctuated with oxygen filled air as water molecules collided. This was all the caffeine I needed to start the day.

While navigating the challenges of a micro-business with limited financial support, a difficult reality when observing others less impacted. So I chose to focus on our core mission as the true betrayal lay not in the system, but in the distraction it caused from my purpose.

Despite facing significant hurdles, including housing changes as city folk accelerated Landlord sales, the demand for Niloca Eyewear surged with the shift to ZOOM life. My dedication remained fixed, to honour and sustain our long-standing, family-owned suppliers, ensuring their stability and livelihood, because this too shall pass.

Though global supply chains grew increasingly complex, our commitment held fast. While external factors shifted, including a temporary narrowing of creative discourse where difference was questioned, my multicultural foundation and the inherent resilience passed down by refugee parents became my strength. This difficult time simply reaffirmed the power of independent thought and the unshakeable value of quiet community support over fleeting trends.

5 Days to 15 years, the year is 2020.The international eyewear show ledger read; Milan, New York CANCELLED.Confirming th...
04/11/2025

5 Days to 15 years, the year is 2020.

The international eyewear show ledger read; Milan, New York CANCELLED.
Confirming the Silmo gut feel.

This challenging period underscored the value of life, a messy life, and we hold the deepest respect for lives unnecessarily lost.

Through critical analysis in a safe space with safe friends, we flipped a negative. This landscape offered an opportunity to reconnect with a 2014 project. It led to an extraordinary opportunity to further deepen long-standing connections with the Indigenous First Nations People of Australia.

The collaboration, focused on managing an invasive species, the Water Buffalo.

This introduced species has beautiful, keratin rich horn, light-weight, durable highly respected mottainai. And it was otherwise discarded for the meat, exported to feed billions in a neighbouring continent. Mottainai demonstrating the chance to champion a carbon neutral material, while inspiring a new chapter local for communities.

But amidst contradictory global information and mandatory isolation, a demanding reality jabbed at my arm. My chronic pulmonary condition placed health and safety first, with proactive measures to embrace a liberating escape, driving across Australia to start the 2014 project. As home schooling was the norm this became easy homework in our 4WD. Though online environments were fraught with judgement, the core strength lay in choosing a pragmatic path and quiet dignity.

Escaping the emotional noise wasn't a retreat from creativity, it was a necessary step to reclaim forward progress and honour a personal history rooted in seeking freedom and equality.

6 Days to 15 years, the year is 2019A year of N**e Tennis and too much drama.Back on an overseas plane every 6 weeks, tr...
02/11/2025

6 Days to 15 years, the year is 2019

A year of N**e Tennis and too much drama.

Back on an overseas plane every 6 weeks, tragedy struck cutting short a Niloca tour on day 2 of 21 with only 1 of 15 Trunk Shows completed. The joys of a micro self-funded business means personal life is never far from professional life. Consequently a weirdo clump of stalking stalkers, the toxic gas-lighting DM variety, embroiled themselves into my space – submissive yet controlling. Cresendoing the trio of bad, brooding feels at Silmo.

That out of the way, things can only get better … right ... but the question remained, should I cancel 2020 production after a hugely successful Silmo? The Accountant and Bookeeper indicated GREEN FOR GO – PLACE THE ORDER !!

Back to N**e Tennis, the creative idea of a N**e frame is to suspend belief in gravity, to give an impression of a floating frame. I researched and sourced a harder stiffer, higher grade Japanese acetate. The idea to have super crystal clear 'n**e' temples and a coloured frame front. Simple enough.... called the Suburbs Collection, I named it after my favourite inner Melbourne haunts. The frame front is a subtle two-tone colour variant produced by frictional light distortion.

The Tennis collection, super light-weight acetate frames are always difficult to make interesting. Popping extra colours is one trick – but adding design detail can become superfluous clutter – too little it becomes boring. For this I tried a fluted chevron styled temple to graphically illustrate direction, which when traced meets a dot over a cross. This tiny detail is a result of watching too much tennis and Hawk-Eye. Seeing a computer rendered ball hit the lines with a comet path trailing. Away from Summer recreation at the beach Aussie love Tennis.

Lastly, the successful Chopsticks were a re-released, my favourite being Da-Kuaizi, an asymmetric frame with a smoke stack. I maintained the same extruded and melding acetate process to form shapes, the rod like shapes with rounded temple-pin tips accentuate the frame front as either a contrast, texture or shape, but equally complimentary when coloured to reframe from fame.

7 Days to 15 years, the year is 2018The year started well, starting and finishing the Optical Dispenser course, a new Ze...
02/11/2025

7 Days to 15 years, the year is 2018

The year started well, starting and finishing the Optical Dispenser course, a new Zero Waste Collection, ooh and then a minor surgery going horribly wrong, resulting in a very near death experience with a Doctor's 6 month travel ban.

The Zero Waste collection, challenged traditional frame making technology which involves cutting the shape from an acetate plate, resulting in waste.

Going back a step and altering the cast process, would mean the frame shape is made on the material production machine.

Think of casting like pulling spaghetti from a machine, not injection moulding, that is an industrial high energy resource intensive process and it's also not a resin, which is a thermoset chemical process. Pulling acetate, like pasta noodles, means the machine can make Campanelle or Casarecce.

And that's what we did – it took a few years to sort out, but we sorted it.

I wasn't prepared though for the bemused establishment, "How dare you – an oversharing, socially cumbersome, uncouth Aussie, make such a beautiful thing”. The horror.
They were angry at my process (but also themselves), like super passive aggressive “you're not coming to my party” angry at me... a little independent house Dad me, for coming up with a process that was environmentally sound!! Again, only a minority, but the echo chamber of the self preserving, the people I admired, instead of choosing to work with me, they attacked me. It hurt.

One person persisted with the questions, to which I replied – Look, I'm an industrial designer, I know you believe I just draw things on a computer and go to a cheap factory, but I have my professional secrets – you are a marketing brand and distribution specialist – so I'll tell you what, if you share your CRM, ERP and CAC data secrets, I'll be more than happy to share with you my secrets.

We hugged it out and I had dinner with their family in 2019, because that's what adults in a mature relationship do.

Frankness is a Goddess.

And with that the ChopStick Collection was released, the zero waste, low energy, eco acetate the style inspired by calligraphy strokes and geo-cultural-specific chopsticks.

8 Days to 15 years, the year is 2017After the bouncy bubbly arrival on the eyewear scene, followed by growing pains and ...
01/11/2025

8 Days to 15 years, the year is 2017

After the bouncy bubbly arrival on the eyewear scene, followed by growing pains and teenage schoolyard angst, here we are approaching adulthood and finding our groove.

The Aussie dollar is strong and creativity can flourish in an open market without that pressure of financial interest rates owed. The advantage of a strong Aussie dollar saw the traditions of conventional thinking, based on the everything is alright theory, adjusted, because everything isn't alright and sometimes a newer new is needed.

Lucky for me, newer than new, the more original view would benefit more than a few.

As mentioned days ago, much larger forces are at play when design for production and distribution are gamed geo-politically. The Australian strength now complimented unbridled creativity in a light weight foray for facial display.

The first Hyperfocus Collection sold out quickly and finally a second was ready for release. Featuring custom solid 16mm Italian factory acetate and much finer CNC details due to a new $750,000 machine.

Australian Manufacturing returned this year with the B-Collection, the Laser Tattoo series - I know, I know - again with the lasers. This collection of Bicycle inspired freedom and connection frames were all art house for the hot house.

A nod to public figures, as at this stage quite a few celebrities, musicians, artists, adventurers, librarians and politicians joined the Niloca tribe, proving character over profession shine with authentic expression.

See more at the 15yr Gallery Event.

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