Do you know who’s behind some of the biggest eyewear brands? If you wear DKNY, Ferragamo, or Calvin Klein, you might not have realized that Marchon is the name behind them.
Marchon’s full roster of brands is pretty impressive, but where does it make its glasses, and are they worth buying?
At a Glance
- Marchon was founded in 1983 in the U.S. to move eyewear manufacturing stateside.
- The company has grown to be one of the biggest global manufacturers producing eyewear for designer brands.
- Some top styles include Nike’s popular eyeglasses and sports sunglasses, classic Calvin Klein, DKNY, Lacoste glasses, and stylish Ferragamo sunglasses.
- Marchon has become a key industry producer of sustainable eyewear by recycling old glasses and reducing chemicals and water use in its plants.
| Key Fact | Details |
| Products reviewed | 3 frames |
| Brands featured | Nike, Ferragamo, Lacoste |
| Styles covered | Rectangular, geometric |
| Best for | Daily wear |
| Frame materials | Acetate, mixed materials |
| Prescription compatible | Most models can be fitted with prescription lenses |
| Price range | 80-300 |
| Who this guide is for | Shoppers looking for stylish everyday sunglasses and eyeglasses |
Marchon: The Global Eyewear Company
Many of us eyewear enthusiasts know about the major brands behind top eyewear collections, but few of us know about the manufacturers. It’s worth knowing who makes your favorite glasses because that directly impacts quality and style.
Marchon is a huge global eyewear manufacturer founded in the U.S. The cofounders, Al Berg, Larry Roth, and Jeff White, founded the company in 1983 (with a small loan of $2 million). But the impressive part was that they did it to bring eyewear design and manufacturing to the States, since many of the companies (such as Luxottica and Essilor) were based abroad.
It’s true that European manufacturers have dominated eyewear, which is why Marchon is exciting. They have offices in New York and abroad, and they run their own factory in Italy.
They don’t own the brands they make eyewear for (besides Marchon NYC); instead, they have licensing agreements. Some of the brands they make glasses for are:
- Lacoste
- Ferragamo
- Calvin Klien
- DKNY and Donna Karen
- Nike
- Karl Lagerfeld
- Kendra Scott
Expansion and Eyewear Innovations
To grow and stay relevant (and get more brands to sign up for licensing deals), Marchon had to come up with innovative products—and, of course, make smart business choices.
In the ‘90s, the company started growing fast and opened international headquarters in Italy. This was a big deal because Italy has long been home to some of the best eyewear factories filled with skilled eyewear artisans. Now the company has offices in more than 20 countries.
Flexon Glasses
One of the biggest innovations that Marchon has come up with is its Flexon frames. While Flexon was a material originally designed by scientists in the ‘60s for NASA, Marchon later commercialized it.
“Flexon” basically means lightweight, durable frames that can be bent or twisted but return to their original shape. The material was originally designed for astronauts in space, so it’s a pretty sturdy option for daily life.
Top Styles Made by Marchon
Sporty Glasses
When it comes to sporty styles, Nike glasses made by Marchon are a great choice. These Nike specs are a popular option that is lightweight, durable, and perfect for those who are active.
Reviewer Vivek agrees:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Exceptional prescription glasses
“Very nice frame. Lightweight and flexible. Prescription lenses were made 100% correct. Excellent quality. Highly recommend them. Very happy customer.”
Affordable Glasses
There are lots of frames made by Marchon that are available at EZContacts for under $100. One example is these cool Lacoste glasses, perfect for everyday wear without breaking the bank.
Fancy Sunglasses
Ferragamo sunglasses by Marchon are one of the best examples of stylish designer glasses. These geometric Ferragamo shades are an example of the high-quality design that Marchon is capable of (even Angeline Jolie was spotted in this pair!).
EZContacts reviewer Mayra loves the look of her sunglasses:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mayra L.
“Beautiful shades 100 authentic! Love them, so fancy!”
Eyewear for Good
Marchon is now a part of VSP Vision, which is a not-for-profit vision health and eye care company (founded in California in the ‘50s). The organization is the largest insurance and benefits provider in the States.
While Marchon is one of their subsidiaries that’s focused on design, it’s probably a big part of why Marchon backs so many social and environmental missions.
Sustainable Eyewear
“Eyes on Tomorrow” is part of Marchon’s initiative to become a more eco-friendly manufacturer. They now use more sustainable materials and recycle old eyewear to produce new pieces.
The recycling mission is part of the “One Sight” program, which allows customers to send their old eyewear to be repurposed or recycled. It’s a smart solution since old eyewear can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills, so Marchon is giving it a new life.
They also use more energy-efficient tech during the manufacturing process and have reduced the amount of water and chemicals used in their factories. While that’s good news for the environment, it also helps keep production costs lower, which is good for consumers.
As many customers are increasingly concerned about what they buy and their environmental impact, Marchon is one eyewear manufacturer that’s stepped up. It’s one reason they’re so popular—they make high-quality products and are a leader in eyewear sustainability.
Social Causes
As part of VSP Vision, Marchon gives back to communities, helping people gain access to eye care and glasses. They make sure their employees have access to eye care and donate to help people have better sight.
The program they donate through, “Eyes of Hope,” has helped over 3 million people gain access to free eye care and eyewear!
FAQs
What is Marchon Eyewear?
Marchon is a U.S.-founded eyewear manufacturer. They design and produce sunglasses and eyeglasses for a range of brands under exclusive licensing deals, such as Calvin Klein and Ferragamo, among many others.
Is Marchon good?
In the eyewear industry, Marchon is a trusted manufacturer with decades of experience making glasses for huge brands. Their Flexon frames and focus on making glasses more sustainably are some of the reasons people love their eyewear.
Who owns Marchon eyewear?
VSP Vision (a not-for-profit U.S. eyecare company) now owns Marchon. They’ve been around since the ‘50s and focus on social causes and eyewear insurance, while Marchon is still an eyewear manufacturer.
