Alain Mikli
EssilorLuxottica · France
Alain Mikli is a French luxury eyewear brand founded in Paris in 1978 by designer Alain Miklitarian. It is known for handmade frames with distinctive colours and shapes and is today part of Luxottica.
| Founded | 1978, Paris |
|---|---|
| Founder | Alain Miklitarian |
| Owner | Luxottica |
| Known for | Shutter shades |
| Website | alainmikli.com |
What is Alain Mikli?
Alain Mikli is a French eyewear brand named after its founder, the French Armenian designer Alain Miklitarian. It is known for high-end, handmade glasses with distinctive colours and shapes, and treats eyewear as both a functional and a decorative object.
History
Miklitarian, born in 1955, opened his design studio in Paris in 1978. By 1983 Elton John was wearing and promoting the frames, which helped build recognition for the label. Later, Kanye West wore Mikli sunglasses in the video for Stronger, and the slatted design became widely known as shutter shades. The brand now operates under Luxottica.
Products and positioning
The collections cover optical frames and sunglasses in luxury price brackets. Recent seasons include the Spring Summer 2026 Alain Mikli Red collection, which uses the brand's layered Biopik acetate construction.
Distribution
Alain Mikli runs boutiques in Paris on Rue des Saints-Pères, in New York, and in Tokyo and Nagoya, and is also sold through opticians.
Why it matters
Alain Mikli helped establish designer eyewear as a fashion statement from the late 1970s onwards. Its absorption into a large eyewear group shows how independent designer labels have been consolidated within the global optical industry.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Alain Mikli?
Alain Mikli is part of Luxottica, the eyewear group within EssilorLuxottica.
Who founded Alain Mikli?
The brand was founded by French Armenian designer Alain Miklitarian, who opened his Paris studio in 1978.