Theo eyewear is a Belgian independent eyewear brand founded in Antwerp in 1989, built on a single principle: that a frame should express the person wearing it, not the other way around. Groovy Glasses is proud to stock Theo as one of the few authorised New Zealand stockists, bringing the full depth of the brand’s design philosophy to Christchurch.
A Belgian brand that has never followed trends
Theo was founded by two Antwerp opticians, Patrick Hoet and Wim Somers, who wanted to give their clients something the mainstream market could not offer. The brand name is an anagram of Hoet, a nod to the personal investment behind every design decision. Since that first collection debuted at the Silmo Paris trade show in 1989, Theo has grown to reach 1,400 stores across 50 countries, while remaining a family business headquartered in Antwerp. That Antwerp base is no accident: the city has a long history as a centre for fashion, art and design, and Theo draws directly from that creative culture.
Frames designed around the person, not the trend
Theo operates on the belief that glasses sit in the face, not in front of it. The frame should support the wearer’s personality rather than impose one. That philosophy has guided every collection since the beginning, and it is what separates Theo from brands that design for the moment.
- Design approach: Theo does not follow trends. Each year the brand releases ten new design concepts leading to 50 new models, each developed on its own terms
- Production: A minimum of 25 skilled workers touch each frame during production. Frames are hand-finished at specialist European factories, primarily in Jura, France
- Collaborators: Theo works with established designers including James Van Vossel and Tim Van Steenbergen, as well as emerging talent from the Fashion Academy in Antwerp
- Range: The collection spans asymmetric and sculptural forms through to refined and understated styles. There is a Theo frame for people who want to be noticed and for those who simply want to be themselves
What Theo frames are made from
Theo frames are produced using acetate, titanium, stainless steel and aluminium, often in combination within a single frame. Production takes place in specialist European factories held to standards that go beyond standard optical manufacturing. Each frame is hand-finished, and the brand holds a quality return rate of less than 1%. The materials Theo chooses are selected to serve both the design and the wearer: acetate allows for depth of colour and layering, titanium offers lightweight strength, and stainless steel supports the more architectural and geometric collections.
Try Theo at Groovy Glasses
Groovy Glasses stocks Theo frames in-store in Christchurch, and the team offers a complimentary frame styling appointment to help you find the right fit from the collection. Choosing a Theo frame is a considered decision, and the Eyewear Stylists at Groovy are experienced with the brand across all collections. A frame styling appointment gives you dedicated time with a stylist who understands which Theo designs suit different face shapes, colouring and personal style.