Each piece is handmade in France in small batches to achieve an impossibly high standard of quality and tells a story of artisanal expertise: Throughout production, glasses travel to three specialized ateliers and into the hands of nine skilled artisans, each with a particular craft passed down through generations.
Timeless Design. Thoughtful Craftsmanship. Parisian Soul.
Born from a quiet moment of inspiration in a Parisian café, AHLEM began not as a business plan but as a feeling—a sketch in a notebook, a conversation among friends, and the loss of a beloved pair of vintage sunglasses that sparked something deeper. For Paris-born designer Ahlem Manai-Platt, it was the beginning of a pursuit to create eyewear that transcends time, trend, and expectation.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2014, AHLEM has remained steadfast in its philosophy: that true beauty lies in integrity. From its debut collection of nine handmade frames crafted in plant-based acetate, the brand emerged with a fully realised point of view—one that continues to resonate across its boutiques in Paris, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Each piece is a study in balance—organic lines, elegant geometries, and meticulous detail. AHLEM frames are handcrafted in small ateliers in France and Japan, using heritage techniques passed down through generations. Every element is considered, every material consciously chosen: from naturally non-toxic titanium and eco-friendly lenses to the finest sustainable acetates. These are objects made not just to be worn, but to be cherished.
AHLEM is a celebration of purity in design and process—a quiet luxury rooted in craftsmanship, ethics, and enduring style.
