Marco Lanero
The ideas that will give life to the collections of Delirious Eyewear are all in his head, in every detail; but to make them real, Marco Lanero needs the collaboration of skilled designers and craftsmen with ‘delicate hands’
words Elisa Zanetti
For Delirious Eyewear, real luxury is to be unique. That’s why its glasses are no-branded and only the customers can decide to have the brand’s name or their own name engraved on the glasses. The concept of the glasses is based on three elements: design, craftsmanship and materials. The design is inspired exclusively by minimal art and clear-cut lines; only Italian hands craft the glasses and the materials are always prestigious. Furthermore, Delirious has signed a co-branding agreement with Zeiss for the lenses which are polarized with five anti-reflective coatings, an oleophobic coating, a hydrophobic coating and an anti-scratch coating.
How did you choose the name Delirious Eyewear?
There are two ideas behind Delirious: Firstly, creating something different to standard market products, like a pair of glasses with a completely new look and technical features you won’t find in the competition and secondly, letting our imagination run wild, especially in the expression of popular enthusiasm.
How did you get the idea to create no-branded glasses?
In the summer of 2012, I was looking for a pair of glasses for myself and I wanted them to be as anonymous as possible, high quality and fashionable. Nothing seemed to be satisfied me, so I decided to go and stay for a while in the Cadore area, where very friendly craftsmen helped me make a very simple acetate model. Back in college in September, many friends and even strangers asked me about the glasses: where they could buy them, the brand and so on. “They’re unbranded,” I told them. “I don’t care, I want them!” everybody replied. That’s when I understood that there’s a widespread demand in Italy for unbranded handmade sunglasses.
What did you do before working in eyewear?
I worked mainly in PR for nightclubs and private parties in Milan and studied economics and management at Bocconi.
How did your passion for eyewear start?
As a child, I had a special attraction to both eyewear and handicraft. I used to go to street markets looking for vintage frames nearly every Sunday.
Do you draw your glasses yourself?
I have an idea of the details of every single collection, but I need the help of my designers to put them on paper and computer since I’m not good at drawing or with computers.
What inspires your collections?
When creating something, we always start from scratch. Simple lines and basic shapes only evolve in detail later.
Which are the most important element of Delirious Eyewear?
High quality materials, Italian craftsmanship and the choice of having a pair of unbranded, branded or customized glasses.
How would you describe the brand’s style?
A style for self-confident people who do not need to prove anything to anyone.
You opened a new workshop in Valenza. How is it different from the others?
It’s a jewellery workshop where my family produces cufflinks and which has recently been expanded to accommodate an eyewear area. Let’s say that delicate hands are essential to produce our glasses, especially when it comes to small parts in titanium and frames in Indian water buffalo horn.
Is there something new that you want to share with us?
An interesting project we are going to take part in, is the SuperDesign Show in via Tortona in Milan, in April. Good news coming, check out our trade shows.