OUR APPROACH
Made in France
At Friendly Frenchy, glasses are much more than just an accessory; they represent a commitment.
As pioneers in the reuse of shellfish by-products, we collect, process and repurpose by-products from the shellfish, eyewear and wine industries into spectacle frames. To master this unique craft, we have created and developed our own supply chains with an in-house workshop.
From our raw materials to the manufacture of our frames, we oversee every stage of our production with creations bearing the Origine France Garantie label.
eco-design
Every pair of glasses we design is the result of rigorous eco-design. In contrast to the overproduction of the optical industry, we have made a conscious choice to produce locally and in limited quantities.
By prioritising short supply chains, production guided by the principles of the circular economy, and sensible production volumes, we guarantee durable, high-quality frames whilst reducing our carbon footprint.
an integrated supply chain
Oysters :
- Les huîtres d’Evariste – Bretagne - Golfe du Morbihan.
- Les Parcs de Saint-Kerber – Bretagne - Cancale.
- Chez Boulan – Gironde - Lège-Cap-Ferret.
- Tarbouriech – Occitanie - Etang de Thau - Marseillan.
Scallops :
- Tomy Journaux - Pêcheur de plongée – Bretagne - Saint-Malo
- Baie de Quiberon - Bretagne
- Ville de Trouville-sur-mer - Normandie
Mussels :
- Mussella - Bretagne - Pénestin
Abalones :
- Sylvain Huchette – Bretagne – Plouguerneau
- Groix Haliotis - Bretagne - Île de Groix
The work of the shell
FROM THE SEA TO THE MATERIAL
Our approach has its roots on the French coast and is driven by a deep conviction: to play an active role in our local area.
Oyster shells, mussel shells, scallop shells, clam shells and even lobster shells… these natural, renewable resources reflect the richness of our environment. Based in Plouharnel in Morbihan, we source them through short supply chains, working directly with local fishermen, oyster farmers, mussel farmers and restaurateurs. Each creation showcases a ‘terroir of the sea’, a resource, the people and their expertise – much of which has been passed down through several generations.
OUR SEARENN® MATERIAL
Our Searenn® material is the result of 10 years of research and development guided by a circular economy approach designed to minimise environmental impact. Searenn® is a marine-based material composed of seafood shells and carapaces combined with a bio-based base material manufactured in France: wood cellulose acetate.
This complex material aims to reduce the proportion of virgin material in our designs, whilst ensuring the preservation of French excellence in eyewear craftsmanship and driving forward best practices. Since 2025, Searenn® has incorporated production offcuts from French eyewear manufacturers into its composition. The result is a material with one of the lowest carbon footprints on the market.
THREE SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
The finishes on our frames are the result of a creative process and colour development drawing on a wide range of inspirations. Each plate is meticulously crafted and available in three distinct styles.
Origin
Origin plates draw inspiration from seashells in their shapes, colours and natural environments.
GLAZ®
Derived from the Old Breton word 'glas', for which there is no direct equivalent in French, this Breton word alone captures the subtle shades of the sea’s colours, which shift with the light, the seasons and the weather. A blend of blue, green and grey.
COMÈTE®
This collection was inspired by our material finishes evoking the Milky Way. The Comète® tiles draw inspiration from the universe, the stars and the galaxy.
The process
1. Collection & Cleaning of shellfish
2. Processing into powder
3. Material production & creation of renderings of acetate sheets
4. Machining of frames
The decline in eyewear production
Whilst traditional handcrafted production is a mark of excellence, it generates over 80% material waste.
As part of our commitment to the circular economy, we have taken on a major challenge facing our industry: the collection, sorting and recycling of production offcuts from French eyewear manufacturers.
Following an initial collection, “Les Recyclées”, launched in 2021, we launched our Balizh® collection in 2023. Designed with a deeply minimalist approach, these 100% recycled frames, handmade and bearing the Origine France Garantie label, reduce the manufacturing process to its purest form.
Drawing inspiration from Saint-Exupéry’s famous maxim – “perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away” – we offer timeless and comfortable designer glasses that sustainably refocus French craftsmanship on function and practicality.
Our other resources
Grape seeds
Much like a food and wine pairing, Friendly Frenchy is setting foot on new ground by venturing into a new creative territory: La Route des Vins
Launched in 2020, Les Vigneronnes® brings our expertise to the heart of France’s wine-growing regions, showcasing organic French grape seeds.
Through this collection, we aim to promote a French way of life by celebrating the richness and diversity of our terroirs.
Produced in limited, numbered editions, this collection features a grape cluster with an anchor-shaped stem, referencing the rows of vines anchored to the ground.
In keeping with our circular approach, the latest capsule collections were crafted using 100% recycled acetate branches sourced from production offcuts sorted in our workshops.
