From concept to creation, Johann von Goisern frames are as much a story as they are a product. Not being boring isn’t good enough; the more unusual the better, with every frame meticulously handcrafted to achieve this point of difference in a small part of Austria.
Johann von Goisern is a family company born from the genius of Johann Pomberger who, in 1984, set up his own business in the “production and processing of spectacle frames” in the Austrian market town of Bad Goisern, colloquially referred to as Goisern.
In honour of this strong connection between a family and its hometown, the brand name Johann von Goisern translates, quite simply, to Johann from Goisern.
Nearly 40 years later, and now run by Johann’s grandson, Jürgen Pomberger, the company’s connection to Bad Goisern remains strong.
“We are very connected to nature and to our area. From design, production, and stock, everything is done in this town, and we deliver from Goisern all over the world,” he told mivision.
Mr Pomberger also maintains the family belief that high-quality fashion eyewear doesn’t need to be boring.
“At Johann von Goisern, we love colours. That’s the most important thing. We’ve done colours for the last 40 years and we’ll do colours for the next 100 years. It’s forever,” he said.
“Especially in current times, after the worst of COVID, people love to wear colourful frames because it’s some tiny piece of positivity that can bring them happiness.”
Johann von Goisern’s recent collection for the Northern Hemisphere spring/summer period, for example, was inspired by Pantone’s 2023 colour of the year – Viva Magenta. It’s excitingly reflected in three frames, where different magenta shades cleverly intertwine to represent reflection, change, and innovation.
Lamination Magic
However, there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to the mesmerising effect of the colours Johann von Goisern incorporates in its frames.
“In the 90s we pioneered a lamination process to make unique colour combinations,” he said.
With this laminating process, which he likens to the making of a complex sandwich, a frame can combine up to 20 colours to create original ‘uni-colours’.
“It’s how we make our special colours that nobody else has. We get the raw material from Italy like everybody else, but we do our special lamination process and after many handworked steps, we have special uni-colour blocks for every frame.
“It’s quite a difficult process, but we’ve been doing it for over 30 years now, so we’ve found a really good technique and the right technology to perfect it,” said Mr Pomberger.
After a week of working with raw materials to create custom colours, the Johann von Goisern team begins a four-week process of meticulously handmaking the frames.
“There are over 80 handworked steps to make the Johann von Goisern frames. We also polish each frame by hand to give it a really nice glossy finish,” he said.
The technique itself is an artform, the results of which are one-of-a-kind frames, with colour combinations you won’t find anywhere else.
As well as the attention to design and manufacturing detail, Mr Pomberger said the materials themselves are another strong selling point for the brand. Johann von Goisern frames are solely made of natural cellulose-acetate, which consists of 97% cotton flakes.
“This is also something really nice for our clients because when they wear the frames, they know that it’s a very good product they have on their face,” he said.
Austrian Inspiration
Only 10 minutes away from the Johann von Goisern production site, you will find the beautiful mountains the region is renowned for.
“My father and the design team get their inspiration from the nature around us. Goisern is a very touristy area, we have ski resorts, mountains, lakes, and we have our frame production site. We’re very focussed on giving work to the people of Austria.”
Johann von Goisern’s two main missions are to dare to be different, and to inspire. While they embody the first through their unique designs, the latter is in relation to the people responsible for creating the frames.
“To inspire is really important, it’s the first rule in the whole company,” said Mr Pomberger.
“Everything I do as the boss has to inspire my people. When my people work, they are inspired, because then they make nicer frames, they polish nicer, and the frame looks nicer.
“You can feel if people like what they build and are passionate about it. And this is because we love what we do; the result is seen in the frames – the love of the people that make them.”
Outside the Box
While Johann von Goisern’s main market is in Europe, the company also has strong partnerships in America, Canada, and Australia.
“Our clients trust us – we’re a reliable, family business. We do what we want, and we want to make good products for opticians to sell,” Mr Pomberger said.
Beyond the partnerships it has built over the years, which cement the brand as a trusted name in eyewear, the main drawcard is most definitely its ingenuity.
By daring to be different, Johann von Goisern continues to disrupt design conventions and think outside the box to create never-before-seen pieces that excite.
In his grandfather’s footsteps, Jürgen Pomberger confidently leads the charge to ensure a less boring future for eyewear design.
Johann von Goisern is distributed in Australia by Apollo Optical (AUS) 02 9821 4111, www.apollooptical.com.au.
