Longchamp has built a global reputation for effortless Parisian style, refined craftsmanship, and accessories that balance luxury with practicality. Those same qualities are now expressed through its eyewear collections, where iconic design cues from the maison’s best-known leather goods are reinterpreted into sophisticated, wearable frames.
Throughout the company’s history, an iconic galloping horse, designed by French artisan Turenne Chevallereau, has been the brand’s emblem of elegance.
Today, Longchamp eyewear is designed and distributed under licence by Marchon Eyewear. mivision spoke to Marchon’s chief product officer, Gabriele Cappelli, to find out more.
Q. Tell us about Longchamp as a brand: what does the Longchamp brand stand for and why do people love it?
Longchamp stands for authentic Parisian elegance, craftsmanship, and a joyful approach to quiet luxury. As a family-owned maison, it celebrates the French art of living through refined yet effortless creations that combine quality, femininity, and modernity. Customers love the brand’s timeless style, versatility, and optimistic, contemporary spirit.
Q. Who are the people behind the brand and how have they shaped it?
Longchamp was founded in Paris in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain, who began by creating and exporting leather‑covered pipes before gradually expanding into small leather goods. Over the years, under the direction of Jean’s son Philippe, the maison continued to grow, broadening its product categories and international presence, a journey that culminated in 1993 with the launch of Le Pliage, the popular foldable bag that would become one of Longchamp’s most iconic creations.
In 1988 Longchamp entered the world of retail with its first flagship store in St Honore, the heart of Paris. The location was selected by Michele Cassegrain (Philippe’s wife) who led the expansion of distribution, including the opening of 300 own-brand boutiques.
More recently, the maison was passed into the hands of the third generation of Cassegrain: Phillipe’s eldest son Jean is the CEO, his daughter Sophie Delafontaine is the creative director, and his youngest son Olivier leads the brand’s development of American boutiques.
Under the leadership of Ms Delafontaine, Longchamp has expanded into ready to wear (2006), shoes (2012), and glasses (2017).
Q. Why did Longchamp choose to develop eyewear?
Longchamp entered the eyewear category as part of its evolution into a full luxury lifestyle brand, choosing Marchon as its partner to develop, produce, and distribute the collections. Eyewear allows the maison to express its contemporary Parisian style and functional elegance through a category that has become a key segment within fashion accessories.
Q. How do the key features translate into a frame?
The emblems of the maison are translated into eyewear through highly recognisable symbols, making every frame unmistakably Longchamp. The collection draws direct inspiration from the brand’s most iconic leather goods, with Le Pliage and Roseau standing out as its most distinctive signatures.
Q. Can you describe a typical Longchamp eyewear customer: what makes them unique?
The Longchamp woman is confident and contemporary. She values quality, authenticity, and understated elegance, choosing versatile accessories that fit a dynamic fashionable lifestyle.
Q. Tell me about the design awards won by Longchamp in recent years.
Longchamp eyewear has won several international design awards that highlight the brand’s strength in sustainability and design. Style LO758S received the CSE Award – Certified Sustainable Eyewear at MIDO 2024, recognising its commitment to responsible materials. In the same year, the brand was awarded Best Sunglasses Style of 2024 at Vision Expo East, as well as the Accessories Council Design Excellence Award for Best Sunglasses 2024, celebrating the style’s distinctive aesthetics, craftsmanship, and contemporary appeal.
Q. Who are the designers of Longchamp eyewear and how does the design process work?
The creation of the eyewear collections is shaped by an exclusive global partnership with Marchon. The frames are designed by Marchon’s eyewear design team in Italy, whose technical expertise and deep understanding of materials and construction translate the creative vision into refined, wearable styles. This work starts with the inspirational direction defined by Longchamp’s creative team at its Paris headquarters, which remains closely involved throughout the development to ensure full alignment with the brand’s DNA.
Q. Where do they seek inspiration for Longchamp designs?
Inspiration takes shape through the maison’s heritage and visual universe, translated into creative inputs defined by the Longchamp team. These include emblems, brand stories, iconic codes, and seasonal elements such as colours, graphics, and patterns, which are then interpreted and developed into eyewear by Marchon’s designers, creating frames with a clear and contemporary Longchamp identity.
Q. Is there an iconic Longchamp family?
Within the Longchamp eyewear collection, the most iconic families are Le Pliage and Roseau, both inspired by the maison’s signature handbag lines. The distinctive elements of each Longchamp family are recalled and reinterpreted in eyewear, translating their emblematic details into frames that remain faithful to the original design codes.
Q. Is there anything unique or special about how Longchamp eyewear is made or the materials used?
In an effort to reduce its impact on the environment, since 2019, Longchamp has slowly replaced all virgin synthetic fibres in its collections with recycled fibres.
The same focus on sustainability is reflected in Longchamp eyewear as well. The collections feature eco‑conscious materials such as plant‑based resins, Acetate Renew frames, and Tritan Renew lenses, seamlessly combining sustainability, performance, and refined design.
Q. What has Longchamp got planned for the future in terms of eyewear design?
Looking ahead, Longchamp will continue to strengthen its iconic eyewear designs while introducing fresh shapes and on‑trend colourways, further nurturing its commitment to sustainability and remaining true to the maison’s heritage. Future collections will keep reflecting the lifestyle of the Longchamp woman – always on the move, dynamic, and curious – with eyewear designed to be versatile for everyday wear while elevating the look with a refined and premium touch.
Contact: Marchon (AUS) 1800 251 025 or (NZ) 0800 141 444.
