This Spanish Eyewear Company is Now in South Africa — And Here’s Where to Buy Them

Etnia is one of the most renowned, forward-thinking, and straight-up stylish eyewear brands around. Founded in 2001, the Barcelona-based company is all about blending art and eyewear together, offering colourful, stylish, and unique frames that merge class with creativity. You’ll be as comfortable wearing Etnia in a business meeting as you are out on the town — that’s the feat they’ve been able to achieve.

Of course, being based in Barcelona, the city itself is an artist-dreamscape, and this plays into the design and look of the frames and collections Etnia has on offer.

While some brands put quality by the wayside in place of trying to be ‘cool’, Etnia is able to keep the uniqueness of its frames while ensuring quality is a top priority. This is achieved thanks to the stunning materials used, such as pure mineral glass lenses from Barberini with HD Colors technology, as well as natural acetate from Mazzucchelli.

Metal materials are also integrated into the designs, giving a modern, crafted edge to many of the frames, such as the Seligman GRHV, a personal favourite of ours.

A closer-look at the Etnia Seligman shows the level of craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail that is present. The full rim frame features an opaque green pattern combined with black laminate to have an almost nature-inspired look. But the Seligman also features metal embellishments on the arms around the temple area, adding a mechanical, industrial look to the frames. The finer texturing on the metal is almost like that of a grip on a Torx screwdriver, and provides a great tactile feel when holding or adjusting the glasses.

Add in the tortoise shell arm design, edged off with a brilliant embossed gold Etnia logo, and the Seligman just feels like a real piece of art more than a simple pair of glasses.

What’s even more exciting is that the Etnia collections are available from Spectacle World, one of South Africa’s leading optometry and fashion eyewear specialists, who we can vouch for after experiencing the team’s incredible style consultation, which is open to everyone.

Adele Camarena, optometrist and business associate at Spectacle World in Cape Town, brings over three decades of experience to the nuanced craft of eyewear styling, offering insights into how men can elevate their personal style through the perfect pair of frames.​

“Our aim is to help clients look and feel the best version of themselves,” says Camarena. “Eyewear is more than a visual aid; it’s a statement of personal style and identity. With the right guidance, men can navigate the world of eyewear to find frames that not only enhance their vision but also boost their confidence and self-expression.”

For more information or to schedule a personalised styling consultation, visit Spectacle World’s official website.