Accessories are a crucial part of a person’s personality. It gives a sense of worth to a person psychologically. It is believed that we as humans change our body language according to our true appearance. Speaking of accessories, let’s take the eyewear industry for example. From normal specs to luxury or vintage eyewear, the industry has unfolded a newer & clearer view to the world. The type of eyewear one chooses speaks volumes about his/her personality. In the luxury fashion space, there are a lot of market players who dominate the industry, but the one who is effortless in this space is Simon Jabson, Owner at Linda Farrow.

Vision Reimagined

Linda Farrow was founded in 1970 by Linda Farrow, a visionary designer who had previously created eyewear for prestigious fashion houses including Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Gucci. At a time when eyewear was seen purely as a functional accessory, she broke convention with avant-garde designs that introduced fashion-forward thinking to the industry. Her work redefined the role of eyewear in personal style, setting the foundation for what would become a globally recognised luxury brand.

Following a brief hiatus, the brand was re-launched in 2003 by her son, Simon Jablon, who has since led its transformation into a modern powerhouse in high-end eyewear. Under his leadership, Linda Farrow has expanded its global footprint with five stand-alone stores and a network of over 1,000 wholesale partners worldwide, cementing its place at the forefront of the luxury eyewear market.

Linda Farrow produces luxury eyewear. Their products are crafted from high-quality materials like Japanese titanium and Italian acetate and 22-carat gold and are made by hand in Japan.

Scaling with Purpose

The first five years of the business were marked by rapid growth, fueled by the strength of the product and consistently positive market reception. During this period, the brand quickly earned recognition across both the eyewear and fashion industries.

Following this initial momentum, growth transitioned into a more measured and strategic phase, says Simon. The company gradually evolved from a boutique operation into a global luxury brand by developing a strong international sales force and investing in the infrastructure required to support its expansion into over 90 countries worldwide.

Learning Curve

When the business was re-launched by Simon in 2003, the initial phase was remarkably smooth. Market demand was high, and Linda Farrow stood out as the only eyewear brand offering truly distinctive, design-led products. At the time, there was minimal competition; most luxury fashion houses were focused on mass-market offerings that lacked both quality and originality, which allowed the brand to gain traction quickly.

However, the most significant challenge for Simon was that the re-launch was led by a 23-year-old with little to no prior experience in business, eyewear, or the fashion industry. The learning curve for him was steep, and the early years involved a great deal of on-the-job education and trial-and-error. Despite this, each misstep became a valuable lesson, reinforcing the belief that mistakes are an essential part of building long-term success.

Visionary Innovation

Simon’s strong leadership is the foundation of the nurtured culture of innovation. It goes beyond articulating a clear vision; it involves aligning teams around that vision, ensuring individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered. When people see themselves as co-creators of a shared purpose, meaningful innovation takes root and flourishes.

Demonstrating this commitment to both innovation and customer experience, Linda Farrow has recently introduced an advanced AI-driven feature: Virtual Try-On. This technology enables customers to preview how selected best-selling frames will look on their face using their device’s camera. As the brand continues to digitize its product catalogue, more styles will be added to the Virtual Try-On offering. To use the feature, customers simply select a product marked with the Try-On icon, click “Try Me On!” on the product page, accept the terms, and wait briefly for the eyewear to appear in real time. This seamless digital experience underscores the brand’s continued investment in technology that enhances both accessibility and personalization.

Boundless Quality

The company’s continued innovation and competitiveness in the eyewear industry stem from its steadfast commitment to producing high-quality products. By merging exceptional craftsmanship with bold, forward-thinking design and integrating cutting-edge technologies, Linda Farrow consistently pushes industry boundaries and sustains its market edge. This success is underpinned by a deep-rooted passion for excellence in product creation and an unwavering dedication to delivering customer service that consistently exceeds expectations.

Strategized Partnered Success

Simon recently launched an exciting and exclusive eyewear licensing partnership with Jacquemus, which has been met with tremendous success. By collaborating closely with their team, the company ensured a standout debut through the development of striking point-of-sale materials, compelling visual content, and strategically seeding the collection to A-list VIPs.