Marco Andreoni of In Barberia Bottega Ottica shared the history of a very unique eyewear store in Italy where frames are still made exclusively by hand
“Our family story started in 1980 with a small optical store near Venice,” explains Marco Andreoni, when we asked him about the creation of the beautiful ‘In Barberia’ stores in Treviso and now the heart of Venice. “For the last 12 years, we have sold independent eyewear collections exclusively – at the same time we started to realize our own pieces by hand in acetate.”
In Barberia’s shop in the heart of the city of Treviso, has been open for 5 years. The owners created their namesake collection – In Barberia – as a completely handmade collection. The very first frame that they made was worn by Elliott Gould in the film Ocean’s 11. “At that point, we decided to show the way in which we work and we opened the window of our lab so people could look in. Since then, everyone can see what we do with their very own eyes.”
Today, the interiors of both stores reflect the craftsmanship at the centre of the very unique style of the artisan business. “Antonio, my business partner and co-founder, works in the window in a setting that is very much about vintage style fitted with original furniture from the past.”
In 2022, Marco and Antonio also opened their shop/atelier in the heart of Venice, with the same design as the Treviso location. “In Venice we sell our collection exclusively, offering both prêt-à-porter and bespoke frames….we believe we have become one of few shop in Europe to do this and the first one in Italy; we don’t use any machines to create the frames and temples. We have also set up a kind of school in the lab of the Treviso studio so that we can teach the art of traditional spectacle-making to our young workers.
At In Barberia, beespoke frames are produced in acetate and buffalo horn, using also old materials from Mazzucchelli and many other acetate companies in France and Japan. The buffalo horn is imported from India and some sheep horn is also being used – sourced from Sardinia Italy.
International connections are also successful. The business is working closely with the well-known Athens optical store, Johnnie Rousso. “We have a special friendship and partnership With Johnnie Rousso, and he is our unique provider of the IN BARBERIA collection and bespoke frames in Athens, Greece.”
Other special projects include the creation of capsule collections for designers and artists. At the end of 2022, In Barberia released a special collab with the street artist ENDLESS from London (@endlessartist) in a limited edition of 25 pieces.
“During 2023 we will open a new shop outside Italy, but at the moment I can’t say any more…” adds Marco as we try to find out more about activities for 2023!
In Barberia is owned by Marco Andreoni and Antonio Battaglia.
In Barberia Bottega Ottica, Via Barberia 22, Treviso, Italy
In Barberia Occhiali Su Misura, San Marco Calle Fuseri 4373, Venice, Italy