We believe the best products are made when there’s an intimate knowledge of the process that makes them. We take an immersive approach to design and production, sourcing the best materials and employing both new technologies and hand-finishing techniques. Most importantly, each step of our 30-step process – from design to delivery – is done in our Brooklyn Army Terminal workshop. Nothing leaves our hands until it’s on its way to you.
MADE WITH A MISSION IN NYC
Our Story
Built out of a love for eyewear and an appreciation for true craftsmanship, Lowercase was established in 2016. We founded the company with a mission: to once again localize the trade of eyewear to the US, while creating a product that is second to none in quality and design. The value in our unique approach can be seen in the designs and felt in the construction.
The design of each frame embodies its own particular story. Inspired by music, location, history and events of the city, you truly are wearing a piece New York city glasses. The details of the frames are purposeful and play to each theme. From bold lines to underlying detail, the designs are unique and allow artistic expression for each individual.
Every pair is made in ourBrooklyn workshop from start to finish, by combining modern technology with traditional methods. When you buy a pair of Lowercase frames you can trust that they have been handled with the utmost care. We use only the best materials crafted by the some of the finest craftspeople New York has to offer- people who take pride in their craft and refuse to produce anything less than the best. Each Brooklyn glasses pair goes through a 30 step process that takes 2 weeks to complete.
We invite you to visit our workshop located in the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Our location itself is an architectural experience that has no equal in NYC. Not only will you get a behind the scenes tour to see first hand how your frames are made, you will also meet the entire team who crafts your frames from concept through to the last screw. Our doors are always open to show you how your frame was made, to show you how we emphasize sustainability and most importantly, so you can meet the people who designed and built every millimeter of your frame.
Check out the video below to see how we believe a pair of glasses should be made.
PHILOSOPHY
MATERIALS
The best products start with the best materials. Lowercase is proud to only source Italian and Japanese Acetate, Carl Zeiss Sun Lenses, and German engineered hinges from OBE.
Acetate is a cotton based plastic that is often produced by hand by skilled craftspeople. It's patterns and colors are infinite, and we spend a lot of time seeking out the best acetates for our highly curated collection. Because it has an organic base, acetate will slowly mold to your head shape over time, increasing with comfort as you wear the glasses. It is also commonly used for eyewear because it is hypo-allergenic, so no need to worry about nasty petroleum based plastics sitting on your face all day!
We promise you, it's a difference you can feel.
Keep an eye out for our limited edition frames, featuring dead stock acetates.
THE TEAM
Gerard Masci, a former investment analyst, grew an affinity for eyewear starting with his first pair at 13. That passion grew into a desire to build a vertically integrated, US-based, eyewear brand from the ground up.
An architect by training, Brian Vallario has always been fascinated by the intersection of craftsmanship and technology and left the world of real estate to work with his hands. He now leads the design of the collection and is focused on the tiniest details of Lowercase’s production process.
Connected through a mutual friend, Gerard and Brian met at the Marlton Hotel in Greenwich Village. 18 months later, in January 2017, Lowercase launched it’s first collection, including the Marlton, named after this key meeting in Lowercase’s history.
Ryan Langer joined Lowercase soon after launch and oversees the more delicate parts of the production proccess. His background as a craftsman and experience in fabrication has taken the quality of the frames to a level we're proud to put up against any other pair of glasses in the market.
WHERE WE WORK
Built in 1919, the Brooklyn Army Terminal housed the largest US military supply base during WWII. Today, it’s been repurposed for manufacturing and industrial use. We proudly work alongside other New York City-based makers, artists, and manufacturers. Its unexpectedly beautiful atrium is a constant source of inspiration for us.
SUSTAINABILITY
When it really comes down to it, the health of our planet and it's inhabitants are the bottom line. We believe deeply in creating products built to last, because the less we make, the less we contribute to the deterioration of the place we call home. While we acknowledge and accept that no plastic product is truly sustainable, we have built Lowercase around a model that is designed to have the smallest possible footprint.
We're a new breed ofAmerican manufacturing - We're small. We produce only what we need. We use new technologies to reduce waste and improve quality. We sell primarily locally. We have some of the most skilled craftspeople in the country making our glasses. Most importantly - we make products designed to last and be lived with.
If you are interested in using some of our acetate scraps, please contact us - we'd love to work with you!
