Real Luxury is not perceived but felt
Style, Craftmanship and Sustainability
Everything started in 2007, during a trip to Tibet, when I felt in love with a piece of yak horn, and from there the idea to create high quality eyewear frames using this fantastic quality material. Smith & Norbu was born. I wanted to create frames that are not only beautiful, comfortable to wear but also manufactured in respect of the environment. The association of high quality natural raw materials from different origins and the fusion of tradition and innovation to create stylish re-interpretations of classic icons are at the heart of the brand’s philosophy; style, quality craftsmanship and commitment to sustainability.
Benoit Ams, Designer
The World of Smith &Norbu &Norbu
Smith & Norbu designs and creates unique and innovative luxury optical frames for men who do not fear being themselves. Hedonists and elegant, they rely on themselves, on their own taste and creativity, they are looking for the true comfort of the most exclusive noble materials, choosing beauty over the ostentation of designer names, or brands. The association of high quality natural raw materials from different origins and the fusion of tradition and innovation to create stylish re-interpretations of classic products are at the heart of the brand’s philosophy; style, quality and craftsmanship.
Yaks
Yaks are cattle-like animals about the size of small oxen. Yaks are highly valued by Himalayan peoples. The generic Tibetan name of the animals means "wealth" or “jewels� that grant all your wishes. Yaks are domesticated animals on the Tibetan plateau and are widely used in agriculture. They do not fall into the category of protected or endangered species.
The finest materials
The love and careful selection of the highest quality of raw materials are essential qualities of fine spectacles makers. For us, people contribute ideas, skills and hard work while Mother Nature provides the materials. All our products are manufactured in the highest respect of the environment, using only natural eco-friendly materials.
Yak Horn Horn
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Natural horn is one of the most exclusive materials available for eyeglasses. Horn is not only a highly resistant material; it is also a beautiful and vibrant natural product with characteristic color nuances that differentiate genuine horn from any other man made materials. At Smith & Norbu, we predominantly select the horns of the yak from the Tibetan plateau for their incredible resistance and lightness. These features make each and every single piece of product as unique as you are. Horn ages with style, acquiring a signature patina that adds depth and character.
Yak Leather
Our leather cases are manufactured using yak leather for their incredible resistance and lightness. Our hides are then specially tanned with natural plant extracts and organically dyed with natural pigments to create soft, smooth, comfortable, yet strong and light products that comply with the most stringent ECO standards. All our leathers are natural, promising you sensuality through touch. Yak Leather ages with style, acquiring a signature patina that adds depth and character.
Tradition & innovation
Craftsmen’s know-how is the magic by which exceptional raw materials take shape in the most exclusive products. Smith & Norbu’s range of optical frames are crafted by skilled artisans using traditional techniques carefully preserved and handed on from one generation to the next. Manufacturing a piece of spectacles involves as much as fifty separate operations. Through meticulous attention to detail and superb craftsmanship, Smith & Norbu eyewear is of the highest quality and durability and can be cherished for a lifetime. Fit for the purpose is another of our major beliefs. For that reason, our spectacles are carefully engineered to meet today’s traveler’s needs and every single manufacturing details are carefully thought about. Our products are light comfortable and resistant.
Design and creativity
Creativity is a major priority at Smith & Norbu as we strive to create stylish re-interpretations of classic icons that meet the changing needs of modern lifestyles. Smith & Norbu design brings together unique timeless elegance, quality and traditional craftsmanship. The current collections represent the embodiment of this craftsmanship, heritage and expertise. Made to the very highest quality, Smith & Norbu products are unique, beautifully designed and superbly executed. We have received the following recognition: -
Model 30, Good Design Award (Chicago, USA) - 2010
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Model 34, Eyewear of the Year- EOY (Tokyo, Japan)- Award Winner in Luxury and High Class category -2011
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Model 30, Good Design Award (Japan) 2011 - Nominated
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Model 30, German Design Award 2012 - Nominated
The production process
Production Process: Craftsmen’s know-how is the magic by which exceptional raw materials take shape in the most exclusive products. Our range of optical frames is crafted by skilled artisans using traditional techniques carefully preserved and handed on from one generation to the next. “The challenge for us is to revive traditional horn craftsmanship that dates back several thousand years and to make it relevant for today, as we do not live in the past” explains the designer. “For that reason, we have invested in state of the art modern tooling as it is relevant to guarantee a high quality product. Our customers are very demanding and my vision has always been to create very high quality products.” Our production embraces the entire horn frames making process and includes modern tooling and solid management techniques including quality management from the sourcing of the raw material to the control of the finished product. We have integrated the different steps of the production as it is fundamental to guarantee the highest possible level of quality outlines Benoit Ams, a fan of fine craftmanship who considers a pair of fine horn frames to be a piece of art.
"We sell most of our frames in Europe where customers value quality," the designer says. Manufacturing a piece of spectacles involves as many as 50 separate operations. Through meticulous attention to detail and superb craftsmanship, our optical frames are of the highest quality and durability and can be cherished for a lifetime. Manufacturing a piece of spectacles involves as many as 50 separate operations. The horn is first cut, pressed and flattened to make a rectangular plate. The raw material is then cut and the frame is given its final shape.
The Yak Leather Case
Every single Smith & Norbu frame is sold together with the signature yak leather case. Our cases are marked with the endless knot, a closed, graphic ornament composed of right-angled, intertwined lines, which has inspired the visual identity of Smith & Norbu. It is said that since all phenomena are interrelated, the placing of the endless knot on a gift or greeting card is understood to establish an auspicious connection between the giver and the recipient.
The yellow box
Every single Smith & Norbu item is individually packed in our seductive eye-catching signature yellow gift box. It reflects our passion for detail: the idiosyncratic shape of the letters in its logo, the choice of colors and the quality of the paper used. All our signature gift boxes are made of 100% wood free recycle cotton handmade papers. Smith & Norbu’s yellow gift box delivers something beyond its content and perfects the moment with the most exclusive gift.
Colors Our products are available in a range of seven different colors:
Our products are available in a range of seven different colors: • • • • • • •
C01 Original Dark Color Yak C02 Black Yak C03 Original Light Color Yak C04 Light Brown Color Buffalo C05 Medium Brown Buffalo C08 Black & White Buffalo C10 African Buffalo
C01
C05
C02
C08
C03
C10
C04
The signature
Every product is decorated with our signature rivet, inspired by the endless knot. As with all Smith & Norbu products, our signature rivets are made to the very highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
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The Collection
Simple elegance and comfort are the magic words of the current Smith & Norbu collection. Lines are pure and classical while preserving a contemporary style.
Model 26
45
C01
C04
C05
C09
22 - 145
C10
Model 28
48
C01
C03
C04
C05
18 - 14
C08
Model 36
44
C01
C03
C05
C08
23 - 14
C10
Model 93
50
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 14
C08
Model 112
48
C01
C03
C04
C05
21- 140
C08
Model 140
46
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 140
C08
Model 141
48
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 145
C08
Model 30
50
C01
C03
C04
C08
20 - 145
C10
Model 34
50
C01
C03
C04
C08
23 - 147
C10
Model 52
51
C01
C03
C04
C05
21 - 138
C08
Model 111
51
C01
C03
C04
C05
19 - 145
C10
Model 117
48
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 145
C08
Model 121
47
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 150
C08
Model 130
54
C01
C03
C04
C05
19 - 145
C08
Model 42
56
C01
C04
C05
C08
18 - 145
C09
Model 46
55
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 140
C08
Model 93
55
C03
C04
C05
C08
20 - 140
C10
Model 95
51
C01
C03
C04
C05
22 - 145
C08
Model 98
50
C01
C03
C04
C05
23 - 14
C08
Model odel 102
54
C01
C03
C04
C05
22 - 145
C10
Model 31
50
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 145
C08
Model 32
52
C02
C03
C04
C05
17 - 140
C08
Model 33
51
C01
C03
C04
C05
18 - 140
C08
Model 38
53
C01
C03
C04
C05
17 - 140
C08
Model 53
48
C01
C03
C04
C05
24 - 150
C08
Model 27
49
C01
C02
C03
C04
19 - 146
C08
Model 29
47
C01
C03
C04
C05
21 - 147
C08
Model 97
47
C01
C03
C04
C05
21 - 147
C08
Model 115
44
C01
C03
C04
C05
27 - 145
C08
Model 133
40
C01
C03
C04
C05
23 - 150
C08
Model 40
54
C03
C04
C05
C08
19 - 145
C10
Model 43
55
C01
C03
C04
C05
18 - 145
C08
Model 49
49
C01
C03
C04
C05
19 - 140
C08
Model 92
54
C01
C03
C04
C05
19 - 145
C08
Model 96
53
C01
C03
C04
C05
18 - 140
C08
Model 108
56
C01
C03
C05
C08
16 - 145
C10
Model 21
52
C01
C03
C05
C08
17 - 140
C10
Model 23
48
C01
C02
C03
C05
19 - 138
C08
Model 24
50
C01
C02
C03
C05
19 - 135
C08
Model 25
54
C01
C03
C04
C05
16 - 140
C08
Model 37
50
C01
C03
C04
C05
19 - 145
C08
Model 61
50
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 140
C08
Model 67
50
C01
C03
C04
C05
19 - 135
C08
Model 70
53
C01
C03
C04
C05
17 - 140
C08
Model 80
49
C01
C03
C04
C05
19 - 145
C08
Model 82
47
C01
C03
C04
C05
21 - 147
C08
Model 83
45
C01
C03
C04
C05
22 - 145
C08
Model 101
51
C01
C02
C03
C04
18 - 135
C08
Model 22
47
C01
C02
C03
C04
17 - 145
C05
Model 50
52
C01
C03
C04
C05
21 - 145
C08
Model 91
55
C01
C03
C04
C05
20 - 140
C08
Model 99
51
C01
C03
C04
C05
17 - 140
C08
Model 105
42
C01
C03
C05
C08
24 - 145
C10
Model 106
52
C01
C03
C04
C05
21 - 145
C08
Model 113
50
C01
C03
C04
C05
25 - 145
C08
Model 132
49
C01
C03
C04
C05
19 - 145
C08
Caring aring for your spectacles As with all Smith & Norbu products, our horn products are made to the very highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. We recommend you to observe the following instructions so that you can enjoy your product fora years. • Oil will provide level of water resistance that will help to prevent deterioration of the horn. • In a dry environment, regularly apply oil sparingly and massage into the horn in order to prevent it from drying out. • Allow wet or damp frames to air-dry naturally away from any source of heat. Do not use a hair-dryer. • Horn is sensitive to the effects of light and water. To keep your horn product in perfect condition, it should be protected from prolonged exposure to strong light and dried with a soft cloth if it gets wet. • To prevent deterioration, protect horn from excessive humidity. • Do not use waxes, or silicone formulas that impair the ability of the horn to breathe. • Never use caustic household chemicals to clean horn. • Never use preparations that contain alcohol. • Never use ultrasound equipment to clean the lenses.
Distribution Smith & Norbu spectacles are available in the most exclusive optical shops in more than 20 countries around the world, in Europe, in the United States and in Asia.
Smith &
Our other vocation At Smith & Norbu, we are also designers of a range of exclusive leather goods and travel accessories.
Corporate responsibilitites At Smith & Norbu, we have always set high standards for the way we conduct business (in areas from corporate and social responsibility to sound business ethics, including compliance with all applicable laws and regulations). In turn, we expect the same commitment from our suppliers. This is the why we have established the Smith & Norbu Supplier Conduct Principles. These principles speak to the commitments we make to our clients, our legacy of innovation and relationships built on trust and personal responsibility. They establish the standards required for conducting business with Smith & Norbu. The goal is to work with suppliers to ensure full compliance with these principles, as they in turn apply them to their own suppliers they work with in the delivery of goods and services for Smith & Norbu. We will consider these principles in our selection of suppliers and will actively monitor their compliance.
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