What Eyewear Insiders Know That You Don't
It's curious how we approach the one thing that never leaves our face. Your glasses become intertwined with how people recognize you, remember you, and judge you.
By YUICHI TOYAMA
U-1
Plated in pure 24-karat gold, the U-1 is the culmination of thirty years of craft and evolution — marking five years of the YUICHI TOYAMA label. 3 pieces, from a limited series of just 200 worldwide, available exclusively at Glassworks.
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Inspiration
When Toyama founded the label that bears his name, he created a collection called Double Dutch — a design language that has since become his signature. The inspiration came from a jump rope game where two ropes move simultaneously, meeting at perfect moments of synchronization.
The beauty found in those precise instants — order within free motion — led him to design a frame where two independent lines form a harmonious whole, with an exact connection between front and temples.
To mark the label's fifth anniversary, Toyama returned to that same idea and created the U-1: a lightweight titanium frame plated in 24-karat gold at a thickness thirty times the industry standard.
Every detail was redesigned — the front, the rims, the nose pads, the temples — to distill the precise essence of Toyama's aesthetic and craft.
Design
The rims of this frame are shaped in a convex line that deepens the Double Dutch structure and introduces a soft flow into it. The choice reinforces the frame while highlighting the tension between geometric precision and organic sensitivity.
The nose pads were redesigned to ensure a secure grip and all-day comfort. A subtle engraving across their surface refines the overall feel and strengthens the balance.
The temples remain clean-lined and free of unnecessary decoration. The exposed texture of titanium and gold emphasizes a design that respects the essence of the material and lets it speak for itself.
Size: 44/22/145
The Case
The U-1 doesn't just look different — it arrives differently. Each pair is housed in a refined wooden box with a white lacquer finish, accompanied by a premium leather cleaning cloth and a dedicated tray for everyday care. These aren't extras — they're an integral part of an experience designed for people who notice the difference in even the smallest details. A choice that honors itself, from frame to packaging.
Collaboration
For the launch, Toyama partnered with internationally acclaimed ceramic artist Takuro Kuwata — known for her extraordinary gold glazes and intuitive approach to material. The connection wasn't a marketing move, but a creative dialogue between two makers who share the same aspiration: to turn precise technique into art with depth, emotion, and effortless beauty.
The resulting campaign reflects that meeting point — between eyewear born from thinking about line, movement, and material, and ceramics created with a kindred sensibility.
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