FUNK Eyewear Manufactory has created something truly unique with its capsule collection Sashee Schuster UNIQUE: hand-laminated acetate glasses that are as individual as the personalities of their wearers. Each pair of glasses is absolutely unique – a small work of art created with intuition, creativity and a deep connection to special materials.

The blank canvas for personality

For Sashee Schuster, each ‘virgin’ acetate sheet is like an artist's blank canvas. The creative process unfolds in the studio: from a wealth of different materials – from natural finds to found objects with surprising origins – the idea for a pair of glasses emerges. Laminating is like painting a picture, but not for the wall, but directly for the face and personality of the person. It often happens that Sashee already has a specific person in mind for whom a unique piece is to be created.

Every UNIQUE model is a key to inner transformation. As soon as it finds its place on the face, something magical happens: an attitude of strength awakens, a proud gaze testifies to new self-confidence, and suddenly you feel not only seen, but absolutely regal – a feeling that deeply touches and inspires us as designers.

The fascination of found objects

The philosophy behind UNIQUE is collecting and preserving. Sashee Schuster uses everything she finds that is suitable for embedding in acetate sheets. The range is limitless, from natural materials such as grasses, straw, seeds, feathers and flowers to fabrics such as silk, lace and even more unusual finds such as wine crystals from a winemaker or guinea fowl feathers sent by a chicken farm owner.
Even scraps of high-quality, genuine Plauen lace have found their way into a UNIQUE model. This is complemented by the ‘glam factor’ of pigments with a pearlescent effect and glitter. The materials often literally fall at Sashee's feet, or people inspired by the UNIQUE models send her their own finds, which they want to see immortalised in their glasses. This ‘treasure hunt’ makes each pair of glasses an emotional creation.

Historical treasures and personal memories

Sashee likes to combine these inlays with colourful vintage acetate sheets from the extensive stock of the FUNK eyewear manufacturer to create a colourful background. The collection offers space for deeply personal stories: Tobacco leaves have been used for men's frames, and in a particularly touching project, a sad horse girl was made happy by laminating the ashes of her beloved deceased horse between acetate plates and using them to make a very special pair of glasses. A happy bride's bouquet was also preserved for eternity in a pair of glasses in this way.

Handarbeit und Präzision: Der Weg zum Unikat

The entire production process for UNIQUE models is carried out entirely by hand. Every acetate plate behaves differently, and the lamination process is never identical – all the senses play a role here. The challenge lies in achieving a permanent bond without air bubbles, even with very heterogeneous materials, although the latter are often a welcome effect in UNIQUE models. A rigorous stress test begins with the milling of the centre section on the CNC machine and continues in the polishing drums until the final hand polishing. The cutting of the plate is of utmost importance, as the craftsman must carefully consider how the incorporated materials will be placed in the finished glasses and how they will be symmetrically accentuated.

UNIQUE and Colours of Nature: two approaches – one passion

To understand the unique essence of the UNIQUE collection, it is worth taking a look at its special positioning in relation to the ‘Colours of Nature’ range.

While ‘Colours of Nature’ as a small series celebrates the beauty and earthiness of nature in a more recognisable colour scheme, UNIQUE focuses on boundless artistic freedom and absolute, unrepeatable uniqueness. Each pair of UNIQUE glasses is hand-laminated proof that no two pairs of glasses will ever be identical.

The natural materials used by UNIQUE are sustainably collected and sourced, in line with the collection's environmental philosophy. In addition, FUNK promotes a comprehensive circular economy: all acetate scraps produced during manufacturing are reused and pressed into new acetate sheets. These recycled sheets are then used to make new glasses, and their unique textures make them a particularly good match for UNIQUE laminations.