Paloceras: Where Digital Imagination Meets Sculptural Craft

There is a new generation of eyewear designers rewriting what a frame can be — and Paloceras is leading the conversation. Born from the meeting of two award-winning minds, one rooted in physical craft and the other in digital design, Paloceras has emerged in just a few years as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary luxury eyewear. Each pair is a sculptural object: bold, organic, unmistakably authored.

Mondello1962 has chosen Paloceras for clients who view eyewear as personal architecture, for those who want a frame that stands apart from any algorithmic mainstream, and who recognise the value of a design built piece by piece, both on screen and by hand.

The Paloceras Story: a European Brand Born from a Studio Encounter

Paloceras was founded in 2022 by Mika Matikainen, a Finnish designer, and Alexis Perron-Corriveau, a Canadian designer, after the two met while studying at the renowned ECAL university of art and design in Lausanne, Switzerland. Within a single year their shared vision had taken the form of a fully fledged eyewear house.

Today the brand operates as a pan-European project, with headquarters in Helsinki, a design studio in Lisbon and a hand-finishing atelier in London, complemented by partner spaces in La Coruña and New York. The name itself is a play on the Latin Rhopalocera — butterfly — a quiet manifesto for transformation, lightness and metamorphosis.

A Digital-First Design Philosophy

What truly sets Paloceras apart is its method. Each silhouette begins life in a digital environment, sketched and refined through generative design tools before existing as a physical object. Frames are virtually "worn" by millions of people on platforms such as Snap, Instagram and Roblox long before the first acetate sheet is touched — the brand famously gathered over five million virtual try-ons ahead of its official launch.

Only after this digital validation does the frame move into the craft phase: sanding, polishing and hand-finishing every curve and bevel to bring the sculpture to life. The result is eyewear that feels both futuristic and timeless, both designed and crafted.

Italian Mazzucchelli Acetate and DualLayer™ Technology

At the heart of every Paloceras frame lies Mazzucchelli 1849 acetate — the same legendary Italian cellulose acetate that has set the standard for luxury eyewear for over 170 years. Eco-friendly, plant-derived and prized for its depth of colour and warm tactile feel, Mazzucchelli acetate gives each Paloceras piece an unmistakable quality of light and texture.

Many models employ the proprietary DualLayer™ technology, in which two acetate layers are fused into a single structure, creating chromatic contrasts, transparencies and visual depth that flat acetate simply cannot achieve. It is in these subtle interplays — between layers, between digital geometry and human hand — that the Paloceras signature reveals itself.

The Collections: Pebble, Vapor Dust and Beyond

The Paloceras catalogue is intentionally limited and editorial in spirit:

• Pebble: The debut collection that introduced the brand to the world. Soft, organic silhouettes inspired by stones shaped by water and time, available in oval, round and squared variants. Iconic colourways include Havana Gold, Pistachio Green, Galaxy Glaze, Double Tortoise, Crystal Pink and Dulce Gloss.
• Vapor Dust: A more architectural, sculptural line, with bold contours and atmospheric tones that emphasise the brand's digital DNA.
• Bespoke pieces: Through its London atelier and the Ocular Rebellion programme, Paloceras occasionally produces fully bespoke, one-of-a-kind frames for collectors seeking the ultimate level of personalisation.

Each piece is released in limited quantities and numbered as a true wearable artefact — meaning that owning a Paloceras frame is, by definition, owning something few others will ever wear.

Why Buy Paloceras at Mondello1962

Bringing Paloceras into our boutique is a natural extension of the Mondello1962 philosophy: a curated selection of the world's most exclusive eyewear, presented with the care of a tailored experience. Our team, present at the most important industry trade shows in Milan, Paris and New York, discovers and selects brands like Paloceras precisely because they refuse the predictable.

Every Paloceras frame purchased at Mondello1962 is 100% authentic, comes with its official guarantee and is available for prescription customisation through our in-house optical laboratory, where we mount lenses tailored to your individual vision needs while preserving the integrity of the original design. Our opticians are available for a personalised fitting consultation, helping you find the model that best expresses your personality and complements your features.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Where is Paloceras eyewear designed and made? Paloceras is a European brand with headquarters in Helsinki, a design studio in Lisbon and a hand-finishing atelier in London. Frames are crafted using Italian Mazzucchelli 1849 acetate, with hand finishing applied to every piece.

What does the name "Paloceras" mean? The name is derived from the Latin Rhopalocera, meaning butterfly. It reflects the brand's identity built around metamorphosis, lightness and the meeting of organic and digital worlds.

What is Mazzucchelli acetate, and why does it matter? Mazzucchelli 1849 is the historic Italian manufacturer of cellulose acetate, the gold standard for luxury eyewear. Plant-derived, eco-friendly and renowned for its depth of colour and tactile quality, it ensures every Paloceras frame has the warmth and richness that only premium Italian acetate can offer.

What is DualLayer™ technology? DualLayer™ is Paloceras' proprietary technique that fuses two layers of acetate into a single frame structure, creating chromatic depth, layered transparencies and dimensional finishes that cannot be achieved with conventional single-sheet acetate.

Are Paloceras frames limited editions? Yes. Paloceras releases its collections in limited quantities, with many models produced in restricted numbered runs. This makes each pair a genuinely exclusive piece, ideal for collectors of design-driven eyewear.

Can I fit prescription lenses on Paloceras frames? Absolutely. Paloceras frames are designed to accommodate prescription lenses, and our in-house laboratory at Mondello1962 will mount custom lenses according to your prescription while preserving the design intent of the original frame.

Who is Paloceras eyewear for? Paloceras is the natural choice for those who view eyewear as a form of self-expression and seek a frame that stands apart from mainstream luxury labels. It appeals to design lovers, art and fashion enthusiasts, and anyone who values the meeting of digital innovation and traditional craftsmanship.

Are Paloceras sunglasses unisex? The vast majority of Paloceras models are unisex, conceived as design objects beyond gender categories. Specific size and bridge variations may suit different face shapes — our opticians can help you choose the most flattering option.

Are Paloceras frames covered by warranty? Yes. Every Paloceras frame purchased at Mondello1962 is 100% authentic and comes with the official manufacturer's warranty and certificate of authenticity.

How do I choose the right Paloceras model for my face? Each silhouette has its own personality: the Pebble line is softer and more organic, while Vapor Dust is more architectural and bold. Our team of opticians is available for a personalised consultation, in store, on the phone or via online chat, to guide you to the model that best frames your features and style.