I founded AHLEM in Los Angeles in 2014 to create eyewear with a soul—objects of enduring beauty, uncompromising quality, and absolute integrity. From the beginning, my vision has been to design frames that transcend trend and season, pieces that feel as relevant in twenty years as they do today.

My approach is guided by a radical and poetic philosophy: radical minimalism, poetic craftsmanship, Japanese sobriety, Parisian clarity.

Every frame is entrusted to master artisans in France, guardians of techniques honed over generations. Their work is measured in hundreds of steps, in a patience that cannot be rushed. I believe that objects made with time, skill, and integrity carry a presence that cannot be replicated.

Every AHLEM space is conceived as a sanctuary—both for the object and for the person discovering it. Every detail is intentional. Nothing shouts; everything invites slowing down, observing, and feeling.

I choose materials with reverence, each element carries meaning—metal for precision, concrete for grounding, plaster for softness, glass for transparency, walnut for warmth. Light is treated as a living material, sculpting forms and enveloping the client in invisible softness. Music—avant-garde jazz and instrumental minimalism—creates an atmosphere for exploration; in winter, the discreet scent of frankincense drifts through the air, in summer, orange blossom. Even our flowers, inspired by Ikebana, express a season, an emotion, a breath.

Over the years, AHLEM has grown from a single idea to a global presence—with boutiques in Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and a community of clients who value design that is both modern and timeless. Our frames are worn by individuals who appreciate understatement, craft, and detail; people who understand that true luxury is felt, not proclaimed.

Ahlem Manai-Platt, Founder & Designer