11 July 2023
Flax fibre is used in many sectors: it can be spun into yarns for textiles and also incorporated into composite materials for accessories, such as eyewear by Linotte. Durable, stylish and bio-based, these are frames with flax appeal.
Flax fibre has many benefits: it is light and highly durable, stylish and performs well when it comes to product longevity. To benefit from all of flax’s plus points, combined with other properties, manufacturers use flax composites: an assembly of flax fibre and other matrices, such as polyester resin or epoxy resin, some of which can be bio-based. For example, some types of flax composite are used in the automotive industry or in the building and construction sector, since these materials are very robust and offer excellent acoustic and thermal insulation.
copyright Linotte
To design glasses that meet its standards, the spectacle brand Linotte decided to use a flax composite made of flax fibre and biodegradable acetate, a natural fibre extracted from cotton. The manufacturer created a pair of glasses that are not only high-quality, but also made from bio-based materials that also have the advantage of being renewable (depending on specific conditions). This allows Linotte to offer frames that are more aligned with the growing demand for sustainability and responsibility produced consumer goods.
After six years of research, the Linotte team found a flax composite that is ideal for its glasses, made from European flax (insérer lien vers la page Tout savoir sur le lin européen). This material lends itself to different weaving effects. For example, flax can be made to have a non-woven look: “Obtained by quilting, the fibres are entwined together and create the appearance of straw twigs. The uneven result strengthens the natural appeal of the glasses,” says Robin Féron, one of the founders of Linotte. Another option is a canvas effect, which is reminiscent of hessian. Finally, for those looking for a smoother and more even effect, the Voile style is ideal. Natural, midnight blue, red and mauve… several colours are available in elegant and discreet shades. Today, Linotte has 14 different models, one for every taste and wish. The Passe-Partout line offers simple, timeless shapes, whereas the Singulières line allows you to choose a more original style of frame. The Linotte team has not forgotten those who love beautiful glasses and has developed the Créateurs line which features original and stylish forms. All named after birds, from the Chouette (Owl) and Cormoran (Cormorant) to the Faucon (Falcon) and Merle (Blackbird), these glasses have an original and modern look.
copyright Linotte
The idea of using flax belongs to Robin Féron, one of the founders of the brand, who had imagined a natural, resistant and flexible eyewear. He asked himself: "Why not flax?”
All stages of design and production are carried out in the workshop in the Vosges region [of France], where the idea for Linotte was born.
The idea may seem ridiculous, but this is a bet that we decided to make. A gamble that had every chance of succeeding, because linen has all the properties required. The Linotte brand explains that it chose European flax™, which is also promoted by the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp, by the need to use a local, high-quality product: Three-quarters of global flax production is concentrated in Europe, along a coastal strip of land stretching from Caen to Amsterdam. The region’s unique climate, which promotes flax growth, has turned it into the cradle of recognised European expertise, and of a production of unparalleled quality. There is another argument in favour of flax for this brand, one which promotes eco-friendly values and a more sustainable model: “The cultivation and processing stages advantageously distinguish flax from other natural and synthetic fibres, leading to the creation of a 100% natural and renewable material without the issue of toxicity or harmfulness (criteria depend on the conditions).” Robin Féron continues: “All stages of design and production are carried out in the workshop in the Vosges region [of France], where the idea for Linotte was born. Linotte complements a French agricultural sector that has always demonstrated excellence and defended the French social model which it embodies.”
Linotte frames can be found at partner opticians throughout France. Success that will undoubtedly grow along with our desire to be more conscious consumers.
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