By Suzanne Sendel

It’s not every day you sit down with an iconic eyewear designer who embodies true independence.

I was invited to conduct our interview at the head office of Lanctôt Optical in Montreal. There, I was greeted by the owners, whose affinity for business development, style and class set the tone. Upon meeting Frédéric, I was immediately struck by his generous smile and humble nature. Running both his FB Studio and Frédéric Beausoleil collections, he pays homage to vintage and unique design.

A Creative Journey Begins:

Born in 1960 into a family of optometry, Frédéric’s path was deeply influenced by his trailblazing mother. She founded two of the very first French boutiques dedicated to independent eyewear designers, a rarity at the time, particularly for a woman in optometry. By championing visionaries such as Alain Mikli, Jean-François Rey, and Lafont, she cultivated an elite clientele of discerning customers. Beyond her profession, she was also an accomplished violinist and sculptor, instilling in her son a deep appreciation for culture, artistry, and refinement.

Crafted by Hand: Sculpture to Opticianry

Growing up in such an environment, Frederic first imagined a career in sculpture and aspired to attend art school, but his mother urged him to pursue a “real” degree. He ultimately followed her advice and enrolled in Paris’s leading opticianry school. In his final year, he designed his first frame, a gift for his American girlfriend.

To bring his designs to life, he sought out a small Parisian workshop specializing in buffalo horn and tortoiseshell frames. The atelier, just 24 square meters in size, was lined with 40 years of prototypes and became his classroom. There, he apprenticed, learning to craft frames entirely by hand, inspired by 18th-century methods.

Forging a Brand with Elegance

With early success and a clear vision, he trademarked the name Frederic Beausoleil and established his own brand. His career became a seamless blend of heritage, craft, and creativity: the legacy of his mother’s pioneering spirit united with his own passion for design. “She became my muse,” he reflects. Though she had hoped he would succeed her in business, she ultimately supported his independent path, offering expertise that helped him grow into one of the world’s finest optical designers.

When asked about his inspiration for men’s frames, Frédéric is clear: always design with elegance. He focused on sustainability, craftsmanship, and creating refined products made with care. Eyewear, he believes, should complement the natural harmony of the face, never impose or overpower. In men’s eyewear design, he notes, cultural codes play a role: the cat-eye, for example, long rejected in Europe and America, found acceptance in Asia. His goal has always been to incorporate pure lines, balanced proportions, refined thicknesses, ecological materials, and subtle vintage references, all expressed through seamless design. Each individual is unique, and by respecting individuality, he consistently returns to simplicity as his guiding principle.

Material Innovations Come to Life

To fully realize his vision, he built his own factory 35 years ago, pioneering exclusive acetate production in-house. He became the first eyewear maker in the world to produce acetates independently. His designs also incorporate titanium, surgical stainless steel, recycled steel, and even repurposed materials such as dishes. By blending these elements, he created high-fashion frames that answered the growing demand for the unique and extraordinary.

He designed for Cartier for five years and joined Louis Vuitton for another five. His styles remain undeniably authentic and original, much like his spirit. When asked which designers most inspired him, Frederic reverts to his early influences, his mother, Lafont, J.F Rey, Oliver Peoples, and Alain Mikli. As for lenses, he has recently embraced Transitions, now offered in vibrant colours, including ruby red, green, and blue.

A Family Grounded in Creativity and Unity

Beyond his career, Frédéric is a devoted family man. His wife was the artistic director of Marie Claire in Paris for 25 years before launching her own design and marketing agency. Together, they raised two sons in an entrepreneurial household. Early on, they agreed never to travel at the same time, recognizing the importance of family and mutual support.

For Frédéric, family values are as significant as professional success. The harmony of love and business has sustained the couple for 40 years, their respect and affection undeniable. Passing on to their children the values needed to succeed in life has been his greatest achievement, the foundation of a most wondrous life.

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