ACE & TATE'S CLEARSIGHTED VISION

Encapsulating a modern, minimalist sense of cool, Mark de Lange’s Amsterdam-based brand has built a varied range of sunglasses and opticals perfected for contemporary living. Infusing a forward-thinking outlook rooted in providing cutting edge styles, made with high quality materials, with an affordable pricing model, Ace & Tate has spent the past decade cultivating their aesthetic sensibility and versatile design ethos.

Sitting down with founder Mark de Lange, END. discuss Ace & Tate's dedication to quality, the benefits of producing their own acetate and the importance of taking responsibility for what you are putting into the world.

Founded in 2013, Ace & Tate is approaching its first ten-year anniversary. How has the world of opticals changed over that time?

Since the inception of Ace & Tate, eyewear has transitioned from being more than a medical necessity into a lifestyle choice — a valid accessory and tool for self-expression. For years, corrective lenses were seen as a necessity, not an accessory. Stylish spectacles came with a hefty price tag and so those who couldn’t afford luxury frames resigned themselves to uniform and uninspiring designs. It’s only recently that smaller, independent brands have arrived on the scene, advocating the novel idea that glasses can be both affordable and fashionable; that you can have different pairs for different occasions.

Of course, the act of purchasing lifestyle products comes with an environmental cost. We’ve spent the last 4 years really investing there, and are products to have achieved B-Corp Status as of last year. Developing sustainable materials, offering eyewear recycling programs, and reducing our carbon emissions is both a focus for us, and a demand from our customers. We aim to bring it all together for them- a wide selection of stylish frames for all faces, a commitment to sustainability, and a brand experience that is fun and enjoyable.

What initially inspired you to start the brand?

I founded Ace & Tate in 2013 after I bought a pair of frames in the US and had to spend another couple of hundred euros on the lenses. After conducting research in the international eyewear market, it struck me that: by cutting the middlemen in the value chain, high-quality frames could be offered at a competitive price. As I looked further into the industry and learned that a few huge companies pretty much controlled the whole thing, I knew there was a chance for an independent brand that could provide fair prices, high quality products, and great service. That’s how Ace & Tate was born!

Ace & Tate opts for a minimalist approach that favours simplicity and timeless design – what appeals to you about the minimalist outlook?

Designing and producing eyewear that lasts is our top priority. Trends come and go, but you’ll always need your glasses, and true staples stand the test of time. All our glasses are designed in Amsterdam with a certain stylishness and  timelessness in mind, even when on the bolder side. 

Then of course, quality materials and manufacturing is central to what we do. We work with some of the best suppliers in the world to make sure each frame is just right. To top it off, we use only the good stuff, from the acetate and metal we make our glasses with, to our top-notch lenses. This way, we can ensure our products are made to last. 

That may come across as a minimalist outlook, but that minimal vibe you feel is more of an outcome than an input. Our focus is on great products and a fun experience. 

What defines good optical design? 

We aim to make a perfect frame for every face. No one should walk out of an Ace & Tate store and feel that there wasn’t something for them. Beyond providing the perfect fit - so the right size, the right shape, the placement on the fit - each frame has to also just look good. It has to make you want to pick it up off the shelf and try it on. In the end, good optical design is about getting that balance right, providing a wide range of options to fit all faces, but being sharp and making sure that each design has its own unique character. 

What are the differences between optical and sunglasses design? 

Opticals are something very personal to the wearer. You wear your glasses everyday, they become part of your identity. So our design approach with opticals is to create frames that are unique yet don’t feel overpowering. Great examples in the collection are Lily, Jack or Bobby. These are modern classics that stand the test of time yet have their own personality. 

Our approach for sunglasses is similar, but here and there we go a little more bold in shapes and silhouettes. In our latest SS22 collection you’ll find true directional sunglasses like the Taylor or Jacques but there’s also refreshed classics Annie or Chris. 

Using your team of in-house designers, everything is meticulously detailed, right down to the acetate used for your frames (which has even inspired your brand’s name). Why is producing your own acetate so important to the brand? How does this benefit your process?

We’re super excited about the acetate that we create in-house. Custom-made acetates - such as Seashell, Carnival and Golden Hour - are designed by us and can only be found in the Ace & Tate collection. Speckled acetate in particular has become a customer favourite, made by experimenting with melding various coloured chips together. 

Another advantage to creating our own acetate, is that we can prioritise creating frames from bio acetate. This type of acetate is made from renewable sources instead of oil-based ones, and much better for our planet. Our new SS22 styles are all made from bio acetate, an achievement I’m particularly proud of. 

What’re your favourite frames? Why have they remained your favourites? 

My all time favourite frame is the Neil, simply because it suits me. It is a very accessible model which I like. Nevertheless, you can still create your own style because the frame is available in so many different colours. 

From our SS22 collection, I’d have to say Chris in Mulberry Tree. I'm drawn to classic styles, they are timeless and go with everything. Mulberry Tree in particular is a colourway that showcases our intention to elevate classics by rethinking a black acetate with a touch of luxury. 

You were certified as a B Corp last year - why was it important to you to achieve this status? 

An important part of operating as a modern brand is taking responsibility for what you are creating and putting into the world. I personally find this very important, and that sentiment is echoed by our employees, as well as our customers. The B-Corp status was an external certification that the efforts our team has made over the last 4 years to reduce our impact on the planet have paid off. We’ve still got a lot of work to go, but what’s great about being a B-Corp is the support network you receive both from B-Lap and other certified brands. It’s energising and exciting to be taking on bigger challenges together with other like minded companies.