People sometimes wonder why AHLEM‘s small-batch collections take longer to fabricate than mass-produced frames. The answer lies in their process, which relies on the original, irreplaceable technology of human expertise. Their method is built on respect—for the product and the materials, for their clients, and for the craftsmen who make Ahlem’s award-winning eyewear possible.
Every AHLEM frame is made from scratch by a team of skilled artists working in concert. Over a sequence of nearly 200 steps per piece, each specialist contributes their unique talent—polishing, cutting acetate, laser-engraving, bevelling, hand-painting, and more—which has been cultivated and perfected over a lifetime. As individuals, these artisans obsess like soloists over the smallest details of their part. Collectively, they perform the choreography of creation.
At each stage, the integrity of the work is confirmed before advancing, effectively eliminating the possibility of defects. If the smallest imperfection is detected, they retouch the piece by hand.
Satisfying their expectation of perfection takes time—no step could be eliminated, compressed, or collapsed without sacrificing excellence—but the results tell a remarkable story. As their offerings grow, so does their quality. Thanks to the rigor of their production and the consistency of their craftsmanship, consumer returns have dropped to 1%, and they’ve reduced their refusal of goods rate to zero.
Making things properly is painstaking work, but the rewards reverberate. They see them in the radical reduction of production waste, the preservation of valuable heritage techniques, and the creation of heirloom-caliber eyewear they’re proud to share with the world. They feel them in the loyalty and enthusiasm of their clientele, who respond to the care they put into their products. AHLEM frames might take a bit longer to bring to market, but it’s paid back tenfold in their longevity. Good things come to those who wait.