Morgenthal Frederics
Founded in 1913, Morgenthal Frederics is a New York-based luxury eyewear retailer selling handcrafted buffalo horn, acetate, and titanium frames plus curated designer brands to high-net-worth consumers through 13 US boutiques, independent optical partners, and e-commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1913
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Morgenthal Frederics does
Morgenthal Frederics is a privately held luxury eyewear retailer founded in 1913 and headquartered in New York City. The company designs, manufactures, curates, and sells high-end prescription frames and sunglasses to high-net-worth consumers, fashion-conscious buyers, collectors, and prescription-eyewear customers seeking bespoke fitting and expert opticianry. Its proprietary flagship is the buffalo horn eyewear collection, handcrafted in Germany over hundreds of hours from ethically sourced Asian water buffalo horn, complemented by acetate, titanium, combination-material, and exotic wood frames. Distinctive technical elements include custom-made Redtenbacher spring hinges, ChromoClear mood-and-performance lens technology, and a renewable-energy-powered factory that reuses and recycles all production by-products.
The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct-to-consumer luxury retail through 13 proprietary boutiques across the United States (New York City, Beverly Hills, Aspen, Palm Beach, Bal Harbour, Chicago, Washington DC, Princeton, Great Neck, New Canaan, Columbus Circle) with more than 50 independent optical partners, an e-commerce platform, and virtual consultation services. Expert opticians provide bespoke fittings, styling consultations, comprehensive eye exams (via independent doctors of optometry at select boutiques), and precision lens customization.
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time transactional sales of frames — with no subscription model — supplemented by professional opticianry services. Pricing spans entry-level acetate frames at $475, mid-range titanium frames at $525–$625, and premium buffalo horn frames at $2,095–$3,295, alongside designer collaborations (Sabyasachi, Salvatore Ferragamo, Oscar de la Renta, Matsuda) and curated third-party luxury brands (Cartier $945–$3,745, Jacques Marie Mage, Chrome Hearts, Maybach, MYKITA). The company employs 11–50 people and does not disclose revenue.
Morgenthal Frederics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Morgenthal Frederics
- Legal name
- Morgenthal Frederics
- Website
- https://morgenthalfrederics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1913
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Founded in 1913, Morgenthal Frederics is a New York-based luxury eyewear retailer selling handcrafted buffalo horn, acetate, and titanium frames plus curated designer brands to high-net-worth consumers through 13 US boutiques, independent optical partners, and e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Morgenthal Frederics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Eyewear
- NAICS
- Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Offices of Optometrists (62132)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Luxury Eyewear (Sunglasses & Optical) (CRAKAFAG), Prescription Eyewear Frames (Optical) (CRAAAKAA), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)
Keywords
Where Morgenthal Frederics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Morgenthal Frederics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Luxury Eyewear Sales: One-time sales of high-end prescription frames and sunglasses. Products include proprietary buffalo horn collections, acetate frames, titanium frames, and third-party luxury brands. Price points range from $475 to $3,295+ for horn frames.
- Professional Opticianry Services: Bespoke fittings, eye exams, and continued service and care. Expert opticians provide personalized lens solutions and adjustments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level acetate frames |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range titanium frames |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Premium buffalo horn frames |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Designer collaborations |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Third-party luxury brands |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Morgenthal Frederics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Morgenthal Frederics designs, handcrafts, and retails luxury optical frames and sunglasses, with a signature buffalo horn collection produced by artisans in Germany. The company operates 13 proprietary boutiques across the US, an e-commerce storefront, and a network of 50+ independent optical partners, supported by expert opticianry, bespoke fittings, comprehensive eye exams, and precision custom lens solutions.
Product overview
Morgenthal Frederics is a luxury eyewear retailer founded in 1913, operating 13 boutiques across the United States. The company offers a diversified portfolio comprising proprietary eyewear collections and curated third-party designer brands. Proprietary offerings center on the signature Horn Collection (buffalo horn eyewear handcrafted in Germany), alongside optical frames and sun styles in acetate, titanium, wood, and combination materials. The company also carries exclusive collaborations with Sabyasachi, Salvatore Ferragamo, Oscar de la Renta, and Matsuda, plus third-party luxury brands including Cartier and Jacques Marie Mage. Services include expert opticianry and fitting, comprehensive eye exams, virtual consultations, and precision optics with custom lens solutions. The product range spans cat-eye, panto, rectangle, round, square, aviator, and geometric frame shapes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Horn Collection Handcrafted buffalo horn optical and sunglass frames, produced by artisans in Germany from ethically sourced natural materials; each frame is one-of-a-kind and targeted at luxury eyewear buyers.
- Optical Frames Prescription eyewear in acetate, titanium, horn, horn/titanium combinations, and wood, available in cat-eye, panto, rectangle, round, and square shapes; designed for individual consumers seeking everyday prescription eyewear.
- Sun Frames
- Concierge Opticianry Services
- Eye Exam Services
- Precision Optics and Custom Lens Solutions Custom lens solutions including blue-light blocking (Blue Clear and Blue Tech), office lenses, fog-free technology, gradient and mirror sun lenses, and ChromoClear mood-enhancing lens technology; sold as part of the eyewear purchase for individual customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Each frame is handcrafted over hundreds of hours
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Morgenthal Frederics
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Morgenthal Frederics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Morgenthal Frederics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and minor.
- SabyasachikeyLimited-edition collaboration with India's leading luxury fashion house. Inspired by Calcutta, each frame brings together hallmarks of Sabyasachi with master craftsmanship of Morgenthal Frederics. Products include The Tolly ($1,595), 74 ($1,595), and The Sudder ($695), featuring exotic wood, natural horn detailing, and hand-painted enamel accents.
- Salvatore FerragamokeyLimited-edition collaboration with Italian luxury fashion house. Four-piece collection made by artisans in Germany over hundreds of hours from buffalo horn, accented by Ferragamo Gancini logo. Frames include SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4 ($2,895 each).
- Oscar de la RentakeyCollaboration featuring Audrey Series - handcrafted buffalo horn sunglasses inspired by fashion icon Audrey Hepburn, made in Germany. Includes Twist VI Horn ($2,895), Holly Horn ($2,895), The Monarch Horn ($2,895).
- MatsudakeyUnique collaboration recreating iconic Morgenthal Frederics style with Matsuda's signature ornate titanium. Limited edition Lifesavers in bold crystals (Matsuda Lifesaver $635) and buffalo horn versions (Matsuda Lifesaver Horn $3,095).
- CartiercoreThird-party luxury brand carried at Morgenthal Frederics boutiques. Founded 1847, known for exceptional eyewear developed from house's own vocabulary. Price range $945-$3,745.
- Jacques Marie MagecoreLos Angeles-based limited-edition artisanal eyewear creator. Sold at Morgenthal Frederics boutiques. Products include DEALAN 50 ($820), DEALAN 53 ($960), MOLINO 51 ($820).
- Chrome HeartscoreLA-based brand synonymous with rock n' roll and biker culture. Handcrafted eyewear with extreme attention to detail featuring iconic motifs.
- MaybachcoreHigh-end eyewear representing peak of optical luxury. Handmade from rare materials including buffalo horn, fine wood, carbon fiber, leather, titanium, and 18k gold.
- MYKITAcoreBerlin-based independent eyewear brand known for pioneering spiral hinge design and technical-aesthetic innovation.
- New York Botanical GardenminorPartnership honored through Flora Horn frame design, a testament to brand's connection with nature and sustainability.
- Independent Doctors of OptometrycoreExpert independent doctors of optometry perform comprehensive in-depth eye exams at select boutique locations to keep vision sharp and eyes healthy.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Morgenthal Frederics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Oliver Peoples: Heritage luxury eyewear brand with proprietary frames, branded boutiques, and a curated optical retail experience; the closest direct analogue to Morgenthal Frederics' premium, artisanal, optics-led model.
- Garrett Leight California Optical: Luxury eyewear brand with proprietary acetate and titanium frames sold through its own boutiques and select wholesale partners; mirrors MF's own-brand-plus-curation strategy and price ladder.
- DITA Eyewear: Premium independent eyewear maker producing handcrafted Japanese titanium and acetate frames in the same luxury price band as Morgenthal Frederics with selective boutique distribution.
- Lindberg: Danish manufacturer of high-end titanium and bespoke eyewear with flagship stores; directly comparable to MF on premium materials, customizable fitting, and proprietary craftsmanship.
- Selima Optique: New York-based luxury optical boutique with curated independent and vintage designer brands and bespoke styling; near-twin business model to Morgenthal Frederics' multi-brand boutique concept.
- Jacques Marie Mage: Limited-edition artisanal eyewear maker that MF actually retails in its boutiques ($750-$960); overlaps on handcraft narrative, one-of-a-kind positioning, and luxury price point.
- MYKITA: Berlin-based independent eyewear maker pioneering spiral hinge design and technical-aesthetic innovation; carried at Morgenthal Frederics boutiques and competes for the same design-led optical consumer.
- Chrome Hearts Eyewear: Handcrafted luxury eyewear positioned at the high end of materials and price; distributed through Morgenthal Frederics boutiques and overlaps in customer base of ultra-luxury collectors.
Broad incumbents
- Tom Ford Eyewear: Eyewear division of a major luxury fashion house with global distribution; addresses the same ultra-luxury optical customer but operates at much larger scale under a single brand umbrella.
- Cartier Eyewear: LVMH-owned maison whose eyewear (priced $945-$3,745 at MF) competes for the same luxury buyer; broader incumbent with far deeper resources, though MF curates Cartier rather than competing head-on.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Morgenthal Frederics social profiles
Digital presenceMorgenthal Frederics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Morgenthal Frederics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Morgenthal Frederics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Morgenthal Frederics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Morgenthal Frederics
What does Morgenthal Frederics do?
Morgenthal Frederics designs, handcrafts, and retails luxury optical frames and sunglasses, with a signature buffalo horn collection produced by artisans in Germany. The company operates 13 proprietary boutiques across the US, an e-commerce storefront, and a network of 50+ independent optical partners, supported by expert opticianry, bespoke fittings, comprehensive eye exams, and precision custom lens solutions.
Is Morgenthal Frederics a public or private company?
Morgenthal Frederics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Morgenthal Frederics founded?
Morgenthal Frederics was founded in 1913. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Morgenthal Frederics based?
Morgenthal Frederics is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Morgenthal Frederics make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Luxury Eyewear Sales are the primary driver. The others are professional Opticianry Services.
Who are Morgenthal Frederics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Oliver Peoples, Garrett Leight California Optical, DITA Eyewear, Lindberg, Selima Optique, Jacques Marie Mage, MYKITA and Chrome Hearts Eyewear. Broad incumbents are Tom Ford Eyewear and Cartier Eyewear.
Does Morgenthal Frederics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Morgenthal Frederics.
What industry is Morgenthal Frederics in?
Morgenthal Frederics's product category is Luxury Eyewear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAKAD, Luxury & Designer Eyewear, with a secondary code of CRAKAFAG, Luxury Eyewear (Sunglasses & Optical). Its NAICS code is 45613 and its SIC code is 3851.