Thistles

Thistles is an eyewear brand founded in 2023 by Thistle Brown, a New Zealand-born, New York-based photographer and creative director. That background shows in how the label describes itself: it is shaped by observation, a feel for materials and a raw New York attitude. Each frame is handcrafted in Italy and takes a contemporary approach to traditional eyewear. The brand says the frames are designed to both shield and be seen, which is a fair summary for anyone who wants glasses with a bit of presence rather than something that simply disappears on the face. It is a young label, so worth watching as it builds a track record.