Lauretta Dives and William Morris’ Robert Morris

Iconic British Eyewear designer William Morris has launched the William Morris Gallery Eyewear Collection.

A world-famous designer, craftsman, poet and political activist, the older William Morris was a founding member of the British arts and crafts movement in 1834. His exquisitely designed textiles, wallpapers and home wear are still popular today, and synonymous with iconic British department store John Lewis.

The partnership between Robert Morris, founder and designer of today’s William Morris eyewear company (William is his middle name) and the iconic textile designer, was brought about by product development specialist and retro eyewear dealer Lauretta Dives. “I simply asked Robert, why aren’t you doing William Morris by William Morris?”

Dives then approached The William Morris Gallery in East London, the older William Morris’ former home and caretaker of his art and artefacts collection. The gallery was delighted as they said they kept getting calls for William Morris eyewear, Dives said. “They are delightful people and it’s a great collaboration. They’ve been so supportive because they love their product and they loved the eyewear (Robert) produced.”

It is the most obvious collaboration, said Robert Morris. “For over 20 years I have been asked if we are connected with William Morris, the designer, and I am delighted that through this collection we can now officially claim our place in the great British heritage design tradition.”

The challenge, however, was to come up with something different, he said. “I needed to come up with designs that suited the collaboration but didn’t look like a William Morris London or William Morris Black design. So, we had to create a completely new look.”

Robert was also attracted by the opportunity to support The William Morris Gallery’s art education programmes for children, which it runs on behalf of Waltham Forest Council. A percentage of the royalties William Morris returns on each sale is given to the Gallery’s charitable arm.

The 12 contemporary optical frames, designed for both men and women, are crafted from

metal and acetate and feature 12 of the most popular William Morris prints from 1880 to

1905. Each print has been intricately placed on the inside of the arms through to the temple

Tips, as an integral part of the styling. Each frame is sold with a matching print, magnetic flat-folding case and co-ordinating polishing cloth.