The story of Ahlem

With one foot in Paris and the other in LA, French Ahlem Manai-Platt founded the eyewear brand AHLEM in January 2015. After ten years in fashion at Acne and Miu Miu, consulting roles in the Parisian fashion scene and advisor to the Fédération Française du Prêt à Porter, Manai- Platt's future in the eyewear industry. The idea for the career change was born sitting in a cafe in Paris together with some friends. "We discussed goals and I showed the group sketches of old vintage sunglasses that I loved. Their excited reactions gave me the courage to take the plunge towards my true passion."

AHLEM draws inspiration from both of its two hometowns. It's the collision of relaxed Venice Beach vibes and a nonchalant Parisian attitude that best describes Manai-Platt's vision for AHLEM. Classic shapes mixed with their modern designs that innovate and inspire result in frames with attitude and elegance to wear every day and for all occasions. The names of the frames are taken from Manai-Platt's favorite places in the French capital, and they are still made by hand today in Oyonnax, which is a small village in the French Alps.

Today, seven years after AHLEM was founded, Manai-Platt has stores including both on Abbot Kinney in Venice and another in the heart of Manhattan. AHLEM has cemented its role in the eyewear industry as a brand with an ever-changing collection of on-trend frames – as suited to the California boardwalk as the streets of Paris, and everywhere in between. It has made the brand a favorite in the fashion world, among famous faces and last but not least, our customers!