SightCare award winners discover the craftsmanship behind FEB 31ST in Bergamo

SightCare award winners discover the craftsmanship behind FEB 31ST in Bergamo

The team from Park Lane Opticians in Macclesfield have travelled to Bergamo, Italy, for a behind-the-scenes visit to FEB 31ST after winning SightCare’s Frame Styling Practice of the Year Award 2026.

The trip formed part of the prize provided by award sponsor FEB 31ST and gave three members of the Park Lane team the opportunity to see first-hand how the brand’s distinctive wooden eyewear is designed and made.

Hosted by FEB 31ST co-founder Stefano Sarti Cipriani and UK sales director Jason Robinson, the visit included a tour of the company’s recently relocated production facility, where the team followed the journey of a frame from sheets of coloured wood through to the finished product.

Each frame begins with wafer-thin layers of wood, which can be combined in different colours and patterns. Thirteen layers are bonded together and shaped under heat and pressure before the frame components are cut. From there, much of the process is carried out by hand, with individual frames filed, sanded, finished and checked by FEB 31ST’s skilled team.

For Park Lane Assistant Practice Manager and Frame Stylist Angharad Bramwell, seeing the people behind the product was a highlight.

Angharad said:

“Seeing first-hand all the love that goes into the frames, and how much they truly care about what they make, was really special.”

Sustainability was another theme running throughout the visit. FEB 31ST produces frames to order rather than manufacturing large quantities of stock, an approach that particularly struck Park Lane Daily Operations Manager and Frame Stylist Melissa Oliver.

Melissa explained:

“Sustainability isn’t a by-product here. Often something is made first and then people look at what they can do afterwards to make it more sustainable. With FEB 31ST, it starts out that way and the frame is only made when it’s needed. That’s the beauty of it.”

This reflects FEB 31ST’s wider philosophy: to give individuals complete freedom and choice in creating truly bespoke eyewear, while minimising environmental impact and working towards zero waste.

Attention to detail was evident throughout the manufacturing process, from the extensive hand finishing to components developed specifically for the frames when standard alternatives did not meet the company’s requirements.

The visit also revealed how strongly FEB 31ST is connected to its home in Bergamo. Stefano explained that the new factory location was chosen in part to remain close to the skilled craftspeople whose expertise in working with wood is central to the business.

That connection extends to the company’s designs. During a visit to Bergamo’s historic Città Alta, Stefano showed the group the intricate geometric façade of the Cappella Colleoni in Piazza Duomo, detailing that has directly inspired one of FEB 31ST’s frame designs.

Park Lane Opticians won Frame Styling Practice of the Year at the SightCare Awards in April, recognising the practice’s approach to helping clients choose eyewear that reflects their individual style and personality.

SightCare’s Communications & Marketing Manager Susie Connolly, who joined the visit, said:

“What really stayed with me was the connection between the frames, the people who make them and the place they come from. We saw an incredible level of skill and care at every stage of the process, but also how the colours, patterns and craftsmanship of Bergamo itself find their way into the finished product.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for the Park Lane team to get closer to a brand they are already passionate about and to take that story back to their clients.”

SightCare would like to thank Stefano Sarti Cipriani and Jason Robinson for their generous hospitality and for creating a memorable experience for the Park Lane team.