Despite its rather Gallic sounding name, Charmant is a company with its roots steeped in Japan and also in technology. The company was founded in Sabae City, Fukui, by Kaoru Horikawa in 1956. Horikawa, who remains the chairman today, started in the lens business but during the 1960s and 70s moved into frames. Charmant quickly grew, expanding into the US and then Europe and by 2011 was making 7.4 million frames for 110 different countries from factories in Japan and China.
Louise Brunton, general manager of Charmant UK, takes up the story: ‘At the same time as this was happening Mr Horikawa realised that there was a market for titanium eyewear and that’s where Charmant became a pioneer. The success of the titanium eyewear grew and grew and grew and in my opinion we are the world’s number one manufacturer of titanium eyewear today.’
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