Italiano 
Romain Mercadier shows us around the ‘La Brique et la Violette’ workshop, where inspiration is the order of the day
There are places where ideas are in continuous flux, where the creative process never stands still but is always evolving. In the atelier at La Brique et la Violette, they don’t sit around waiting for inspiration, they nurture it day after day, so it emerges naturally and freely. This is the method Romain Mercadier, an optician with twenty years’ experience and founder of La Brique et la Violette, uses to create his eyewear. «You’ve got to be in a good mood to design, you’ve got to have the right inspiration. But you can’t conjure inspiration out of thin air. So, every day I open up my computer, I look over the drawings I’ve done up to then and I start drawing, creating new shapes. When the time comes to design a new collection, I’ve already got a small portfolio I can start with. Some sketches might already be in good shape, others less so, but they could be useful in the future».
Freedom of expression
Romain began manufacturing custom eyewear in 2012, in his first shop which he opened with his wife, Marine. «I loved creating and producing glasses for the people who came into my shop. But after a couple of years, I realised my creations were limited to the confines of the shop. I wanted to get them out there, show them to the world». This desire led to the establishment of La Brique et la Violette, a business and a brand where creativity, production and freedom are the driving force. Today it has a staff of 11 and, since the pandemic – when the business really took off with the setting-up of the in-house workshop – has gone from strength to strength.
The name of the company is a direct but poetic reference to Toulouse, which Romain and Marine are both from: “la brique” is the red brick typically used in Toulouse’s architecture, and “la violette” is the flower which is the symbol of the region. «We wanted a name that immediately spoke to you of Toulouse, because it was important for us to have a strong, local identity. It’s a bit poetic and when we first came up with it, it made us smile: we try to bring a bit of humour into what we do as well, so I think it’s apt».
This philosophy is reflected in the brand’s collections: eyewear with attitude that expresses freedom and authenticity and embraces what makes you unique. «I try to convey a sense of freedom in my designs. Our collections have simple but extremely characterful shapes that are designed for anyone who wants to celebrate their individuality. Similarly, we offer a variety of colours and finishes for customers to personalise their own model».
The importance of being manufacturers
The creative process at La Brique et la Violette always starts with the frame design, which is Romain’s area of expertise. Once the shapes have been decided, work begins on the prototypes, a fundamental stage in the process as this is when ergonomics, balance and comfort are all defined. Being manufacturers, Romain explains, is a great asset: «It’s no problem for us to create multiple prototypes, refine all the details and produce frames that sit perfectly on your face. This means our products really are of the highest quality». Once the shape and balance of the prototype have been perfected, they are tested with different colours and finishes. When they are happy with the result, they select the models that will make up the collection.
The workshop at La Brique et la Violette is specialised in working with cellulose acetate and each pair of glasses is meticulously crafted, from the initial design to frame production and the final assembly of the various parts. Romain emphasizes the importance of being both a designer and manufacturer. «When I design a frame, I am able to envisage what will be easy, hard or impossible to actually make».
Merging materials
The brand has extensive knowledge of cellulose acetate and the skills to bring out its full potential. Wanting to try something new, however, Romain and his team gradually started introducing metal into their designs, elevating the collections with more elaborate techniques and new looks.
La Brique et la Violette has been working with D.F. on the production of its metal temples for about two years now: «D.F.’s experience and expertise with metal is invaluable when choosing the best solutions for our products and we are able to apply these new techniques and knowledge across the board, in all aspects of our work».
Over time, this technical progress and the production experience of both companies have led to tangible results: «I love working with D.F., because together we have created something quite unique. France has got some first-class metal suppliers but most brands tend to use the same ones, so the results are all very similar. I’m very proud of the temples we have produced with D.F. because they are the perfect match for our eyewear and our identity».
There’s more to a successful working partnership than just the two parties: you need solid foundations. Romain is a firm believer in transparency when discussing the technical side of things: «We need a supplier who will tell us straight up if something is going to be complicated. Because then we can adapt the project accordingly, find alternatives and anticipate problems before they actually arise».
Today La Brique et la Violette continues to go from strength to strength, creating eyewear that lets its customers express their individuality, authenticity and freedom. What makes the brand truly unique is its understanding of both design and production: it optimizes both the creative and the production processes, making dialogue with its suppliers more immediate and effective and ensuring end results of the highest quality.
«Working with D.F. was very easy from the outset. We connected at MIDO and about two weeks after we sent them one of my designs, I received the first prototype. The project progressed quickly, the details were defined efficiently and accurately and within a short space of time we had a first-class result — we have continued the same way ever since. We couldn’t do without the skills and professionalism of the D.F. team».
Romain Mercadier, founder and designer of LA BRIQUE ET LA VIOLETTE
WE SHAPE WHAT YOU’RE IMAGINING
“We have an idea” is one of our favorite phrases — it sets our creative engine in motion. There’s no pre-set path, no fixed route to follow: the way to reach the desired result, and go beyond expectations, is something we build together, combining our technical expertise with your best ideas.
LAB is our workshop, designed for those who want to push the limits in high-end eyewear, to create and bring something truly unique to life.
