# Alain Mikli

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**Alain Mikli** (born **Alain Miklitarian**; 1 April 1955) is a French-Armenian designer of high-end handmade [eyeglasses](/source/Eyeglasses) and accessories.[1] Mikli's line features unique colors and shapes, and are a favorite among European celebrities and avant-garde Americans. Mikli claims his use of color is inspired by his [Lebanese Armenian](/source/Armenians_in_Lebanon) heritage.

## Career

In 1978, Mikli opened his design studio in [Paris](/source/Paris). By 1983, celebrities like [Elton John](/source/Elton_John) helped bring the line recognition by wearing and touting Mikli products. [Kanye West](/source/Kanye_West) wore Alain Mikli sunglasses in his music video, [Stronger](/source/Stronger_(Kanye_West_song)), which he specifically requested from the designer. This style of sunglasses has become a wide phenomenon, usually being referred to as "[shutter shades](/source/Shutter_shades)". As of 2000, Mikli's firm employed 220 people with sales of approx. FF220 million. Around 500,000 pairs of Mikli glasses have been sold worldwide.[citation needed]

He co-founded the Hugo Desnoyer restaurants in 2015 with the butcher Hugo Desnoyer, but broke the partnership in 2017 to continue alone to develop a fine meat business.[2]

In 2009, Mikli acquired 75% of [Vuarnet](/source/Vuarnet).[3]

On 23 January 2013, Alain Mikli International was bought by Italian eyewear giant [Luxottica](/source/Luxottica) for around 90 million euros.[4]

In 2024, he relaunched his eyewear business with the opening of an optics store in Paris.[5]

## References

1. Lannon, Linnea (June 17, 1987). ["Alain Mikli's vision includes unusual eyewear"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141216054527/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3CF40DB284692&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM). *[Dallas Morning News](/source/Dallas_Morning_News)*. Archived from [the original](http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3CF40DB284692&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM) on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2012.

1. Arnaud, Jean-François (2017-01-13). ["Restauration: Pourquoi Alain Mikli se sépare d'Hugo Desnoyer, le boucher star"](https://www.challenges.fr/vie-entreprise/club-entrepreneurs/restauration-pourquoi-alain-mikli-se-separe-d-hugo-desnoyer-le-boucher-star_447855) (in French). *Challenges*. Retrieved 2024-11-22.

1. Vulser, Nicole (2009-12-17). ["Alain Mikli International rachète les lunettes Vuarnet"](https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2009/12/17/alain-mikli-international-rachete-les-lunettes-vuarnet_1282065_3234.html) (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-25.

1. ["Luxottica Group SpA Closes Acquisition of Alain Mikli International"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130131112649/http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/LUX/key-developments/article/2679353). *[Reuters](/source/Reuters)*. January 23, 2013. Archived from [the original](https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/LUX/key-developments/article/2679353) on January 31, 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.

1. Paumard, Laurine (2024-10-01). ["“Habiller le regard est le plus beau métier du monde” Alain Mikli, le génie de la lunette, fait son grand retour"](https://www.vogue.fr/promotion/alain-mikli-nouvelle-collection-adresse) (in fr-FR). *Vogue France*. Retrieved 2024-11-22.

## External links

- [Home page](http://www.alainmikli.com)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alain Mikli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alain_Mikli) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alain_Mikli?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.