ic! berlin

Founded in 1996, ic! berlin emerged from Berlin with an unconventional proposition: spectacles made from thin sheet metal, joined without traditional screws. Berlin remains more than a name on the temple; it is the place where the brand designs, engineers and crafts its eyewear.

The signature screwless hinge is central to that story. Instead of relying on tiny threaded fasteners, the construction uses an interlocking mechanism developed around the properties of the material. Cold rolled stainless steel became the defining starting point, allowing slender components and a flexible structure. The mechanical solution also established an unmistakable appearance, with exposed connections becoming part of the design rather than something to conceal.

Although associated with minimal metal frames, ic! berlin has also explored titanium, acetate and combinations of materials. Its collections move between understated optical shapes and stronger sunglasses, with colour, rims and contrasting components changing the character of a familiar outline.

Handwork continues to play a role alongside production technology in the Berlin manufactory.