MYKITA GmbH is an eyewear manufacturer based in Berlin, Germany known internationally for its hand-assembled prescription frames and sunglasses.
Company
The company was founded by Harald Gottschling, Daniel Haffmans, Philipp Haffmans, Moritz Krüger, Nils Neckel and Jean-Pierre Neumeister in 2003. All of its products are hand-assembled in their manufactory in Berlin. In 2014 MYKITA moved to the current headquarters in the historical Pelikan-Haus in Berlin, Kreuzberg. The name MYKITA is derived from ”Kita” and is a reference to the firm’s first premises in a former day nursery. MYKITA has its own stores in major cities around the world, including New York, Berlin, and Tokyo. Its products are sold in over 80 countries.
Products
In 2004 MYKITA launched its first metal-frame collection, Collection No1. The frames are made from stainless steel and feature a patented hingeless design with no screws or welded joints. Collection No2, launched soon afterwards, comprises acetate frames and includes both prescription models and sunglasses. The Lite, Decades and Luxe lines were then also added to the product range. The Lite collection comprises the company’s lightest models, which have an ultra-thin frame comprising just three parts. The Decades collection is based on spectacles forms from various eras of the 20th century. Luxe has an emphasis on naturally sourced materials. In 2010 MYKITA introduced MYLON, a new material based on polyamide and a first in the eyewear industry. The selective laser sintering technique is used to make frames individually and without form-related restrictions. The entire production process is zero waste, with any unused powder being recycled for subsequent use. According to the manufacturer, MYLON provides a wide range of design options thanks to its lightness; in addition, the material’s thermal adaptability means the frames are fully adjustable. The first MYLON collection was premiered at the Silmo eyewear fair in September 2011. To celebrate their 8th anniversary, the company published the MYKITA 8 Book, including works of famous artists and photographers: Bernhard Willhelm, Mark Borthwick, Agathe Snow, Billy and Hells, Sarah Illenberger, Lina Ekstrand, Bengtsson, Mikio Hasui, Signe Kjaer and Kristin Loschert.
Awards
2007 IF Design Award – Won – – optical frames reddot Design Award – Won – – product design Silmo d’Or – Nominated – 2008 German Design Award – Nominated – IF Design Award – Won – 2009 German Design Award – Nominated – Good Design Award – Won – 2010 Reddot Design Award 2010 – Honorable Mention – Reddot Design Award 2010 – Won – IF Design Award – Won – Deutscher Gründerpreis – Nominated – IDEA Award – Silver –. 2011 IF Material Award – Won – 2012 Red dot design award – Won - Communication Design 2012 - Editorial & Corporate Publishing –
Collaborations
In 2009 MYKITA and German fashion designer Bernhard Wilhelm launched a jointly developed eyewear collection. The mirrored sunglasses model ”Franz” from this collection enjoyed international media attention after being worn by actress Sarah Jessica Parker in the movie Sex and the City 2. Further artists and fashion designers that MYKITA have worked with include Moncler, Romain Kremer, Marios Schwab, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Agathe Snow and the cosmetics brand uslu airlines with whom they co created three aviator sunglasses with the frame colors matching the color of the nail polish that comes with. In 2012, Mykita announced a collaboration with Damir Doma, the acclaimed Paris based fashion house. Together they created Mykita Damir Doma Eyewear which fuses Damir Doma's aesthetic with the latest technology developed by Mykita. All products are handmade in Germany and distributed in selected luxury and specialty stores around the world. Most recently, MYKITA has collaborated with designers Maison Martin Margiela, , and creating one of a kind eyewear pieces.
