Silhouette was established in 1964 by husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Anneliese and Arnold Schmied, who envisioned creating eyewear that combined elegance, comfort, and engineering excellence. From the outset, the company focused on premium craftsmanship rather than mass production. 1

Over the decades, Silhouette evolved into one of Austria’s most internationally recognized eyewear manufacturers while remaining independently family-owned. The company maintains its headquarters, research, design, and much of its production in Linz, emphasizing Austrian manufacturing and quality control. 1

Silhouette’s design philosophy revolves around four principles:

• Minimalism
• Lightweight construction
• Comfort for all-day wear
• Timeless elegance

Rather than emphasizing bold logos or decorative elements, the brand aims to make eyewear feel almost “invisible” on the face while maintaining a refined, premium appearance. This philosophy is often summarized by the company’s emphasis on “lightness” as both a physical characteristic and a design mindset. 1

Silhouette is considered one of the industry’s major innovators.

Titan Minimal Art (TMA)

Perhaps its most famous innovation is Titan Minimal Art, introduced in 1999. The collection features:

• Rimless construction
• Screwless hinge technology
• Extremely lightweight titanium
• Flexible frame architecture

The collection became an iconic product line, with more than 12 million pairs sold worldwide. 1

SPX®

In 1983, Silhouette introduced SPX®, a proprietary high-performance polymer developed specifically for eyewear. 1

Characteristics include:

• Extremely lightweight
• Flexible
• Durable
• Heat resistant
• Color stable

SPX remains one of the company’s signature materials. 1

Precision Manufacturing

Silhouette controls much of its production process, including:

• Industrial design
• Engineering
• Frame manufacturing
• Lens production
• Assembly
• Quality testing

Since 2017, the company has operated as a full-service eyewear supplier, producing both frames and prescription lenses designed to work together. 1

Silhouette uses premium materials including:

• High-grade titanium
• SPX® polymer
• Stainless steel
• High-performance plastics
• Precision optical lenses

Titanium remains one of the brand’s defining materials due to its:

• Corrosion resistance
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Biocompatibility
• Very low weight

Silhouette manufactures:

Optical Frames

Designed for everyday prescription wear with an emphasis on comfort and low weight.

Sunglasses

Premium sunglasses featuring lightweight frames and high-quality lenses.

Rimless Collection

The brand’s signature category and one of the world’s best-known rimless eyewear lines.

Full-Rim Collection

Modern interpretations of classic frame styles using titanium and SPX.

Prescription Lenses

Custom-made lenses manufactured alongside Silhouette frames for integrated performance. 1

Unlike many eyewear brands that outsource production, Silhouette continues to manufacture a substantial portion of its products in Austria. 1

Production emphasizes:

• Precision engineering
• Hand finishing
• Automated quality control
• Sustainability
• High manufacturing standards

Each pair undergoes extensive quality inspections before leaving the factory. 1

Silhouette products are sold in more than 100 countries through:

• Independent opticians
• Premium optical retailers
• Authorized distributors
• Brand boutiques
• Online channels

The company employs approximately 1,300–1,400 people worldwide and serves customers across Europe, North America, Asia, and other international markets. 2

Silhouette has received more than 110 international design awards for innovation, engineering, and industrial design across its brands. Its Titan Minimal Art line alone has earned numerous design distinctions and remains one of the most recognizable rimless eyewear collections in the world. 1

Silhouette is the flagship brand of the Silhouette Group, which also includes:

• NEUBAU Eyewear (urban lifestyle)
• evil eye (performance sports eyewear)

Together, these brands share a focus on premium materials, innovative design, and high manufacturing standards. 1

Silhouette is commonly associated with:

• Austrian craftsmanship
• Premium quality
• Lightweight engineering
• Minimalist aesthetics
• Luxury eyewear
• Technical innovation
• Precision manufacturing

Its customers often value subtle sophistication over overt branding, making the eyewear popular in professional and executive settings.

• Family-owned since 1964
• Headquartered in Linz, Austria
• Known for ultra-lightweight eyewear
• Pioneer of screwless rimless frames
• Developer of proprietary SPX® material
• Extensive use of titanium
• Integrated frame-and-lens manufacturing
• Global leader in premium rimless eyewear 1

1. History & Milestones | Silhouette Group
2. Silhouette (eyewear)