SHADES OF COOL: Carlo Sestini, the Italian influencer and founder of eyewear brand Sestini, is feeling cheeky this spring. He translated that feeling to his eponymous line’s latest collection, titled “Birbante,” which literally means mischievous in Tuscan dialect.
“The word has always carried a special emotional weight for me. It’s playful, a little rebellious, but never out of place — exactly like the kind of person I design for,” Sestini said.
“Birbante reflects a certain Italian nonchalance, a refined confidence. It represents those who wear Sestini: people who value individuality and dare to live with flair,” he added.
Seven new frames, made from archival Mazzucchelli acetate, range from cool ‘70s-style aviator to a refined cat-eye pair that take inspiration from the 1950s. They range in price from approximately $820 for the made-to-order Carlo II glasses to $540 for the Sei e Mezzo sunnies.
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Along with the new shades, Florence-born Sestini has unveiled new biodegradable packaging inspired by his childhood memories of spending summers frolicking in his family’s lush vineyards.
While the brand’s latest collection offers up plenty of newness, it remains rooted in heritage.
“I think we’ve forgotten that Italy still holds some of the most skilled eyewear artisans in the world — people who are quietly, diligently creating beautiful, timeless pieces with soul. My goal with Sestini is to bring that reality back into the spotlight,” Sestini said.
“One of the artisans I work with was taught by his grandfather, who passed the skill to his son, and now he’s teaching his daughter — who’s already teaching her daughter. That’s four generations,” he continued. “That kind of continuity is powerful. It’s not just about making things by hand — it’s about preserving a legacy. If stories like this are forgotten, we lose more than technique — we lose identity, culture [and] memory.”
