Are Cubitts glasses worth it?+
For handcrafted frames, many wearers find Cubitts strong value rather than an indulgence. The frames are made by hand in acetate and built to last, and the brand offers bespoke and made-to-measure services in every store, which is rare at this level. As with any handmade product, finish can vary pair to pair, so it is worth inspecting yours on collection, but the craft-to-price balance is a big part of the appeal.
What makes a Cubitts frame different from ordinary glasses?+
The detail is in the pins. Cubitts secures the acetate with custom pins based on a rivet designed by Lewis Cubitt, and the pin drilling is done by hand, a process that takes time to perfect. Those hand-drilled pins also make the hinges easy to maintain. It is a small piece of engineering that sets the frames apart from mass-produced eyewear.
Should I get bespoke or off-the-shelf Cubitts?+
It comes down to fit and patience. Every Cubitts store offers bespoke and made-to-measure services, so if a stock frame never quite sits right on your nose or face, the custom route lets you tune the shape to you. Off-the-shelf is quicker and cheaper, and for many faces it is plenty; bespoke is the answer when you want a frame built precisely around your features.
Where does the Cubitts name come from?+
It honours the Cubitt brothers, the family of builders behind much of the area Cubitts calls home. The custom-pin rivet that defines the frames was designed by Lewis Cubitt, one of the three Cubitt brothers who inspired the brand name. So the name is a direct nod to King's Cross's own building heritage.
When and where was Cubitts founded?+
Cubitts was established in 2012 and is based in King's Cross, London. The brand has its workshop in King's Cross, which is also where it runs spectacle-making classes for the public. That rootedness in one London neighbourhood, right down to the name, is central to the brand's story.
Can I actually learn to make my own glasses at Cubitts?+
You can. Cubitts runs spectacle-making classes at its King's Cross workshop, so you can go beyond buying frames and try shaping a pair yourself. It is an unusual offering that reflects how seriously the brand takes the craft of eyewear, and a memorable way to understand what goes into a handmade frame.
Does Cubitts have stores I can visit?+
Yes. The brand has twenty stores, eighteen in the UK and two in New York, and all of them offer the bespoke and made-to-measure services. Visiting in person is the best way to try frames on, get measured properly, and explore the custom options, which matters a lot with eyewear you will wear every day.
Has Cubitts collaborated with artists and other brands?+
Often, and thoughtfully. Cubitts has worked with British heritage brand Sunspel on a capsule of sunglasses, with designer Phoebe English on custom sustainable sunglasses made from workshop waste, and with the menswear label YMC on a sunglasses collection. It has also released charity cleaning cloths designed by artists Tracey Emin and Camille Walala. The collaborations show a brand engaged with design and craft well beyond the optician's counter.
How does Cubitts honour the history of eyewear?+
In November 2018 the brand launched an exhibition charting London's six-hundred-year history of spectacles at the St James's Market Pavilion. It even included a frame made from items 'mudlarked' from the River Thames. That kind of project signals a brand that treats glasses as part of a long cultural story, not just a product to sell.
How should I care for my handmade Cubitts frames?+
Treat acetate gently and it will reward you. Clean the lenses with a soft cloth and a little water rather than dry-wiping grit across them, store the frames in a case when they are off your face, and keep them out of prolonged heat that can warp acetate. Because the pins and hinges are designed to be maintained, a visit back to a Cubitts store can keep an older pair feeling tight and aligned for years.
