The future of vision. Since 1964.
The history of the Silhouette Group.
1964
A company is born: incorporation
1964
A company is born: incorporation
Anneliese and Arnold Schmied established the company and the Silhouette brand in 1964. They did so with passion and a global outlook. The Silhouette Group is now in its third generation of family ownership.
1983
Groundbreaking innovation: our high-tech SPX® material
1983
Groundbreaking innovation: our high-tech SPX® material
Silhouette developed the synthetic material SPX®, which opened up a new dimension in incredibly lightweight eyewear design.
1993
New to the game: adidas Sport eyewear
1993
New to the game: adidas Sport eyewear
In 1993, the Silhouette Group launched the licensed production of the adidas Sport eyewear brand. In 2019, the Silhouette Group concluded its partnership with adidas.
1997
Sparkling eyes: licensed production for Swarovski
1997
Sparkling eyes: licensed production for Swarovski
In 1997, the Silhouette Group began licensed production for Daniel Swarovski Crystal Eyewear, ending in 2010.
1999
Pioneering: Titan Minimal Art
1999
Pioneering: Titan Minimal Art
At just 1.8 grams, Silhouette Titan Minimal Art revolutionized the eyewear market in 1999 and became a worldwide success story. It was the first screwless, hingeless, titanium eyewear that adjusted perfectly to the individual wearer’s needs.
2000
Weightless with a secure fit: Silhouette in space
2000
Weightless with a secure fit: Silhouette in space
Since 2000, Titan Minimal Art has been certified for space travel. Our screwless and hingeless eyewear is the perfect option for astronauts when experiencing weightlessness.
2014
Anniversary: 50 years of innovation
2014
Anniversary: 50 years of innovation
The company celebrated its 50th anniversary with a reinterpretation of the cult classic, Futura. The model caused a stir in the 70s. Its subsequent reinterpretation points to the future.
2016
Urban and sustainable: NEUBAU EYEWEAR
2016
Urban and sustainable: NEUBAU EYEWEAR
In 2016, we launched our new eyewear brand NEUBAU EYEWEAR. Since January 2021, NEUBAU EYEWEAR GmbH has been operating as an independent subsidiary of the Silhouette Group.
2017
A one-stop shop: 100% Silhouette
2017
A one-stop shop: 100% Silhouette
Silhouette International is now a full-service provider. The company’s in-house Lens Lab in our home city of Linz produces both frames and lenses, with the highest degree of precision and a great deal of skillful manual input. This coming-together of premium-quality frames, lenses and service creates something truly special: a perfect, all-round, visual experience.
2018
Forging the way ahead: production of the 100 millionth pair of glasses
2018
Forging the way ahead: production of the 100 millionth pair of glasses
What started out as a vision with the very first pair of Silhouette eyewear in 1964, resulted in 100 million pairs of premium eyewear by 2018. We’re delighted with this fantastic milestone and we’re looking forward to many more in the future.
2019
Unapologetically excellent: new sports eyewear brand evil eye
2019
Unapologetically excellent: new sports eyewear brand evil eye
The company began developing and producing sports eyewear under its evil eye brand in 2019. The brand produces highly functional sports eyewear made from premium quality materials. Engineered to the highest functional and filtering specifications, evil eye glasses help the wearer to achieve peak performance even with the highest of requirements.
2019
Groundbreaking at the time and still groundbreaking today: Titan Minimal Art
2019
Groundbreaking at the time and still groundbreaking today: Titan Minimal Art
Silhouette garnered worldwide acclaim with the introduction of its Titan Minimal Art eyewear, characterized by its incredible lightness and optimal comfort. Over 12 million pairs of this iconic eyewear have been sold. With more being sold every day.
2020
100% bio-based material: our natural3D
2020
100% bio-based material: our natural3D
In 2020, NEUBAU EYEWEAR was the first European brand to produce completely sustainable eyewear using 3D printing. By developing the natural3D 100% bio-based material, NEUBAU has also successfully employed a waste-free production process.
2021
The future is digital: the virtual world of Silhouette
2021
The future is digital: the virtual world of Silhouette
This has never been done before: For the first time, Silhouette is using the Buy Local Initiative to combine the advantages of the online and offline world. The Silhouette digital showroom combines the digital world with personalized advice in an extremely innovative way, allowing eyecare professionals to immerse themselves in the virtual world of Silhouette.
2022
Keeping an eye on the planet
2022
Keeping an eye on the planet
Since September 2022, our eyewear production has proudly achieved CO2-neutrality through external offsetting, verified independently by TÜV Austria. We are continually implementing internal measures to further diminish our carbon footprint
2023
Diversity as enrichment and key to corporate success
2023
Diversity as enrichment and key to corporate success
The Silhouette Group signs the Diversity Charter. We offer employees, regardless of origin, gender, age, or sexual orientation, equal opportunities.
2024
Celebrating an icon's birthday
2024
Celebrating an icon's birthday
Even 25 after Titan Minimal Art revolutionized the eyewear industry, its profoundly minimalist design continues to captivate individuals globally. As we celebrate this iconic milestone, we're propelling our bestseller to new heights with a special update.
2024
60 years of innovation
2024
60 years of innovation
With a pioneering spirit dating back to 1964, the Silhouette Group and its iconic Silhouette brand are proudly celebrating their 60th anniversary. As we mark this milestone, we eagerly anticipate the journey ahead, committed to maintaining our leadership in quality within the premium eyewear segment for decades to come.