Tura Frames

Tura has been a leader in frame fashion and design since the company’s start in Manhattan in 1938. Its founder, Monroe B. Levoy, had his attorney file a patent in 1946 – which was granted a year later – for the first pair of glasses wherein both the temples and the frame front were put together as one piece, rather than being sold separately, as had been the case previously. This was only the beginning of many innovations Tura would introduce to the world of eyewear.

Tura was the first frame manufacturer to use jewels and gold filigree to decorate its designs. Following up with something more daring, Tura created a detachable ornamental piece that was available, depending on the design, for wearing on either the right or left temple, or for both. This was touted as not only attractive eyewear, but also as a device to hold the hair in place, the “double tiara” design as it was called. In addition, there was one design – the Kala Lily — that had a detachable pin that could be worn separately. This was followed later by a few designs with available coordinating jewelry. Not to be left out, the Mr. Tura line added lizard leather touches to men’s frames as well as matching cuff links. Fashion had truly melded with eyewear design!

Tura was the first eyewear company to join forces with a major designer (Christian Dior) and to partner with a fashion magazine (Vogue). The frames are designed with global styling and aesthetics in mind, in New York City and Nuremberg, Germany. Tura continues to blend fashion and eyewear with advanced technology, adding memory metal frames in classic designs. Designers and celebrities are still drawn to the Tura brand, with Lulu Guiness, Gwen Stefani, Kate Young, and Ted Baker joining the list of names with stylish and popular collections for men and women.