22 Jan 2026
JL Spex arrives at EYES on St Albans not as a sudden idea, but as the final piece of a plan that has been quietly taking shape for more than 40 years.
Designed by Jez Levy and made in Italy, JL Spex is a new eyewear collection, currently exclusively available from EYES on St Albans. It brings together Italian craftsmanship, confident design and a deep understanding of how frames should look, feel and last. More than that, it represents a long-held ambition – one that dates back to 1983, when Jez first started out in the optical industry.
From the beginning, the idea of creating his own collection was always there. Opening the shop ticked off one major piece of that jigsaw: an independent practice built on quality, expertise and genuine care for customers. JL Spex completes another.
Although, as anyone who knows Jez will tell you, there is always likely to be another idea waiting in the wings.
JL Spex is eyewear that has been properly thought through. Not rushed. Not trend-led for the sake of it.
Every design decision draws directly from Jez’s experience at the dispensing desk – years of fittings, adjustments, problem-solving and conversations about what people
really want from their glasses. Shape, balance, comfort and durability all matter just as much as style.
At the heart of the collection is quality. Each frame is made using the finest-grade Italian acetate, selected for its strength, depth of colour and ability to age beautifully over time (a bit like Jez).
These materials are used by some of the world’s most respected eyewear makers and are prized for their durability as much as their finish.
Combined with pinned and riveted joints, JL Spex frames are built properly. Solid, dependable and reassuringly robust, they are designed to cope with everyday life rather than be treated as something disposable.
That strength is paired with a confident sense of style. JL Spex mixes fun and funk with wearability, offering on-trend shapes that still feel timeless enough to enjoy for years.
There was a muttering of something along the lines of “You’re never too old to be cool”!
Alongside Midnight Black and Classic Tortoise, the collection includes bolder colourways such as Electric Blue, Scarlet, Ultraviolet and Studio Olive. The colours are expressive without being overpowering, giving customers the freedom to choose something that feels right for them.
Running through the collection is the idea (and love) of being a little bit rebellious. Not loud or gimmicky, but quietly confident. This rebellion shows up in the details: confident silhouettes, unexpected colour choices and frames that stand apart without needing to shout.
JL Spex is eyewear for people who like to make considered choices and enjoy wearing something with personality.
The character of the collection also shows up in the names of the frames themselves. Each style is named after a St Albans pub, blending Jez’s own heritage with his long-standing love of the city’s independent pubs and live music venues.
Some names nod to places from his early years, others to favourites he still enjoys today – whether that’s catching a gig at The Horn or enjoying a quiet pint at The Boot while looking out towards the Clock Tower.
Together, the names root the collection firmly in the rhythms of St Albans life.
Before any JL Spex frame reaches the shop floor, it is personally checked by Jez. Fit, finish and detailing are all reviewed by hand before glazing takes place. Only once everything meets his standards is the final detail added: the sterling silver JL Spex signature insignia.
This small but meaningful mark is applied in-store, by hand, and only when a frame is fully ready. It is a subtle signature, but one that reflects the care and pride behind the collection.
JL Spex has its own dedicated display area within the shop, allowing the frames and branding to stand confidently on their own. The star icon reflects the character of the collection and nods to the star-shaped pins featured on many of the models. Bold, energetic and modern, it brings a full-on rock’n’roll edge that feels right at home in an independent city like St Albans.
Manufacturing the collection in Italy was a very deliberate choice. Italian eyewear makers are renowned for their expertise, precision and long-standing traditions in working with acetate.
Producing JL Spex in Italy allows the collection to benefit from skilled craftsmanship and finishing techniques that have been refined over decades. The result is eyewear that
feels balanced, comfortable and extremely well made.
Now launched, JL Spex marks an important moment for Jez. It is not simply a new collection arriving on the shelves, but the realisation of a long-held idea shaped by experience, curiosity and a refusal to cut corners. For customers, it offers something genuinely new: eyewear designed by someone who understands frames inside out and believes they should be built to last.
JL Spex is confident, considered and quietly rebellious. A collection shaped by decades of knowledge, finished by hand in-store and rooted firmly in St Albans – with a lot of care, a few hugs and more than a little rock’n’roll.
