How an aerospace engineer in Paris now makes luxury sunglasses for Dh7,000 in Dubai

Dubai: What do Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Madonna have in common—besides global superstardom? They all wear Andre Montana’s sunglasses. But behind those lenses lies a story shaped not just by glamour, but by grit, engineering precision, and an unlikely headquarters: Dubai.

“I moved to Dubai three years ago, and it felt like the right place instantly,” says Andre, who originally hails from Paris.

“It’s well placed for my work—I can reach Los Angeles, Europe, Asia. But more importantly, it feels like home.”

For someone who has designed eyewear worn by the world’s biggest stars, Andre is surprisingly grounded. His brand may be synonymous with bling, boldness, and exclusivity, but his story started modestly.

As a teenager in Paris, he began collecting vintage sunglasses—long before it became fashionable.

“I was 14 or 15. I loved finding old, forgotten stock from shuttered factories in Europe, Japan, South Korea,” he says. “Everyone was chasing mass production, but I saw value in craftsmanship.”

That passion evolved into a massive vintage archive—more than 100,000 pairs and counting. Some frames are now worth upwards of $10,000. “There are pieces I’ll never sell. Not even for Beyoncé—unless I have two,” he laughs, referring to a vintage Tiffany pair the pop icon now owns.

Long before celebrities discovered his work, Andre was an engineer designing for the automotive and aerospace industries.

“Mechanical design is my background. I was working for French and German companies. That foundation helps me now—because I don’t just sketch ideas. I know how to build them.”

His breakthrough came unexpectedly. A fashion project landed on his desk, and something clicked. “That was the turning point. I knew I didn’t want to design car parts anymore—I wanted to make eyewear.”

It wasn’t easy to pivot. His father, a traditionalist, was disappointed when André left his stable corporate job. But he knew he had to take risks.

“I quit and travelled the world for years. I needed to explore, understand other cultures, and figure out what I really wanted.”

Eventually, he convinced a prestigious Japanese factory—run by just five master craftsmen—to manufacture his designs.

“It took five years. They only work with five brands at a time and rejected me many times. But just before COVID, they gave me a chance.”

That chance paid off. Beyoncé wore Andre’s “Miami” collection—a rimless, Cuban chain-detailed design with photophonic lenses—on stage.

“She asked for two of each colour. That was big.”

Now based in Dubai, Andre is not just designing from here—he’s planning to build here.

“My dream is to open my own factory in the UAE,” he says. “Somewhere in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. A space to manufacture lenses, frames, accessories, and to supply my own shops.”

A physical store, too? In an era of online retail?

“Yes. Pop-ups showed me how much people want to touch, try, and hear the story. A website can’t do that. My goal is to have a space here, in Paris, and in the US.”

Dubai, he says, gave him the freedom and energy to think globally. “Most of my American VIP clients visit here. If they want to see the collection, I bring it to them personally. It’s a luxury experience.”

Despite his celebrity clientele, Andre doesn’t chase fame. “I design based on feeling. I don’t follow trends. Sometimes I see a coral reef or a butterfly, and that becomes a pair of glasses.”

His new designs—The Jaguar, The Snake, and The Crocodile—took over a year to perfect. “Some styles take 100 sketches. But I don’t mind the struggle. Usually, the designs that give me the biggest headache turn out to be the most successful.”

He doesn’t believe in mass production. “All my collections are micro. If I sell out, that’s it. I don’t re-release. I move on to the next idea.”

Andre’s eyewear is also technically complex. “I design my own moulds. The factory is often surprised, but it helps them understand exactly what I want.”

As for artificial intelligence taking over design?

“I’ve tried it. It’s not ready. AI can suggest shapes, but not designs that can actually be manufactured. It doesn’t understand real-world constraints. Not yet, anyway.”

Andre isn’t chasing virality. He’s building something enduring. “My eyewear isn’t just fashion. It’s about confidence. It’s like a tailored suit. When someone puts them on, they feel good.”

Dubai, with its bold fashion culture and global connectivity, has become the perfect base for that philosophy. “People here, like everywhere else now, are looking for something more unique. They’re tired of fast fashion.”

What’s next?

“Opening a UAE-based factory. Expanding to more global stores. More bespoke collaborations,” he says. “And of course—continuing to design what I love.”