From vision to life: Pebble's story

Behind every pair of Pebbles lies a story of experimentation, craftsmanship, and bold design choices. The journey of the collection began in Lisbon, where Paloceras Design Director Alexis Perron-Corriveau and Creative Director Mika Matikainen set out to create something extraordinary.

Spring 2023: a vision takes root

The collaboration started with an ambitious goal: design eyewear that would stand apart from everything else in the market. Working from a small ceramic studio in studio in Lisbon's oldest neighborhood Mouraria, the duo began exploring unconventional design techniques.

Alexis: ​​”We started experimenting with Blender's physics simulation tool called Metaballs – shapes that morph and blend when they collide. This allowed us to create unique, rounded geometry with intricate negative spaces.”

Mika: ”Our initial digital sketches looked incredible, although they weren’t wearable at all. But the idea was definitely there!”

October 2023: prototyping the impossible

Transforming digital concepts into wearable art was a pivotal moment for the collection. Collaborating with an experienced eyewear craftsman, the first handmade prototype brought the bold designs to life, while highlighting areas for improvement.

Alexis: ”The initial Pebble prototype opened our eyes to new possibilities. Each iteration after that was a dance between artistic vision and wearable product.”

Mika: ”The eye holes of the prototype were small. There were three transparent layers of acetate, so if you used those sunglasses in direct sunlight, you got a lot of sun into your eyes. Hardly ideal for eyewear meant to provide protection!”

Alexis: ”Despite the challenges, handcrafting the first prototype was really helpful. It showed us exactly what needed refining for the final model. And even today, you can still see that similarity when seeing the current Pebble side by side with the original handcrafted piece.”

December-January 2023: refining the vision

Months of meticulous adjustments followed – iterations on digital renderings, samples , and adjusting technical drawings for the manufacturing process.

Alexis: ”We wanted everything to be perfect, which required a lot of back-and-forth. Working with Mika brought a fresh perspective to my process. While my approach centers on minimalism – pure gestures and essential components – Mika brings a more ornamental, flamboyant vision. This creative tension transforms simplicity into bold artistic expression, celebrating individuality and innovation.”

Spring 2024

Once the technical foundation was set, our color journey began. At its heart, Paloceras crafts unique pieces of bold character and unique aura. Each frame embodies magical and playful design with meticulous attention to quality – demanding a palette equally mesmerizing.

Alexis: ”I remember sitting in the studio, surrounded by raw materials – acetate chips, lenses, prototypes, and various samples. Often, I would close my laptop and simply immerse myself in the physical components, arranging and examining them, letting the composition reveal itself organically. After months of exploration and refinement, watching our vision transform from paper to reality was pure magic. Then production began – and things got real.”

September 2024

In September 2024, the Pebble Collection made its global debut, with pieces shipping all over the world to destinations from New Zealand to Sweden. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Alexis: ”I was amazed by how people connected with our work. There's something magical about creating pieces that speak to like-minded dreamers.”

Mika: ”Paloceras is about defying expectations. We're not just creating sunglasses – we're building a comprehensive experience that extends beyond eyewear. Our creations connect people to something extraordinary, and the enthusiasm we’ve received fuels our drive to keep innovating.”

Shop the Pebble collection.