In the realm of design innovation, few stories are as compelling as that of Paloceras – a visionary eyewear brand born from the serendipitous collaboration of two creative minds, Alexis Perron-Corriveau and Mika Matikainen. Their journey is not just about crafting eyewear, but about challenging conventions, celebrating individual expression, and transforming objects into works of art that blur the lines between design, craftsmanship, and pure imagination.
Alexis Perron-Corriveau
Alexis, the Montreal-born Design Director based in Lisbon, brings his mastery of fine woodworking and product design to Paloceras. With a minimalist ethos, he fuses sleek aesthetics with ingenious, norm-defying concepts that breathe magic into his creations. When not crafting objects that captivate the imagination, Alexis jogs through Lisbon's cobblestoned streets, dreaming up his next iconic piece. His heart yearns for the snow-blanketed cross-country trails of his Canadian homeland, a constant inspiration that imbues his work with wonder.
Mika Matikainen
With over 20 years of experience, creative Director Mika brings his eye for detail to Paloceras from his base in Helsinki, where he orchestrates his boldest visions into compelling stories. A night owl and yoga enthusiast thriving on the finest details, his favourite treasures include his Japanese incense collection and a vintage Saab 900. Mika crafts his bold visions over Americanos — a cocktail that, like his creative approach, balances intensity with precision. 
Paloceras: A Creative Odyssey in Eyewear
Paloceras began as a creative experiment. Originating from shared conversations over hikes in the Swiss Alps and late-night brainstorms, founders Alexis and Mika sought to challenge the norms of eyewear with a focus on individuality, craftsmanship, and a hint of magic.
Their diverse backgrounds – Alexis's experience in fine woodworking and high-end craftsmanship, and Mika's journey from digital pioneer to physical design enthusiast – formed a distinctive creative synergy, and set a solid foundation for building something revolutionary.
Alexis: While hiking in the Alps and sharing Campari at Mika's place, we sensed something was missing in the industry. These conversations sparked an idea, and Paloceras was born.
Mika: What started as a digital design experiment revealed something larger: the need for a new kind of luxury. This led us to create the Pebble Collection, where sculptural acetate forms challenge conventional design. The overwhelming response to our vision, combined with our relentless pursuit of excellence, fuels our passion to keep pushing boundaries.
Alexis: We're creating something different that people connect with – something with quality, magic, and a hint of audacity. It's about bringing value while staying true to our vision, never sacrificing uniqueness for mass appeal. Each piece makes its own bold statement.
A Dance Between Minimalism and Boldness
Alexis and Mika’s creative synergy is rooted in their contrasting approaches. Alexis emphasizes minimalism and refined craftsmanship, while Mika infuses vibrant storytelling and intricate detail into their vision. This interplay of styles shapes designs that balance simplicity with bold artistic expression, resulting in eyewear that celebrates the unique, unexpected, and innovative..
Mika: The key lies in how we transform materials into something transcendent. Our branding weaves in elements of mystique and surrealism, creating pieces that stand apart through their unexpected nature.
Alexis: My design approach centers on minimalism – pure gestures, minimal components, and visual coherence. Our collaboration reveals the power of complementary perspectives: my pursuit of simplicity meets Mika's flair for the unexpected. This creative tension elevates each piece into pure poetry.
The Pebble Collection
The story of the Pebble collection began in Lisbon in 2023, where Mika and Alexis dedicated months to sketching, rendering, and experimenting to create something truly different. While their initial digital designs were striking, they proved challenging to bring into the physical world. The first prototype, meticulously crafted by hand, became their compass – each carefully considered detail revealing the possibilities that would shape their artistic vision.
Through meticulous refinement of every detail, from precise nose fit to ingenious layered acetate construction, they transformed their vision into wearable art. The Pebble Collection stands as more than eyewear, representing an elegant balance of design innovation, material mastery, and artistic vision.
Alexis: What truly sets us apart is our mastery of acetate materiality. While similar aesthetics in the market rely on injected plastic, we've achieved something distinctive through our innovative molding process. The Pebble's signature inflated forms, combined with the premium feel of acetate and precisely crafted curves, define an entirely new category in eyewear design.
Envisioning Tomorrow: Paloceras Unbounded
The road ahead for Paloceras is filled with possibility and potential. While many paths remain unexplored, Alexis and Mika’s visions remain clear.
Mika: Paloceras is fundamentally about defying expectations. Our mission is to surprise and delight those who initially believed in our brand, continually pushing creative boundaries.
Alexis: Paloceras is evolving beyond eyewear into a complete design universe. We envision a carefully curated collection of accessories and furniture pieces that share our bold creative spirit. Each object will be an expression of our distinctive approach to form, materiality and originality. Our next vision blends athleticism with elegance: an ultra-thin frame that transitions seamlessly from morning run to evening soirée. It's where movement flows into artistic poetry.
As Paloceras evolves, Alexis and Mika remain committed to their bold design philosophy. Their story proves that when vision and innovation converge, the result is nothing short of extraordinary – inviting us to see the world through a lens of boundless creativity.
