Page 24 - Envision-09-2022

Portrait of a Designer

By Evra Taylor

[ Anton Janssens ]
KOMONO: ounded in 2009 in Antwerp, Belgium

by a surprising pair – ex-professional
snowboarders Anton Janssens and
Raf Maes – Komono prides itself on
“Small Fbreaking with convention using a
fashion-forward edge.
For over four years the two friends travelled
the world as professional snowboarders, but
as the sport at that level became physically
Things” difficult, the pair decided to venture into

business, specifically, the accessories market.
Using their experience in retail from previous
jobs, in 2009, Janssens and Maes started
Komono. They began with watches, expanded
into sunglasses and, in 2016, launched their

Pack a unique take on optical frames.
The company name – Komono – is from the
Japanese word meaning, ‘a small item or small
things,” referring to the fact that they sell
eyewear accessories such as cords, as well as

Big watches and watch straps.
Janssens explains their unique selling
proposition: “We’re not afraid to go off the
beaten track. We push ourselves to bring
a glimpse of the future of eyewear to the
present, and we enjoy the excitement of that
Punch challenge.” Antwerp has long been heralded
as a hub of avant-garde fashion and Janssens
holds that this aesthetic sense, combined with
an insistence on high-quality, sustainable
materials and an affordable price point, are a
unique draw for customers.
[ KOMONO-X-RAFAA - Igor Dieryck - Black Gold KOMX90900 ]

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