Glasses are more than just a necessity—they are an extension of your personal style, a tool for clarity, and a daily essential. Yet, despite their importance, most people struggle with keeping their lenses clean. Alpagota was born from a simple yet profound question: Why do so many people struggle with dirty glasses? And how to revolutionize the way we care for eyewear, transforming a mundane task into a refined self-care ritual. , Belgian founder Gaëtan Gaye explains
Text Anja Van Der Borght
Is the name Alpagota connected to your personal history?
GG: “Yes. My grandfather and great-grandfather were in the wool trade, and I grew up surrounded by wool-related imagery. I wanted a subtle tribute to my heritage without using my last name. Alpagota—a breed of sheep from Northern Italy—felt like the perfect fit. There was also a strategic aspect—Alpagota starts with an ‘A,’ ensuring it appears at the top of alphabetical lists. Since I always aimed for international expansion, I wanted a name that was easy to pronounce in multiple languages. Today, even our Japanese distributors find it easy to say!”
Do the Carré cloths contain wool?
GG: “No, but they are deeply connected to textiles. My journey started with a luxury watch-cleaning cloth, a patented Japanese textile originally designed for fine timepieces. Having worked at Corum and Jaeger-LeCoultre, I always carried one to clean my glasses. It worked so well that I started using it for friends, which sparked the idea for Alpagota.”
Is it a microfiber textile?
GG: “Yes, but a superior version. I sourced the highest-quality material and named it Silktech™, as it’s soft as silk yet incredibly effective. Compared to regular microfiber cloths, Silktech™ features an extremely high concentration of ultra-fine filaments, making it exceptionally effective at absorbing dirt and oil while remaining incredibly soft. Its non-abrasive texture ensures a scratch-free cleaning experience, preserving the integrity of delicate surfaces. Additionally, Silktech™ is far more efficient, delivering superior cleaning results with fewer swipes, making eyewear maintenance effortless and precise.”
Is it denser than a regular eyewear microfiber cloth?
GG: “Absolutely. The watch industry invests in ultra-premium materials to protect timepieces worth thousands of euros, while the eyewear industry has settled for cheap accessories. With Alpagota, I brought watch-quality care to eyewear, setting a new standard.”
Can it be washed?
GG: “Yes! Machine wash at 30°C, preferably cold, without mixing colors. Care instructions are included on packaging and our website. Sustainability is key at Alpagota. The eyewear industry discards over 1 billion disposable wipes yearly, creating massive waste. Our washable cloths and refillable glass bottles offer a premium, eco-conscious alternative. Today, sustainability isn’t optional—it’s essential. The journey of Alpagota is deeply personal. Coming from a family with strong ties to the wool industry, the founder wanted to honor this heritage subtly. Inspired by his grandfather, who wore a signet ring featuring a sheep and surrounded himself with wool-related art, he sought a meaningful connection to his roots. This led to the choice of Alpagota, a breed of sheep from Northern Italy.”
Vision – Premium Lens Cleaner & Protector
Designed to restore brilliance and provide long-lasting lens protection, Vision is formulated with anti-static and anti-smudge technology, creating a barrier that repels dust and fingerprints. Its luxurious composition includes premium fragrances, transforming eyewear care into a sensory ritual.
- Vision °I – Sandalwood & Matcha (floral, green, woody)
- Vision °II – Eucalyptus & Patchouli (fresh, herbal, amber)
- Vision °III – Green Mandarin & Cedarwood (woody, amber, citrus)
Carré – The Ultimate Luxury Microfiber Cloth
Crafted from Silktech™, this patented Japanese fabric was developed for haute horlogerie and is now redefining eyewear care. With its extremely dense microfilament structure, it absorbs impurities effortlessly while maintaining an ultra-soft, non-abrasive touch.
- Carré °I – Apricot / Red / Indigo
- Carré °II – Blue / Cream / Anthracite
- Carré °III – Bordeaux / Blue / Orange
30x30cm €49
30x30cm €49
Sustainability: A Conscious Approach to Eyewear Care
At Alpagota, luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. The eyewear industry discards over one billion disposable lens wipes each year, creating immense waste. Unlike single-use alcohol wipes, Alpagota products are designed for longevity.
- Reusable & Washable: Carré cloths can be machine-washed at 30°C, ensuring sustainable, long-term use.
- Refillable Bottles: Vision’s elegant glass bottles are refillable, reducing plastic waste without compromising on aesthetics.
- Eco-Conscious Manufacturing: Every step of Alpagota’s production process is designed to be environmentally responsible without sacrificing quality.
Alpagota is available at select premium opticians and online at alpagota.com
