People of Style — Franco Vahe

He is a talented jeweller and optician, whose renowned diamond-encrusted, colourful Luxuriator frames have graced the faces of celebrities such as Denzel Washington, Beyonce, Paula Abdul, Sharon Stone, Martin Lawrence, and Andy Garcia. He is Franco Vahe, more commonly known simply as Franco. “Just like Madonna and Bono,” he jokes.

Eye-catching and exquisite, his brand Luxuriator has become quite popular since its inception in 2004. Designing every piece himself, Franco uses lavish colour combinations and flawless jewels to ensure that each pair of sunglasses is unlike any other. As Franco puts it, “Diamonds are diamonds, gold is gold, but that’s not enough.”

With prices ranging from $5,000 to $65,000, and a pair for $95,000 in the works – Luxuriator is a hot commodity. Franco says that his famous frames help bring out the personal style of everyone who wears them. “Every individual should have his or her own style,” he says. “All that means is that you have something artistic or creative in you that no one else has.”

Despite his tremendous success, a career in design was not always Franco’s intention. As a young child growing up in Lebanon, Franco had dreams of becoming a professional musician. “I’ve never taken one lesson in my life but I can play any instrument,” he says. “It’s an inborn talent.” His school even offered to pay for music lessons in an academy, but his parents were afraid to let him go so far from home. “I always used to blame them for [my] not becoming a great musician, but it all worked out … I’m not complaining,” he laughs.

Today, Franco uses this love of music as a source of inspiration. And although Franco appreciates all forms of music, it is the techno and glam metal of the ‘80s that speaks to him most. “My favourite bands are Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and Tears for Fears,” he reveals. “Oh, and I love Madonna!”

Luckily, Franco’s business has given him the opportunity to meet his musical idols, not to mention a long list of other stars. His optical store, Franco Inc., always had celebrity clients, but it was after creating his very first pair of Luxuriators for actress Pauletta Washington four years ago that Franco had Hollywood’s brightest knocking on his door. And although Franco appreciates the support, he believes that all of his clients are equal. “To me, everyone who appreciates my brand is a celebrity,” he says.

This humility extends to all sectors of his life, as Franco is a devoted father, and often donates his time and resources to various charities, including Music for a Cure, a foundation that helps bring music to critically ill children. “I would love one day to bring together the top designers to design a collection and donate the profits to charity … Not for our ego or our pockets, but for the world,” he shares. “Just like Michael Jackson did with [the song] “We Are the World,” he says with humour.

With so much to be thankful for, Franco says that he is already living la dolce vita. “I’m still very young and I have a healthy business, so I’m thrilled and I thank God for what I have, what I’ve done, and for what’s coming.” However, Vahe reveals that there is one more key to the sweet life: “You have to be in love, because when you’re in love, everything seems much sweeter.”

Dolce: What’s your favourite city?
Franco: Los Angeles

Dolce: What’s your favorite TV show?
Franco: National Geographic

Dolce: Favorite comfort food?
Franco: Sushi and steak

Dolce: What car do you drive?
Franco: Aston Martin

Dolce: What is your next travel destination?
Franco: Paris

www.luxuriator.com