In a world of mass-produced eyewear that prioritizes profit margins over personality, Sabine Be stands as a defiant celebration of color, craftsmanship, and individuality. Founded in 2014 by Sabine Bégault-Vagner — a French optician with 33 years of experience — this Orléans-based brand has rapidly become one of the most acclaimed independent eyewear houses in the world. [1]
At The Last Optical, we are proud to carry Sabine Be as one of our most distinctive designer collections. These are not frames you will find at chain stores or online discount retailers — they are handcrafted works of art that demand to be experienced in person. Here is the story behind the brand that is redefining what eyewear can be.
A Dream Deferred: The Origin Story
Sabine Bégault-Vagner was born into a family of opticians and doctors in Orléans, France. From childhood, she dreamed of becoming a designer and artist — but her family had other plans. Her father famously intercepted and discarded her admission letter to a prestigious design school in Tours, insisting she follow the family trade. [2]
So Sabine became an optician. For 33 years, she worked behind the counter — 25 of those years in her family's own optical shop. She fitted thousands of patients, learned what made frames comfortable and flattering, and developed an encyclopedic knowledge of materials, measurements, and manufacturing. All the while, the designer inside her waited. [1]
In 2009, Sabine lost her mother. The grief brought a clarity that decades of routine never could. "Life goes by really fast," she realized, "and it was time to follow my dream." [2] At 49 years old, Sabine Bégault-Vagner launched her own eyewear line — and the optical world has not been the same since.
The Name: Be Different, Be Yourself
The brand name itself is a statement. "Be" comes from the first two letters of Sabine's maiden name, Bégault — but it also carries the English meaning: to be, to exist, to become. The brand's philosophy is captured in its hashtag: #bedifferent. [1]
Even the logo tells a story. Look closely at any Sabine Be frame and you will notice two dots after the name — one round, one square. These represent the missing letters in "Bégault," forming an ellipsis that suggests there is always more to discover. This same round-and-square motif appears throughout the brand: one temple tip is round, the other is square. The rivets alternate between circles and squares. Even the custom cases feature spherical and cube-shaped clasps. [2]
It is a level of design intentionality that most eyewear brands never even consider — and it is what makes Sabine Be instantly recognizable to those who know.
The Craft: Handmade in France from Plant-Based Acetate
Every Sabine Be frame is manufactured in a renowned French factory using cellulose acetate — a durable, hypoallergenic bioplastic derived from plant cellulose (primarily cotton and wood pulp). Unlike petroleum-based plastics used in mass-market frames, cellulose acetate is biodegradable, can be polished to a jewel-like shine, and accepts color in ways that synthetic materials simply cannot match. [1]
The manufacturing process is painstaking. Multiple layers of differently colored acetate are laminated together under heat and pressure, creating unique color combinations that reveal themselves as the frame is shaped and polished. No two frames are exactly alike — the pattern that emerges depends on where the artisan cuts into the layered block. [1]
What sets Sabine Be apart from other acetate brands is the sheer audacity of the color choices. While most manufacturers play it safe with tortoiseshell, black, and navy, Sabine Be works with a palette that includes electric fuchsia, cobalt blue, lime green, deep purple, coral, and amber gold — often combined in the same frame. The result is eyewear that functions as jewelry, as art, as a declaration of personality. [1]
Sabine designs everything herself — not just the frames, but also the cases, chains, display stands, and even the logo. This total creative control ensures that every touchpoint of the brand experience feels cohesive and intentional. [2]
The Design Philosophy: Concept First, Frame Second
Most eyewear designers start by sketching a frame shape. Sabine does the opposite. She begins with a concept — an emotion, a cultural reference, a material experiment — and lets the frame emerge from that idea. Even more unusually, she designs the temples before the front of the frame, treating them as the primary canvas for artistic expression. [2]
This approach produces collections that feel like curated art exhibitions rather than product lines:
- Be Cat — Dramatic cat-eye silhouettes in jewel tones that channel mid-century Parisian glamour
- Be Swag — Bold, oversized round frames with sculptural temple designs that demand attention
- Be Confetti — Frames that appear "cut" into three pieces, filled with crystal confetti that catches the light
- Be Addict — A double inner-rim construction that creates depth and dimension
- Be Line — Double outer-rim design that frames the face with architectural precision
- Be Sleek — Refined, streamlined shapes for those who prefer subtle sophistication with a color twist
- Mini Be — A full children's collection, because Sabine believes kids deserve the same quality and creativity as adults
Each collection spans optical frames and sunglasses, available for men, women, and children. The range is deliberately broad — from classic shapes with unexpected color accents to avant-garde statement pieces that redefine what eyewear can be. [1]
Why Sabine Be at The Last Optical
Sabine Be is not available everywhere. The brand maintains a deliberately limited distribution network, partnering only with independent boutiques that share its commitment to quality, personal service, and curated selection. You will never find Sabine Be at a chain store or a big-box retailer — and that exclusivity is part of what makes the brand special. [1]
At The Last Optical, we carry Sabine Be because it perfectly embodies our philosophy: eyewear should be personal, exceptional, and joyful. Our founder Stacey Plank hand-selects each Sabine Be frame for our Montgomery, NY boutique, choosing colors and styles that complement our Hudson Valley clientele while offering something they simply cannot find anywhere else in the region.
When you try on a Sabine Be frame at our shop, you are not just choosing glasses — you are choosing a piece of French artistry that was handcrafted with decades of optical expertise and an artist's fearless approach to color. Our opticians will help you find the perfect frame for your face shape, skin tone, and personality, then fit it with premium lenses in your exact prescription.
The Sabine Be Experience
There is a reason Sabine Be has attracted a devoted following among fashion-forward eyewear enthusiasts, celebrities, and design professionals worldwide. These frames make people feel something. They spark conversations. They transform a routine trip to the optician into a moment of self-expression. [1]
As Sabine herself says, channeling Coco Chanel: "Elegance is when the inside is just as beautiful as the outside." [1] Her frames embody this philosophy — they are as beautifully constructed on the inside (with their layered acetate and precision hinges) as they are striking on the outside.
If you are ready to experience eyewear that is truly different — handcrafted in France, bursting with color, and designed by someone who spent 33 years understanding exactly what makes a great pair of glasses — we invite you to visit The Last Optical and try Sabine Be for yourself. Pull up a seat at the bar, let us pour you a drink, and discover why this French brand has captured the hearts of eyewear lovers around the world.
Sources:
- Sabine Be Official — sabinebe.com/en/about-me
- The Eye-Book — "A Chat with Sabine Be"