Jacques Marie Mage looks to eyewear worn by Muhammad Ali during two pivotal moments in his life for the limited-edition Kinshasa and Louisville, handcrafted in Japan in production runs as small as 25 pieces.
Few people have possessed the visual identity of Muhammad Ali. His presence extended beyond the boxing ring: the clothes, the expressions, the movement, and, at times, the eyewear.
For its Muhammad Ali by JMM collection, Jacques Marie Mage has gone back to two documented moments in Ali’s life and the glasses he wore during them. The result is a collection of two distinctly different frames, the Kinshasa and Louisville, each produced in six limited-edition colorways.
The Kinshasa
The Kinshasa takes its name from the city where Ali faced George Foreman in the legendary 1974 Rumble in the Jungle. Its design, however, reaches back several years earlier.
Jacques Marie Mage based the frame on glasses Ali wore during a 1968 press conference at UCLA, where he spoke about the cultural climate in America. The Kinshasa translates that reference into a substantial circular shape with a medium fit and a heavy acetate brow that gives the frame considerably more presence than its relatively restrained lens shape suggests.
Signature JMM arrowhead pins sit at the front, while the temples reveal custom wirecores engraved with fine Art Deco detailing. Seven-barrel block hinges and double-arrowhead temple rivets continue the metalwork through the sides of the frame.
There is an obvious vintage foundation to the Kinshasa, but the thickness, sculpting and hardware push it well beyond a simple reproduction of 1960s eyewear.
The Louisville
Where the Kinshasa is rounded and compact, the Louisville is wide, rectangular and considerably more assertive.
Named for Ali’s hometown, the frame is inspired by the glasses he wore outside the Federal Court in Houston on April 27, 1967, following his refusal to be inducted into the U.S. Army.
The Louisville carries a low, horizontal profile with a subtle wraparound effect. Its broad rectangular lenses sit inside a thick acetate front, while the slightly raised brow and squared end pieces emphasize the width of the frame.
Like the Kinshasa, it is handcrafted in Japan and fitted with engraved custom wirecores, seven-barrel block hinges and double-arrowhead temple rivets. The shared construction details connect the two models, but their silhouettes make them decidedly different interpretations of Ali’s eyewear.
Six Colorways, Twelve Limited Editions
Both frames are offered in the same six colorways: Sulfur, a transparent white acetate; Black Fade, transitioning from black into gray; Zoltar, rendered in brown; Agar, a classic tortoise; Noir, combining black and tortoise; and Shuffle, pairing black with burgundy.
Rather than producing each version in equal quantities, Jacques Marie Mage has assigned individual production runs to each frame and colorway. Edition sizes range from just 25 examples to 500, creating twelve separate limited editions across the two models.
Made to Be Collected
Each frame arrives in a black faux-leather monograph box set created specifically for the Muhammad Ali collection. Inside is a handcrafted Italian case, with JMM’s envelope case accompanying the Kinshasa and its monolith case accompanying the Louisville.
The set also includes an oversized cleaning cloth printed with an image of Ali during The Thrilla in Manila, along with a letterpress authenticity card containing collection notes and the craftsman’s signature.
At the time of writing, only four of the twelve Kinshasa and Louisville colorway combinations remain available, with the rest sold out.
That leaves a collection made up not simply of two frame designs, but twelve individually limited interpretations, with some produced in quantities small enough to number only a few dozen worldwide.
About Jacques Marie Mage
Jacques Marie Mage (JMM) is a luxury eyewear brand celebrated for meticulous craftsmanship, sophisticated design, and limited-edition releases. Founded by Jerome Mage in Los Angeles, JMM draws inspiration from a diverse range of cultural influences, blending art, history, and fashion to create timeless and refined eyewear. Each collection is thoughtfully designed, making every piece not just eyewear but a collectible work of art. The brand prides itself on using high-quality materials and employs traditional techniques to craft frames that stand out for their intricate detailing and superior finish. With a commitment to storytelling and artistic excellence, Jacques Marie Mage offers eyewear that appeals to collectors, connoisseurs, and anyone seeking to make a bold statement.
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About The Author:
Will Benjamin is an advocate for independent eyewear and one of the driving forces behind Project Spex. With a passion for unique, collectible, and limited-edition eyewear, Will aims to inspire people to build their own collections through Project Spex, while supporting the success of independent opticals.
