The RPG (Regulation Prescription Glasses) is a Lowercase x Knickerbocker collaboration that developed out of inspiration from the Brooklyn Army Terminal, where Lowercase makes all of their frames. Working out of a repurposed military supply base has always provided for inspiration but nothing as direct as the RPG frames they developed with KFMG.
The RPG is inspired by the standard issue optical frame for new military recruits that dates back to WWII. The frames have seen multiple iterations over the years, but we drew particular inspiration from the late 1970’s model. We exaggerated the shape to make it slightly more modern, but maintained the integrity from 40 years ago. The original frame was made of a translucent amber acetate and we pay homage to that colorway by using a dark tortoise with amber accents throughout the pattern.