Whether worn out of fashion or necessity, finding the perfect pair of glasses can be tricky.

However, two Glasgow entrepreneurs are hoping to change all that with their new business, IOLLA.

The firm specialises in designing affordable glasses for fashion conscious folk, and prides itself on making all of its specs in Scotland.

Stefan Hunter and Brian McGuire came up with the idea for IOLLA, which means ‘to see’ in Gaelic, while working together on a university project.

Brian, who has over 20 years experience in the eyewear world, said: “We met through a university project, struck a synergy and quickly flipped the short-term project into a business to create IOLLA.

“Most optical companies and shops sell their products at incredibly high prices and offer deals that don’t actually add any value. IOLLA offers an alternative. We believe buying glasses should be easy and fun and the plan is to provide great quality glasses at £65.

“I think the time is right for a new way to buy eyewear and to challenge the established brands and monopolies.”

In a break from traditional, IOLLA does not offer eye tests, believing it would interfere with the company’s no pressure to buy mantra. Instead the would-be eyewear revolutionary has focused on designing glasses that appeal to and meet the needs of spec lovers.

Stefan, a Strathclyde University graduate, said: “We want to create a brand that champions simplicity, transparency and honesty, and revolutionise the way people buy prescription eyewear and sunglasses.

“Before opening our first showroom we spent over 18 months testing and developing the concept wherever and whenever we could. Popping up in someone’s office or living room to show them our product became all too familiar! At the same time we were also busy flying all over the world in search of the best components and materials to make our eyewear.

“We want to personalise buying glasses again and make people look good and feel great.”

All of IOLLA’s glasses are designed by Stefan himself, with each style being named after an important person in Scottish history.

The firm is keen to champion local talent, recently employing a Glasgow School of Art graduate to help with designs for their new collection and working with manufacturing laboratories in the city to create their glasses.

Stefan said: “I designed our first collection of eyewear through extensive trend research and testing. Each and every design goes through at least three stages of prototyping before the customer ever sees it.

“We named our frames after famous Scots because we want to honour some of the incredible contributions Scots have made to the world. Creativity in Scotland has always been prominent and we can’t emphasise enough how important local people are for IOLLA.”

Despite being predominantly an online company, IOLLA has now opened its first showroom in Glasgow’s trendy Finnieston strip.

The concept showroom, which includes a coffee bar, allows customers to try on all of the designs in IOLLA’s range and get their glasses properly fitted once they arrive.

Brian said: “The showroom is the cornerstone of the IOLLA plan, it’s the place where people can see our products and try our glasses on before buying online. The space we’ve created has been designed to create a comfortable and relaxed environment for trying on frames.

“Finnieston is the perfect location for IOLLA because of its quirky and friendly atmosphere. It’s packed with independent business and we love that, unlike other shopping streets, that aren’t many big corporations.”

The pair hope their unique approach will take the pain out buying glasses and have plans to expand in the future.

Stefan said: “For us it’s about getting IOLLA in front of as many people as possible and looking after every customer as if they are our first.

“In the future, we want to set up IOLLA showrooms in other cities in Scotland and eventually south of the border. Our motto is to think global but act local.”