Michel Atlan was born and raised in Lyon, France, where his creative path began at an early age through the artistry of fine woodworking. Drawn to craftsmanship and detail, he trained under a renowned French ébéniste, becoming a standout pupil and mastering the foundations of precision cabinet making and design.

At twenty, he left France for Los Angeles to join his two older brothers, where he entered the world of fashion manufacturing. There, he helped establish and grow a successful garment business, developing a strong understanding of production, design, and the international fashion market.

After many years in the apparel industry, Michel returned to his first creative passion: fine woodworking. What began as a personal pursuit—crafting original French country furniture—quickly became recognized for its artistry and detail, attracting attention from designers, stylists, and creative figures throughout Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

This deep foundation in craftsmanship and design naturally evolved into the world of eyewear. In 2008, Michel Atlan launched his first eyewear project, Eye of the Beholder Eyewear, bringing his architectural sense of form and material into optical design.

In 2010, driven by a refined creative vision and an instinct for emerging eyewear trends, he founded his signature brand, The M Collection by Michel Atlan, a Los Angeles–based independent eyewear brand rooted in French design sensibility, sculptural aesthetics, and artisanal craftsmanship.

Today, the brand continues to develop distinctive designer optical frames and luxury acetate eyewear collections distributed through a curated network of independent optical boutiques worldwide