Eyestylist

Framed Ewe: a sensational make-over in Los Angeles and Phoenix

6th December 2024

The LA-based designer Adi Goodrich has reimagined “more than just an interior” for the US eyewear retailer

Celebrated designer Adi Goodrich introduces two refreshingly cool store designs for US independent eyewear retailer, Framed Ewe. Goodrich’s re-designs mark a significant evolution for the brand as it celebrates 10-years. Encompassing two stores with bespoke furniture, lighting, and fixtures, the designer’s work even extends to a refreshed wordmark and logo. This multifaceted approach blends Goodrich’s signature playful aesthetic with Art Deco inspiration to create a timeless and exciting retail experience.

Goodrich’s relationship with Framed Ewe began in 2023 with a simple request to address the lack of foot traffic in the retailer’s Los Angeles store. Owner Christy Kimball asked Goodrich to re-design the facade of their Los Feliz storefront and Goodrich embraced the opportunity. The end result was a new eyeglass-shaped window display, a porcelain-tiled facade in a striking olive hue, and a complete reimagining of the brand’s graphic design identity. Inspired by the shop’s Art Deco architecture and eyewear itself, Goodrich incorporated rounded forms, geometric patterns, and timeless materials into her design. Above: Framed Ewe facade, Los Angeles – photo by Ye Rin Mok

Framed Ewe, Los Angeles: Goodrich has incorporated rounded forms, geometric patterns, and timeless materials – photo by Ye Rin Mok

The success of the Los Feliz project continued when Framed Ewe asked Goodrich to do a full store overhaul for their Phoenix flagship. Both locations feature a striking black and cream checkerboard patterned storefront, a playful nod to the zig-zag Art Deco era. Inside the Phoenix flagship, Goodrich used warm cherry wood tones and playful terrazzo accents to create an inviting atmosphere that transcends fleeting trends.

Framed Ewe, Phoenix – photo by Erik Benjamins

“My goal was to infuse the space with a sense of history while keeping it slightly unexpected,” says Goodrich. “The interior design honors Framed Ewe’s history of selling quality designer eyewear.”

LOFT NYC - chelsea industrial chelsea factory march 13-15 New York

Goodrich’s signature use of contrasting colors and materials adds a touch of whimsy. A 16-foot acidic violet upholstered fitting station anchors the store and provides a vibrant counterpoint to the cherrywood. Concrete Collaborative’s Night Palm x Lolita terrazzo countertops add a contemporary twist, while a 25-foot wooden dimensional mural by Goodrich runs along the length of the shop.

Interior of Framed Ewe, Phoenix – photo by Erik Benjamins

The Framed Ewe Phoenix flagship illustrates Goodrich’s ability to design narratively driven spaces that are both beautiful and highly functional. Both stores embody the brand’s playfulness in an inviting space for customers to discover their next set of adventurous specs.

Find out more at www.framedewe.com / www.adigoodrich.com

Photography credits: interior photography of Framed Ewe, Phoenix: Erik Benjamins / Exterior photography, Los Angeles store by Ye Rin Mok

Design & Inspiration

Gift guide: 6 unique gift ideas for eyewear aficionados

3rd December 2024

This year, our gift guide is curated by a team of three : Elena Serrano Pelaez from Optica Rosal21, an independent boutique in Northern Spain – Kayla Heersink of @opticali_style, independent and vintage eyewear enthusiast, from the US, and Clodagh Norton, Eyestylist.com in the UK…these are some very special gift choices with lasting appeal for anyone who loves eyewear and design… …..

1. Xavier Derome jewellery, selected by Elena @opticarosal21

Jewellery pieces, including rings, earrings and bracelets produced in elegant pieces of unused acetate that would otherwise go to waste. The statement designs are brightly coloured and very intriguing with much individuality in the colours and combinations. Handmade in Sologne in France, Derome is a well known designer in the eyewear business in France and continues to create a line of timeless acetate glasses as well as these jewellery items, made from remaining parts.

“Unique design and commitment to sustainability: for over 15 years, Xavier Derome has been creating jewellery using acetate from his frames, a material that would otherwise go discarded…the collection includes rings, bracelets and necklaces, crafted to last a lifetime….I love that these pieces are also available in the Pompidou museum store in Paris!”

Above: Xavier Derome jewellery, made in France

For details visit www.xavierderome.com

2. The Eyeglass Case by @animalhandmade, selected by @opticali_style

A lightweight embossed leather eyewear case from a small independent label specialising in handcrafted products – made in the US. The case has a natural Alran goat lining.

“I chose this because they are handmade by a local Colorado woman whose work I constantly obsess over…the design is full of whimsy and delight, and the neon colour makes it easy to spot in your bag….”

Find out more at https://animalhandmade.com

3. Diffuser Tokyo – chains + retainers, selected by @eyestylistmagazine

Diffuser Tokyo specialises in high-quality accessories and handmade glasses chains and cords. Their beautiful silk cords are made in Kyoto in Japan using a traditional artisan method called “Kasuri-zome” – a traditional dip-dying technique involving multiple stages, all of which are done by hand to achieve the final result. For the cords, the process for the colours involves dyeing two different colours at both ends – at the centre they overlap to create the beautiful effect of graduated colour.

“This collection is our go-to at Eyestylist.com for artisan eyewear accessories. These artisan cords are completely original and the traditional technique used to create the colours is quite impressive…..of course it’s always useful to have a cord for your frame to keep it safe and close by…” Find these pieces and more at www.diffuser-tokyo.com

4. Vintage Eyewear Style by Takano Fujii – published by Schiffer Books, selected by @eyestylistmagazine

This is a beautiful new and exclusive coffee table book that all eyewear lovers should take a peek at! It would be a lovely gift for a stocking! Published by Schiffer Publishing, at $29.99 (soft cover edition), the book offers a comprehensive visual survey of currently available vintage eyewear from the 1920s to the 1990s. Find out more about how to purchase on these links – https://a.co/d/6hjpMKo and https://schifferbooks.com/products/vintage-eyewear-style

5. A vintage frame, selected by Elena @opticarosal21

This vintage frame from theo comes from their special archive of frames from past decades, housed in the theo HQ in Antwerp…..the individuality and character of a vintage frame – and the opportunity to make good use of a design piece that has a special history makes a great idea for a sustainable gift that is totally unique for the connoisseur of eyewear – everyone should have at least one vintage frame in their eyewear collection!

“This is all about gifting a piece of history! A piece of that legacy that every eyewear enthusiast dreams of having in their collection, whether displayed in a showcase or worn on special occasions…the original energy of Hoet and Wim, the creators at theo at the time, lives on, in every design!”

www.theo.be

6. Wujic Jo “Motor Collection”, selected by @opticali_style

Wujic Jo “Motor Collection” takes us back to the fun of building models from a kit, complete with stickers and engine nosepads. You can convert the frame back and forth from ‘naked’ to fully built with acetate ‘bikini’, depending on the look you want for the day. Designed in Belgium, the kit features a 100% titanium frame with Takiron acetate and CR-39 lens with anti-reflective coating.

“This kit evokes the childlike Christmas morning excitement of putting together a new toy and the endless hours of play that will ensure…”

Ready to assemble! Find out more here: https://wujicjo.com

For more information, about the eyewear enthusiasts behind this curated gift guide follow us all on Instagram: @opticali_style – @eyestylistmagazine – @opticarosal21

Design & Inspiration

Drop Drop Drop by Cleto Munari Eyewear

2nd December 2024

A splendid interpretation of original style in eyewear, Drop Drop Drop by Cleto Munari Eyewear launched in Paris in September and was presented at Punto Ottica Humaneyes at an event attended by the designer in Italy in November. The collection explores the consistency of cellulose acetate: using bi-layer plates, Munari creates a contrast between the hard-edged and the very soft to the point of making it seem liquid. Above: Drop Drop Drop is a striking and colourful collection in fine acetate

“The technical challenge involves the achievement of sharp-edged surfaces alongside surfaces that are so smoothed and rounded as to apparently give the acetate the characteristics of a highly deformable material,” Cleto Munari’s design team explains. “The spectrum between sharp-edged and very soft is manifested in the chromatic contrasts: once again, colour is fundamental in Cleto Munari’s composition.”

This new collection from the Italian designer is composed of seven shapes: five optical frames in five colour variations, and two sunglasses in five colour variations. It is produced in Montecchio Maggiore, Vicenza, Italy by skilled artisans trained as goldsmiths. Each frame is the result of fine manufacture and a process that gives value to traditional craftsmanship and individual expression through quality, colour and style. Find out more : www.cletomunarieyewear.com

Boutiques

Optiker am Dom, Mainz

26th November 2024

Optiker am Dom is a newly refitted store in Mainz, Germany – with an impressive interior, designed to feel modern and welcoming

Located in Mainz in Germany, Optiker am Dom was first founded many decades ago; in March 2013 the current owners took it over. “The state capital of Rheinland Pfalz with just over 200,000 inhabitants is very lively,” explains master optician/owner Angela Dürlich. “Our location is in the shadow of the cathedral with lots of life, the weekly market, carnival, a love of wine in the region and many festivals right in front of our 13m-wide shop window. When we took over the shop originally in 2013, we completely redesigned it. We designed it with my father (a carpenter), we brought more light into the interior, and a long oak table was created for a feel-good atmosphere; we added light colours and wood to make it inviting for everyone.”

In 2013, the store started out with a team of three, the optician owners, Angela and David Dürlich and one employee. “David and I met at the master’s school in Cologne,” says Angela…”we gained experience after the exam and in 2012 we wanted to use that in our own shop. We took over the optician in Mainz with one employee, Ms. Karin Peyk, a state-certified optician and master optician. Over the years we have been able to grow steadily and our team has expanded to include many wonderful colleagues.” Above: Optiker am Dom interior: everything has been taken into account, from the design of the eye test area to the frame displays. The store features large open glass elements, natural oak, and furniture that has been thought through right down to the last detail; the appearance from the outside was designed to “arouse curiosity”

Stunning interior details at Optiker am Dom

In 2024, the store has been refitted and redesigned for the second time. “We worked with Möbel und Raum from the Odenwald. (https://moebelundraum.de/). “We very much wanted the cozy feeling of our store to be retained, and to make sure it was a welcoming place to come into; it’s also ideal to invite people to stay a while, so we created a proper area for serving coffee right in the entrance, and integrated a fridge full of wine – which makes it possible to drink a good, cozy glass of wine at the weekend. A sofa was designed in the shop window, each shop window was framed in warm oak.” Interesting materials and fabrics create a particular style in the store. “The contrasting surfaces include thick corduroy, warm stone and matt wood. All these things contribute to the pleasant living-room feeling that you experience as soon as you enter. The right decoration and the smell of delicious coffee do the rest!”

Optiker am Dom specialises in independent labels which currently include Andy Wolf, HUG, Coblens, Ahlem, Lazare Studio and many more. They choose to work with eyewear designers who take care about their materials and design language and are passionate about the subject of glasses. Quality is always a key factor: “We want to maintain quality at a time when more and more chain stores are setting up shop in cities. “In terms of the work we do, I suppose it’s not just about having a feel for the right glasses, but also about understanding the character of the person. We will find you a favourite pair of glasses through our passion, enthusiasm and honest approach. A precise high-quality eye examination and high-quality service also for the lenses are a matter of course for us”.

Asked about their goals going forward for 2025, Angela and David Dürlich continue to focus on quality and their professional service: “We are always aiming to maintain our high level of quality and customer care, and to continue to give our customers professional advice. Our goal is not to retain as many customers as possible, but to accompany and be there for our customers over a long period of time. If they recommend us because they are satisfied with the advice and the products, the comfort and the atmosphere we provide, then all the better!”

Optiker am Dom, Liebfrauenplatz 10, 55116 Mainz, Germany – www.optikeramdom.de

Design & Inspiration

Book review: Vintage Eyewear Style: 1920s – 1990s

22nd November 2024

A new book published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. goes on sale on 28th November 2024 – the book is a comprehensive visual survey of currently available vintage eyewear dating from the 1920s to the 1990s by Takano Fujii

The new elegant paperback, which is presented as a compendium of fine and rare vintage designs, describes the selected pieces, period by period. The author interviewed vintage-eyeglass shop staff and owners in Japan and online, and eventually selected 131 vintage and valuable frames from the stores. Each one has been photographed and presented at full size – making it possible to appreciate the smallest details; with the exception of just a handful, these special pieces can be seen in person and even purchased via the stores.

The Introduction presents the focus of the selection: “Every frame is one of a kind and has a certain aura about it, and the historical fact that they were made from 25 years to a century ago is tantalizing. In an age when it is easy to buy reasonably good-quality eyewear, choosing a vintage piece for your very own “special” look is a decadent pleasure….”

A visual treat for vintage eyewear enthusiasts: Vintage Eyewear Style is out next week

Highlights we enjoyed seeing close to included the Madison model from American Optical, dating back to the 1920s and featuring a 10k white-gold filled ‘near-square’ octagon shape and impressive engraving. Among vintage icons such as Silhouette’s FUTURA and Oliver Goldsmith’s Koko, the selection also includes early Oliver Peoples’ and LINDBERG frames and a Jean-Paul Gaultier 1990s masterpiece inspired by the Eiffel Tower.

1970s Photo: RENAULD 1970s, France / Aluminum – image provided by courtesy of Schiffer Publishing

The author has written a brief history of eyewear for the introduction as well as including an informative summary about frame parts, materials and the most common vintage eyewear shapes. A commentary about the production of of glasses in Fukui Prefecture, Japan also makes very interesting reading.

Fujii sourced the frames featured in the book via prestigious eyewear stores which include Solakzade, Globe Specs and blinc (Japan) and www.vintageframescompany.com and others online.

About the author: Author Takano Fujii comes into contact with more than 1,000 pairs of glasses a year and writes articles on eyewear and related factories, and product introductions in Japan and abroad.

To purchase Vintage Eyewear Style, from 28th November, visit https://a.co/d/6hjpMKo / and/or

https://schifferbooks.com/products/vintage-eyewear-style

Book review: Vintage Eyewear Style: 1920s – 1990s

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Eyestylist

Framed Ewe: a sensational make-over in Los Angeles and Phoenix

Gift guide: 6 unique gift ideas for eyewear aficionados

Drop Drop Drop by Cleto Munari Eyewear

Optiker am Dom, Mainz

Book review: Vintage Eyewear Style: 1920s – 1990s