Boutiques

Gilna Opticians, Clontarf, Dublin

23rd February 2021

Located in a North Dublin suburb by the sea, newly opened Gilna Opticians is modern, stylish and on-trend

Every aspect of the store from bottom to top is modern, clean and trendy. Features include the herringbone flooring, a large banana leaf plant in the waiting area, exposed brick walls boasting a selection of stunningly displayed frames and a ‘centrepiece’ of glass display boxes running from the front to the back of the room. High class brands such as DITA, Oliver Peoples and Tom Ford are just a few of the featured collections that had an initial impact on our overall reception of the space.

Sunglass wall with exposed brick at GILNA Opticians

An impressive, unique characteristic of this store – and of the GILNA group – is hidden in its origins. The first GILNA store was opened up by John F. Gilna in The Liberties; an area of Dublin that is widely regarded as the true root of the city, in 1951 on Thomas Street. Kevin Prendergast – the current owner of GILNA Opticians – told Eyestylist that staff from the nearby Guinness Brewery, as well as tradespeople from the surrounding area were amongst the many Dubliners to frequent the opticians back then. Kevin and his business partner Terence Scully took over the business in 2004 and their branch in The Liberties continues to welcome, as they put it, “a wonderful array of loyal, local and diverse clientele” to date. The pair followed with the opening of another GILNA Opticians in the IFSC and could not wait to get their hands on the unit on Vernon Avenue, Clontarf once it became available. After a visit to the store and in seeing what they have done with the place first hand, it is clear to see why.

100% Optical 28 FEB - 2 MAR 2026, Excel London

Details are a focus at this new contemporary eyewear store

Kevin outlined his intentions for the Clontarf store as “something that looked like it had always been there”. This underlined another unique aspect of this boutique’s design – its heritage. Across the store you can find original features of the building: exposed brickwork dating back to 1902, original patterns of brick that were once window arches and door frames as well as portraits of John F. Gilna and of The Liberties – dating back to the founding of the GILNA group in 1951 as mentioned. These splashes of authenticity combined with the stores immaculate interior design, the showcasing of the beautiful frames – lit up and displayed as though they were pieces of art in a museum – are some of the features that make GILNA a must visit boutique for any eyewear connoisseur, or history fanatic alike. For more information visit www.gilnaopticians.ie – GILNA Opticians, Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin

By Victoria G. L. Brunton

Boutiques

Angles de Vue, Geneva

8th February 2021

Bijoux store for glasses and accessories, in the heart of the city

With its vintage furniture, eclectic collections and colorful hats and bags decorating the walls makes Angles de Vue a special eye-catching destination. Set up by the young optician Olivier Novás in 2018, who completed his studies in Geneva in 2003, and then worked in a luxury opticians, the store has come to specialise in a personal and bespoke service for its neighbourhood whilst supporting local creators in Geneva, with space for fair trade design. Many of the accessory products are handcrafted and unique with simple silhouettes and lots of style, transcending time and trends, and created by local artists or artisans.

The boutique is located in the alternative neighborhood of Les Grottes in the centre of Geneva, next to the main station. The area is often described as colorful and bohemian, and features narrow streets, leafy squares and some small and creative artist’s studios, cafes, and second hand bookstores – as well as a popular local market. “My customers are local,” says Novás “but I also welcome many travellers from further afield who’ve heard about my personalized service and store. My regular customers recommend my work by word of mouth.”

A fun vintage feel interior: colorful accessories and eyewear at Angles du Vue – prices range from modest to luxury

Angles de Vue stocks exclusive creator’s eyewear brands sourced by the owner at international fairs such as MIDO, Silmo and Opti. Currently there are frames available by Eyepetizer, Brevno, Ross & Brown and For Art’s Sake. Accessory labels include Apesigned (face masks and other fabric accessories), Kar Noush (handmade fashion) and Maleiwa Aikat (bags).

“I find my inspiration in originality, quality, design and perfection,” says Olivier, who is a keen visitor of the fairs. When we asked him to share what he would most like in 2021 he said: “I hope that we can go to visit the international fairs again, to discover all the new creations.”

Angles de vue, Rue de la Faucille 6, 1201 Geneva

www.angles-de-vue.com

Boutiques

Frankly Glasses, Toronto + Kuboraum

2nd February 2021

Shop-in-shop experience with Kuboraum, Berlin

Berlin’s avantgarde label Kuboraum continues its shop-in-shop installation project in a new collaboration with a brand new store: Frankly Glasses, Toronto. The store specialises in handcrafted eyewear and limited editions, and has made a point of curating its collections with attention to high-calibre acetates, stainless steels and eco-friendly materials.

In this new presentation of the Kuboraum collection – in which they are exhibiting the largest selection of Kuboraum frames in Canada, a part of the shop, inside and out, has been completely taken over with bold and eye-catching art work designed by founders Livio Graziottin and Sergio Eusebi.

Frankly Glasses shop-in-shop for Kuboraum

In 2020, Kuboraum partnered with REWORKS120 in Seoul, South Korea for their first Shop-in-Shop Experience outside Germany. They have also worked with DSM Beijing to create their own in-store “branded” Kuboraum space.

Frankly Glasses is located in Queen Street West, a vibrant are of the city boasting a mix of boutiques, vintage stores and a lively food and cafe scene. The eyewear store opened on 2nd January 2021. Frankly Glasses, 1530 Queen Street West Toronto ON

For more information visit www.franklyglasses.com / www.kuboraum.com

Boutiques

EOE flagship, Stockholm

27th January 2021

For its flagship store in the city of Stockholm, sustainable eyewear brand EOE has created a serene and minimal EOE universe, inspired by the sparse nature of the northern terrains of Swedish Lapland. The new destination store is located on Mäster Samulesgatan 10, in the middle of Biblioteksstan, a busy and well-known area of the city, known for its many retail stores, among them several already specialising in eyewear.

“Coming to EOE should be like visiting a dear friend,” says co-founder Emilia Lindmark, who is as passionate about eyewear design as she is about her origins. “We will highlight creative talents from northern Sweden. One week this could mean an art exhibition with a sculptor from Norrbotten, next week a gig with a DJ with roots up north. Simply put, the store will be a piece of Norrland right in the middle of Stockholm.”

Interior: EoE Eyewear – the flagship opened in January 2021 – the walls are inspired by natural clay

The store concept is a natural extension of the sustainable EOE design philosophy; inspiration from nature with a distinct focus on material, form and detail: a blue table is inspired by a waterfall; the displays are made from travertine, inspired by the Swedish mountains.

About the brand: EOE Eyewear are specialists in sustainable eyewear. They produce frames which are recycled and recyclable. In 2019, the company was the first in the optical business to produce new frames from a material created out of old ones with the REGRIND collection. Find out more on Eyestylist at https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/03/exclusive-collection-eoe-eyewear-for-10th-anniversary/ The flagship store is located at Mäster Samulesgatan 10, Stockholm, Sweden www.eoe-eyewear.com

Boutiques

Tarian Atelier Tournelles, Paris – France

21st January 2021

Ceramics and eyewear by Jeremy Tarian in newly opened showroom in the Marais

“My new space plays with perspectives and revels in free associations,” says Jeremy Tarian, eyewear designer and passionate ceramicist who has created a multidisciplinary space to show both artistic collections. The Atelier opened at the beginning of 2021.

Located in the Marais quarter of Paris, this elegant historic building – l’Hotel de Melun – was built in the 17th century, and redesigned in 1780, and can be found on the famous historic Rue des Tournelles near Place des Vosges.

The showroom is designed both as a personal studio space and showroom to invite guests and buyers to view the collections. The interior features neutral colours, minimal furniture, open wall displays and glass-lined display cabinets with an ambiance that reflects the designer’s love for colour, design and raw materials.

Interior: displays of ceramics and award-winning eyewear at the new showroom

About the designer: Jeremy Tarian studied Finance, and then trained at New York’s Parsons School of Design, returning to his passion for all things creative for the development of his career. After gaining experience at the German eyewear company, ic! berlin he launched his own eyewear brand, Tarian, in 2011 followed by a ceramics line in 2018. Today he dedicates his time to both creative disciplines. 50 Rue des Tournelles, 75003 Paris, France www.tarian.paris / www.tarianatelier.paris