Boutiques

Julia Gogosha’s Echo Park flagship is just 2 years old. She describes it with a twinkle in her eye. “A Tetris cathedral artspace playground is how I imagined it…with different sources of inspiration, including artists, sculptors and works of art for which I am passionate.”

Curated with “the best of each category”, the boutique offers a mix of design-focused core collections such as theo and Anne & Valentin, and design brands offering a variation of price points including Kaleos from Barcelona. Two internationally successful homegrown collections – Ahlem and JacquesMarieMage – are represented alongside some of the most avantgarde designers of the moment, Rigards from Hong Kong, Masahiro Marayuma from Japan and Kuboraum from Berlin. Julia is also innovative in collaborations and events with designers and labels bringing where she can a fresh slant to how she presents them to her customers. Launching for Spring, she has a new project underway with Dom Vetro, an LA label specializing in made-to-order and fully customizable frames – and more collaborative concepts are coming soon.

For the current unprecedented situation, as the Coronavirus crisis affects businesses globally, we also talked about what this has entailed so far. In March, Gogosha was open for daily emergencies with one member of staff available in store to fulfil orders and attend to immediate needs such as repairs. The entire Gogosha team have also been providing virtual fittings during the lockdown from home. “We’ve been doing distance fitting appointments intuitively for years, mainly for longstanding clients who might have moved out of the area,” says Julia. “We will continue to adapt and streamline our services to deliver glasses right to the customer’s door. We consider vision essential and will continue to creatively pivot to best service our clients’ vision needs virtually and with a greater appreciation and greater focus on connection and conversation in a time of separation for the safety of humanity.”

Gogosha Optique, Echo Park was designed by John Chen of Formation Association. Gogosha first opened in 2008 in the former location of Silver Lake, east of Hollywood. Gogosha Optique is the winner of the Vision Expo Third Annual OPTImum Retail Award announced in April 2020. For previous articles on Gogosha on Eyestylist visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2017/05/gogosha-pop-2-0/ and https://www.eyestylist.com/2013/10/gogoshagoldsmith-shop-in-shop/

1555 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 – www.gogosha.com

An eyewear boutique setting trends in Krakow, Poland

A new generation of independent optical retailers is appearing in Poland, as young opticians develop a curiosity and passion for specialising in unique brands. In Krakow, Optyk Panski’s owner Pawel Szpytma established a new style of store in 2016, having taken over the family optical business in 2011. In 2019 the boutique which had moved to a location near Kazimierz and Podgorze, an historic, significant part of Krakow was developed with a contemporary architectural interior and a roster of exciting brands, which started with Tavat (from Italy) and AM Eyewear (from Australia).

Eyestylist met Pawel Szpytma in Munich in January, and we asked him what had inspired him to open a shop of this calibre: “I was always curious for something new. I really wanted to step up my knowledge and skills. After visiting international optical fairs and discovering many independent eyewear brands, I realized how much more there is to do. When it came to the design of the shop, the idea was to mix a loft look with modern design details. I wanted to create a place with a luxury touch where you can also feel comfortable and at ease. I did a few of the finishing touches myself – I wanted to have this personal bond with the place.”

Today alongside Tavat and AM, which have become hugely popular with local Krakow customers, the shop stocks Cazal, SALT. Optics, Matsuda, Moscot and Lesca. “I am still gaining knowledge all the time working closely with brands I admire,” says Pawel. “They have taught me a lot about production and materials. Quality always was important to me and always will be.”

Optyk Pański is located at sw. Kingi 8, Krakow Poland. The name of the shop represents a play on words. It means also “your” and “royal, manor” – representing a place where customer can experience a service above the normal level. Optyk Pański has also become known for their after hours openings for customers and events including exhibitions and Whisky tastings. www.optykpanski.pl

The independent store is showing an exhibition by talented young watercolorist, Pauline Bachel

‘Portraits v Self-Portraits’ is an exhibition created especially for the independent eyewear boutique, Les Belles Lunettes – located in Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean close to Madagascar. As admirers of the subtle and unique work of the artist, Les Belles Lunettes has selected Bachel as the muse and face of their new campaign. “We then asked her to interpret the images in the campaign in her own style,” explain Karine Chane Yin and Patrice Fuma Courtis, art directors for Les Belles Lunettes, who currently produce 4 campaigns for the store each year. “Portraits v Self-Portraits is a two-tiered experience for the artist : she is both the subject of a series of portrait photos, and then through the projection of her interior world in the form of self-portraits created after we had shot the campaign photos.” Art Direction / Photography / Styling : @kplusp_art_direction – (the works of art featured in the exhibition are available to purchase.)

Les Belles Lunettes is located in St Pierre, Réunion and stocks a selection of fine eyewear brands including Gamine NYC, Anne et Valentin, theo and Andy Wolf. Two further stores are in planning and will open on the island in the near future.

About the artist: Pauline Bachel studied applied Arts and Textile Design at the Lycee Ambroise Vollard, St Pierre, Réunion. Her first exhibition at ‘Cafe Social Club’ launched her career as an illustrator/artist and brought her recognition – with clients who include Apple. Inspired by the Creole culture, simple pleasures and travel, her beautiful works of art embody an idyllic tropical picture of nature with subtle references to a deeply personal focus on femininity.

34, Rue du Four à Chaux, St Pierre 97410, Réunion – Visit the website for more details: https://www.lesbelleslunettes.re/ – Campaign created by www.kplusp.com

Constrasting materiality with a refined finish at new practice, designed by Studio Edwards

Eyescan, Melbourne opens its new architect-designed store just next door to its well-known location on Toorak Road. The design, by award-winning practice Studio Edwards, presents an immersive and refined experience for the customer with a bold display of more than 300 frames throughout the distinguished contemporary retail space.

The interior makes use of existing raw brick work walls – in white – revealed to contrast with floating shelving. Blackened raw steel and walnut cabinetry form functional vertical frames supporting the shelves and highlight specific zones within the store. A walnut island display bench adds focus to the front of the store while to the rear, the ceiling is subtly angled downwards to define the waiting area and consulting rooms.

Eyescan offers a unique mix of fine eyewear brands ranging from the avantgarde styles by Lool Eyewear (Barcelona) to fine classics such as Persol, Moscot, Maui Jim and Garrett Leight. The Eyescan team is lead by Dr Harry Unger, ophthalmologist and Dr Natalie Savin, optometrist.

Eyescan, 467 Toorak Road, Toorak Victoria 3142 – www.eyescan.com.au – An architectural project by www.studio-edwards.com – built by Yarra Valley Commercial. Photography by Mike Baker