Boutiques

South Korea: reworks120, Seoul

18th November 2025

With a fastidious approach to presentation and customer experience, reworks120 is an exemplary independent optical boutique located in the heart of one of Seoul’s leading fashion districts – Eyestylist.com spoke with the founder/CEO, Sean Lee

First opened in 2019, in Garosu-gil, Gangnam, Seoul — in a well-known fashion district in the city, premium optical store reworks120 is a special find in this area that is also home to impressive flagship stores such as Gentle Monster. “The shop has an intentionally cozy and curated atmosphere,” Sean Lee told Eyestylist.com. “There are two floors, each designed with a different concept. The reason for this is that each brand we carry has its own unique identity, and we wanted the displays to reflect those individual concepts.” Above: interesting textured flooring with a “gravel” effect – one of the many contemporary design features at reworks120

reworks120, Seoul: an impressive interior where modern materials and their colours and textures create an artistic gallery space – the eyewear is displayed on clear glass

On the first floor, and a section of the second floor, the interior features cool tones and bright white lighting. As you move deeper inside the space, the mood changes completely. “This interior space has been created to offer a warmer atmosphere. For the flooring we used herringbone-style tiles with a wood texture to evoke a classic feel, while the display areas were made with solid wood materials to give a more premium impression compared to other sections. This space – located at the very back of the second floor is the space that I am particularly pleased with…”

SILMO Paris - The Optical Fair. 25th - 28th September 2026

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

Interior – a sophisticated hidden space within the space is luxurious and beautifully presented with natural wood floor, fitted storage and stunning orange lantern lights

Overall, the store offers a sensational, curated selection of frame collections that is immediately eye-catching and indicative of a very astute approach to frame buying. Sean explains it precisely: “We are always looking for and discovering new brands. In Korea, many stores carry a wide range of Japanese and Korean brands. However, we are particularly drawn to the creativity, colours, and design of European brands. That’s why we attend MIDO and SILMO every year.”

Consumer trends have shaped the concept and the particular curation that matches changing tastes in fashion and design. “We prefer the brands that are not easily found in Korea or unique designs within those brands. As a result, our customers have quite sophisticated tastes, and we cater to a diverse clientele, including doctors, celebrities, and business professionals.” The store has also recognised certain evolving trends amongst its audience. “With changes in the high-end market, it seems that our customers’ expectations have risen even higher, Sean says. “As with many high-end brands, they tend to prefer well-made eyewear produced in Japan. In recent years, European brands have also started using high-quality titanium and meticulously crafted materials from Japan, and this has slightly shifted the perception of European brands as well.”

Asked about other stores, Lee told us that reworks120 are also located in @boontheshop_official, a high-end concept store operated by the Shinsegae Group.

Find out more about reworks120 at the Instagram page : https://www.instagram.com/reworks120

Boutiques

French optical boutique: La Belle Vue Opticien, SW France

4th November 2025

The French optical and accessories store by Margaux Darrigade and Sophie Mailles brings fun, flair and personal sparkle to optical retailing

At La Belle Vue, choosing frames is an experience that is pleasurable, interactive and perfectly lovely. Here, you enter a pastel-toned world that the owners describe as inspired by California, “a mix of chill, lifestyle, and fashion under the South Western French sun”. Disco balls, pretty neon lights, quirky tubular seats and soft white swivel armchairs all come together in a fresh pastel-toned interior trimmed with light green and black leopard print drawers and soft, elegant satin curtains.

“We opened the store in May 2021, in the Pédebert park in Soorts-Hossegor,” says Margaux and Sophie with pride and excitement. “We have been opticians for 16 and 14 years respectively. We worked together in an optical shop for 8 years before becoming partners. Fun fact: Many people think we are sisters or even twins because we have a funny habit of dressing the same way – without meaning to!” Above: The co-owners, Margaux and Sophie – “La Belle Vue is our dream store. It’s just like us: sparkling, colourful, and whimsical!”

La Belle Vue – a gorgeous soft pastel interior features bright yellow and black tubular chairs and soft white upholstered swivel chairs: “We’ve stayed true to ourselves: we love glitter, leopard print, and colours…”

The store majors in eyewear, but also sells other items by local producers and creatives including clothing, bags, flowers, jewellery and vases. With a passion for really well-made eyewear, Margaux and Sophie have committed to the quality of the glasses they sell. “We have selected primarily eyewear brands which are crafted in France. Independent manufacturers have opened the doors of their factories to us in the Oyonnax region,” they told Eyestylist. “To complete our range and offer affordable options, we also partner with Spanish, Italian, and eco-responsible brands using innovative materials. Our favourite brands include Life Loft for its unique style, JPlus for its Italian design, and Albert I’mStein for its interplay of materials. We typically mix all brands in our displays, showcasing them according to their colour, shape, or style. We don’t sell a pair of glasses for its brand, but for the product itself.”

Displays of glasses encourage visitors to try things on – the interior is bold and full of spectacular details

“Our penchant for the whimsical is reflected in our frame selection too,” explain the owners, “but we haven’t forgotten timeless styles. Our strength lies in helping our clients discover new horizons while respecting their individuality.” The selection of frames is described as truly eclectic, so that everyone can find something they love at La Belle Vue.

The store has two mascots, Francis the leopard and Jacqueline, a “disco-ball” hen

Since Spring 2025, in collaboration with Demain, Sophie’s partner and a master eyewear maker, Margaux and Sophie have also designed their own eyewear collection. “Our frames are handcrafted just 3km from our store. We are committed to personally selecting our acetate sheets in the Jura region, the cradle of French eyewear. As you can imagine, our shapes and colours break the mold!”

82, avenue des couteliers, 40150 Soorts-Hossegor – France

www.labellevueopticien.com

Boutiques

Luxury retailing: Punto Ottico Humaneyes, Milan

28th October 2025

A new architectural project, a re-imagined luxury space

Punto Ottico Humaneyes has reopened in Milan following an extensive re-design. The 88 m² space has been reimagined with a new contemporary aesthetic, enhancing the functionality and efficiency of the interior and focusing on the customer, who is invited to experience a light and harmonious atmosphere.

Elegant and minimal, the interior features include fine oak panelling, delicate marble finishes, an eye-catching eyewear display made of lightweight painted steel with integrated LED strips and vertical mirrors, and luxurious leather armchairs by Flexform. From the advanced optometric service, enhanced by means of dedicated spaces – to the Tailor Made project, where scientific precision merges with Italian artisanal mastery to create bespoke eyewear: every detail is refined to offer an immersive journey. Above: the Punto Ottico Humaneyes store front in Piazza Filippo Meda – Milan

Interior: Milan store featuring luxury materials and a sophisticated architectural style

“Punto Ottico Humaneyes has always been a meeting point between ethics, aesthetic research, and eyewear culture. We’ve reimagined our spaces with a new architectural project, designed to enhance every moment of the in-store experience and give shape to our vision: a place where optometry and all our exclusive services can best express themselves,” Alice Concato, Head of Coordination and Development, Punto Ottico Humaneyes Stores

Punto Ottico Humaneyes: new eyewear displays present the frames as works of art

Punto Ottico Humaneyes celebrated the re-opening of the boutique with a programme of special events designed to showcase the in-store experience, including optometry & eyecare services, and its unique selection of curated eyewear collections. On 21st to 23rd October 2025, the store opened its doors to the press, guests and the general public, offering a special opportunity to experience a personalised optometric examination in the newly-enhanced optometry room and a tour of the interior and the collections on display. A special party was also held in the store for the official launch of the eyewear brand Conception Générale, designed by Stefano Bellotto, and produced by JDO. Find out more about Punto Ottico Humaneyes on Eyestylist.com at https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/04/matteo-cibic-unparallel-visions-at-punto-ottico-humaneyes/ and https://www.eyestylist.com/2025/07/punto-ottico-humaneyes-store-opening/

To view the Punto Ottico Humaneyes website visit https://puntoottico.it

Boutiques

Sea2see opens store in Grenoble

16th October 2025

The ‘seastainable’ brand opens in Europe’s Green Capital

Partnering with independent French optician, Julien Clavel, Sea2see has opened a branded store in central Grenoble – designed as a dedicated destination for the brand’s sustainable eyewear. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to environmental impact, innovation, and transparency — offering customers a space to engage directly with Sea2see’s mission and values rooted in ocean preservation and ‘seastainable’ circular design. Situated on one of Grenoble’s pedestrian shopping streets, the new store features a contemporary interior that reflects Sea2see’s sustainable values – using natural materials like wood and stone, and a tranquil natural colour palette inspired by the sea and nature. Above: the first Sea2see eyewear store opens in France

Window displays illustrate the making of Sea2see’s recycled eyewear material, created from marine waste

The full Sea2see sun and optical eyewear collections are showcased in the store, alongside a range of professional premium optical services. These include
comprehensive eye examinations, the highest quality premium lenses – competitively priced to suit all customers’ needs and certified with the OFG (Origine France Garantie) label – supplied by an Essilor subsidiary, and offering – in addition – contact lens dispensing.

François van den Abeele, Founder, Sea2see said: “It is only natural that we roll out an optical retail concept for Sea2see, where customers can experience our brand values and discover the impact on the environment via the Sea2see Foundation. I am extremely proud that we are taking the first steps on this retail project with Julien in a great city and strong market for our particular type of eyewear focusing on ‘seastainable’ values.” Find out more at www.sea2see.org

17 Rue de Bonne, 38000 Grenoble, France

Boutiques

l.a. Eyeworks: an impressive new retail ‘campus’ has opened in Los Angeles

13th October 2025

The new flagship is located at 900 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles

Comprising two buildings connected by a pergola-covered walkway, the retail campus is set on a corner property that includes on-site parking for customers. “We needed room for the expanding width of our ideas,” notes Director of Communications Brent Zerger. “We refer to it as a campus in the sense of a place to exchange ideas and make discoveries.” In development for nearly two years, the project was designed by Frank Escher and Ravi GuneWardena, principals of L.A.-based Escher GuneWardena Architecture. Above: a striking new home for the iconic eyewear brand, co-founded by Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds – photo above by Caitlin Carny

Interior: l.a.Eyeworks’ new showroom (photo by Josef Jasso)

The largest of the two buildings houses a showroom featuring a comprehensive survey of l.a.Eyeworks design collections for prescription eyewear and sunglasses. An in-house finishing lab for precision lens work and custom tinting is concealed behind a mirrored wall that reflects a commanding display wall and groupings of slender pedestals in the main space. Walls, ceilings, and exteriors throughout the site are swathed in an immersive glaze of platinum silver paint “which adds an otherworldliness to the oozing, bubbly surface treatment that covers interior ceilings and walls”.

l.a.Eyeworks: a new state-of-the-art events space (photo by Josef Jasso)

Nicknamed “The Lens,” the second building – in addition to its function as a flexible event space – offers an evolving selection of unique objects, including hand-carved bird calls from France, high-tech “smart” telescopes, vintage one-off selections from the l.a.Eyeworks archives, and special collaborative projects with local design and retail entities.