Boutiques

Hans Schneider and his daughter Sina gave us a warm welcome in Munich, on a cold snowy evening during the annual eyewear event Opti. Their family-run store, located close to the universities and prestigious art galleries opened at this very same address in October 1970, and, as Hans and his daughter explained, the whole interior, as it was then, has been preserved. “We have only needed to renovate the floor,” explained Sina. “My father had the interior furnished by an “optical” furniture specialist from Hanover (a rarity at that time!), according to his own taste and design brief.”

During the first two years’ of business, Scheider recalled that he sold Zeiss lenses, opera glasses and Rodenstock lenses and spectacles. It wasn’t until 1972 that he added some of the up-and-coming Italian eyewear labels; and as things began to change and the choice in collections grew, Schneider took a selection of fine eyewear designs including the German labels Cazal and Jil Sander – at that time sold directly by the design house itself – and, by the early 80s, Alain Mikli from France.

“Today, with the vast number of collections available, we are still seeking out the innovators and designers that show excellence, quality and detailing. We have selected items that my father and I both identify as individual and of good quality…we are working with brands like Lindberg, Oliver Peoples, PQ and Eyevan from Japan,” says Sina. “I love some of the more underground styles by Activist in Brooklyn. My father has an incredible appreciation of all things that are well made, using traditional techniques, but he is also known for recommending the very individual frames produced with a modern, more daring aesthetic. He has a real eye for which frame will suit a customer, young or old, and true expertise when it comes to finding something different. He’s inspirational.”

Brillen Schneider, Amalienstr. 33/32, 80799 Munich, Germany www.brillen-schneider.de CN

Parisian brand Lafont’s boutique on Boulevard Raspail, a stone’s throw from Bon Marche, is instantly recognisable with its aubergine and dark green decor and artistic seasonal window displays. A 1970s painting of a tiger above the desk – with a glint in his eye – has come from the Lafont family’s private collection, creating a surprising focal point in the spacious modern interior where eyewear is displayed on elegant shelves.

Our most recent visit to the family-owned Parisian brand took in two Lafont addresses – 17 Boulevard Raspail, a large space with a high ceiling, chic and contemporary, and fitting for the area frequented by Parisian professionals, lawyers and politicians; and the historic “epi-centre” of the brand in Rue Vignon, charming and historic, more museum than boutique, dating back to 1923 (further details at https://www.eyestylist.com/2011/09/lafont-eyewear-paris-france-2/)

“My mother and father began to experiment with colour in eyewear as early as the 1970s,” explains Matthieu Lafont who meets me at Rue Vignon. “They were spraying the frames to apply colour at that time,  and then they began to introduce fabric into the designs. They were really experimental for those times.”

Today the shops highlight the brand’s entire collections – classics such as Jupiter (above) set side by side with new designs, desirable re-editions, a gorgeous classical horn collection, and precious authentic vintage tortoise frames. Bespoke is also an important highlight at retail. “We see demand for bespoke frames in the stores, and this is an area that is increasingly relevant, it’s a part of our expertise,” explains Matthieu.

With four shops in Paris and one in Normandy, as well as optical stockists worldwide – some feature bespoke Lafont “corners” with similar colours and details as the Parisian stores themselves – the label shows no signs of slowing down in terms of creative drive and accomplished trendsetting designs and decorative applications. Part of the beauty of the collection remains its unique identity – and the expression of that through each design. “For our 2016 collection presentation at Mido,” explains Matthieu,” Thomas, artistic director, has worked on new colour combinations in acetate, metal or acetate with fabric. We will also present a new set of retro inspired products combining carbon fibre fronts and beta-titanium temples. A lot of work has been dedicated to the shapes, with new offers in terms of sizing and proportions.” For more information about Lafont Paris and the Parisian stores visit www.lafont.com. Photography credit: Eyestylist.com CN

The Barcelona brand Wilde Sunglasses announces a new showroom in Medellin, Colombia, following the success of its independent label in the Catalan city of Barcelona. The new retail space is similar to its bijoux boutique on Calle Avinyo, behind Placa Reial and the Ramblas. The retro-modern design of the collection, inspired by earlier decades, has established the artisan label as one of Barcelona’ s most popular home-grown independent sunglass labels, and it is becoming increasingly sought after outside Spain.

Designed by the Wilde team, the space in Medellin becomes the first international outlet for the brand showing the entire collection for the first time in Colombia. www.wildewebstore.com CN

Moscot’s latest venture is a new store in Soho, London, which opened this month. The first of its kind in Europe, the shop at 37 Beak Street has been designed to replicate the Moscot stores in New York City, with the familiar decor, vintage memorabilia and dark wood fittings, and a range of its well-known vintage-look eyewear, popular with spec-wearing celebrities including Johnny Depp.

We popped in on a busy Xmas shopping afternoon to a warm welcome from the team and managing partner, Mo Webb. Resident ‘Moscot mascot’ Hugo (#MOSCOTMASCOT) was also at home – one of the cutest puppies we’ve met in a while.

As well as three stores in New York City and one in London, Moscot has shops in Tokyo and Seoul. One of the oldest surviving independent labels in eyewear, dating back to 1915, the brand has grown a following globally.

Moscot London, 37 Beak Street, Soho London W1F 9RZ. For details about Moscot, visit  www.moscot.com CN

A world of luxury, beauty, inspiring fashion and accessories waits behind the doors of Les Suites – the sumptuous Parisian boutique, located in the chic 8th Arrondissement. The ambience is magical – an amazing interior with a sweeping grand staircase, exquisite service, clothes and accessories that are unique in their crafted perfection.

The exclusive boutique opened in 2013, presenting Limited Editions of gorgeous fashion creations – Haute Couture and Pret-a-Porter plus wedding gowns – are made by European, American, Japanese, Russian and Chinese designers. Like the collections, the clientele is international – from all corners of the globe, and includes many from the art, film, and music worlds. Often mothers and daughters shop together, to discover one-of-a-kind items. Fabulous sunglasses — all handcrafted – featured at Les Suites includes designs by Anna-Karin Karlsson, Jacques Marie Mage, John Dalia, Thierry Lasry, and Kyme. When in Paris, treat yourself to a visit at Les Suites – it is a memorable, modern, exceptional and elegant experience. www.boutiquelessuites.com JG

Images by Eyestylist.com