Boutiques

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

Boutiques

Specstacular Opticians, Shoreditch

1st November 2015

A vintage destination for eyewear connoisseurs

“It’s lined with up-and-coming design stores,” says Hackney boy Keval, explaining the location of his inspirational glasses store – Specstacular – on Cheshire Street in Shoreditch, East London. “Hala and I opened the shop in May last year, but we’ve planned the business over a much longer period of around 7 years. I was driving across the country to source furniture and increase the vintage collection. I have been collecting vintage frames for around 20 years.” In the centre of the shop is a wooden cabinet featuring unusual eyewear exhibits including an “eye mask” that dates back to Roman times. Lining the walls of the shop are a selection of the frames – different types of vintage design, folding glasses, unusual safety eyewear and visors, and classics of all shapes and sizes. Pictured above: owners Keval and Hala at Specstacular, Shoreditch

 

The shop was introduced to Eyestylist by Rigards’ Ti Kwa, whose unique horn designs are now available here – aptly it’s the first stockist of the Rigards collection in London, and the only store in the UK that will have the exclusive Rigards x Royal Selangor designs in horn and pewter – coming soon.

Alongside Rigards are several other carefully selected new labels such as Michel Henau and Kuboraum, – Keval says the new ones have to be really interesting – “the wackier the better” – and the selection of incredible vintage designs, which dates back to the 40s, giving the shop its historic appeal. “We have become a destination for eyewear brands and designers; we are involved in all kinds of special TV and film projects including a documentary on the Royal Family and a Hong Kong-Chinese romantic film called ‘Triumph in the Skies”.

“Customising lenses is one of our specialities and this is an area where we seem to have caught the public’s imagination. We are able to play with colours and tints that you wouldn’t normally get, and we can fit them in frames that are not easily found,” explains Keval.

Planning for the future, the duo mention a new 15 piece collection of their own, coming in summer 2016. “I am working on it and I’d like to launch next year. We will start in acetate with a few combination styles. The aim will be to create a collection that fits with our specialism in vintage, with, of course emphasis on artisan quality and precision.” Further details at www.specstacular.london CN

40, Cheshire Street, London E2 6EH