Boutiques

The Bespoke Collection

21st January 2015 This month, Auerbach & Steele in London launches a bespoke design collection in collaboration with Central Saint Martin’s (CSM), one of the world’s leading centres for art and design education. The collection is available on request at Auerbach & Steele’s flagship store on the King’s Road, Chelsea – with prices from £1600 pounds.

Forty BA jewellery design students were briefed on the basic requirements of a spectacle frame; they were then asked to submit two designs each, one functional and one extravagant.

Judged by a panel of industry experts including owner, Gail Steele, a series of winners have gone on to have their frames developed and manufactured by A&S. Above: Design inspired by Asian face jewellery, created by Haya Lutfullah, age 21, from Pakistan. (Price £2300).

A&S are constantly looking for new, innovative ways to expand the brand which has been at the forefront of avant-garde eyewear since its inception in 1996. The project with CSM, voted the world’s best higher education institution in 2012, was developed as a way of investing in the achievements and creative energy of its graduates.

A&S was looking to find the ‘next big thing’ in eyewear design, as well as add an extra dimension to the carefully edited range of ophthalmic frames available for purchase at A&S – ensuring the brand remains at the forefront of the spectacle frame industry.

The Auerbach & Steele King’s Road store has on display more than 1,000 spectacle frames and sunglasses. A & S’s frame ranges are not the usual designer logo collections that are found in every high street opticians. Auerbach & Steele staff search the world for unusual, off-beat styles, such as Caroline Abram, Adrian Marwitz, Rolf Spectacles and Mondelliani to name but a few of their desirable mix of frames. Auerbach & Steele, 129 King’s Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4PW  www.auerbach-steele.com CN

1st January 2015 The enthusiastic crowd jostled for shoulder space, while enjoying the music and festive atmosphere. The occasion was the opening of the Suzy Glam Boutique in Amsterdam – a cause for celebration for the Swiss born-Netherlands based designer. The boutique is the culmination of months of work by Susanne Klemm and her partner Etienne Frederiks.  “We’ve done everything ourselves,” said Frederiks, “and that includes all the electrical work and painting, and Susanne did the design. The previous owner of this shop – which was a sport shop specialist with lots of fishing items – really didn’t do anything to the space for probably forty years. It’s been a lot of work, but we enjoy it.”

The shop location is close to the Museum District, and the famed Concertgebouw, and easily reached by Amsterdam’s convenient and marvellous trams. The shop interior is refined and uncluttered – just like the exquisite eyewear designs by Susanne Klemm. Walls are pristine white – a perfect backdrop for the collection. The previous shop owner left his fine wood shelving and glass-fronted cases, which turn out to be ideal for eyewear display and stock.

It is just two years since Suzy Glam was launched, and her frames are now sold internationally. Suzy Glam was awarded Gold in The Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Award in 2013.  The opening night showcased the SG collection and the guest collection of Paulino Spectacles from Portugal, with designer Ramiro Paulino present.

The event was an exhilarating occasion for the presentations of exciting collections. Eyestylist wishes Susanne Klemm and Etienne Frederiks every success with their new boutique. Along with Van Gogh and The Rijksmuseum on your Amsterdam to do list, remember to include Suzy Glam Boutique! Roelof Hartstraat 32 1071 VK Amsterdam www.suzyglam.com JG

Photos: Photo of Susanne Klemm, Ramior Paulino and Etienne Frederiks by Dervin Curiel  All other images by Dick Kikstra

Benner Eyewear Flagship store, Villingendorf, Germany

1st December 2014  Eyestylist first discovered the Seecontainer when it opened in 2011 (https://www.eyestylist.com/2011/05/grotesque-frame-kg-villingendorf-germany/). We were impressed to find an out-of-the-ordinary store bringing individual quality brands to a local community, located between Stuttgart and Lake Constance. The shop is made up of two 40 foot cargo containers, converted to offer a striking exterior and a smart minimal retail interior space.

Today, founder/designer Daniel Benner says things have progressed perfectly, both with the flagship store, and his own German-made eyewear collection. “Our store has had super reactions since the beginning. Our customers come for the great choice of eyewear, including several home-grown German labels…we don’t sell any ‘low-wage’ mass produced collections.”

The collections now highlighted include Daniel’s own line, Benner Eyewear (the full collection is on show in the shop), ic! berlin, Herrlicht, Tipton, Axel S, Martin & Martin and Italia Independent.

75% of the store’s customers use progressive lenses. “Those are the people that don’t care about brand names and would like to wear something different, even if its more expensive. They are interested in finding eyewear made authentically or in traditional ways in Germany or Europe.”

Alongside the super array of colourful independent eyewear brands, the Seecontainer has also established itself as a fashionable venue for special events, book signings and concerts, making visits here as enjoyable and memorable as possible. A unique concept.

Benner Eyewear Design, Haldacker 4, 78667 Villingendorf, Germany www.benner-eyewear.com CN