Boutiques

1st March 2014  Etienne Frederiks and Jolana Reinink of Hall of Frame in Holland share with Eyestylist the history of their boutique.

 “We opened the shop in 2008,” says Frederiks, “and Jolanda and I (above photo) wanted to start a little boutique where we could sell things we liked ourselves. In Utrecht, in the middle of the country, there was no such place. We were fantasising about this over a coffee, when we saw a broker hanging up a “For Rent” sign in this beautiful location. Without a plan, we decided to start at that very moment, and agreed with the agent to rent the place. We only wanted to sell what we liked ourselves, and the best brands for us at the moment are Garrett Leight and Suzy Glam. We also love other brands with a strong identity like Mykita, Moscot and Lunettes Kollektion. In addition to this, our collection of vintage frames is getting better and bigger.

“For the interior, we searched ourselves for some unique furniture. We wanted an interior that looks exclusive – but accessible. More a fashion store than an optical shop. We are always the first in the Netherlands showing the newest Moscot collection and often we are the only shop in the Netherlands with some limited editions. And of course, we stock the entire Suzy Glam collection. (Etienne’s partner is Suzy Glam designer Susanne Klemm).

“Retro is still the big thing, but a lot of these styles can be bought now at internet shops or chains. So we are looking for new shapes – metal and acetate combinations, good fittings for different faces, and real good design. For us, business is good, but it’s a pity most opticians don’t choose a specific direction – independent shops suit independent labels.” www.hallofframe.eu JG

Unique Setting for Cosy Optical Boutique

12th February 2014 The Rolf team’s passions are diverse – among them automobiles and eyewear. However, the two items are intricately linked in The Rolf World. Cars are an inspiration for their innovative designs in pure horn, wood, and stone that are all handcrafted in their Tyrol premises. So it was natural that when a disused petrol station became available near the Rolf offices, it was the perfect setting for a Rolf Boutique.

While on a visit to the shop, Rolf sales director Bernhard Wolf explained how the possibility of opening the store presented itself in an unusual manner. “This space was originally a petrol station. When the gas station closed, the bank actually offered us the shop, and we said yes. We have many clients who travel from Germany to buy frames in the boutique – customers want to by from the people who make the glasses. It is usually a member of the Rolf team who can be found working in the shop,” said Wolf.

As a former petrol station, there is ample parking space. The interior is inviting and cosy, and here you’ll find the full collection of Rolf Spectacles. Customers can leisurely try on the amazing designs to their hearts’ content. www.rolf-spectacles.com JG

1st January 2014 Just a short stroll from several of the most notable monuments in Paris – Notre Dame, La Sorbonne, and Le Panthéon – is a new establishment creating its own distinguished legacy. Amaury is an innovative gallery – dedicated to handcrafted artisan creations. Amaury Cagniard is a young, sophisticated eyewear designer, and a connoisseur of fine quality products. In this recently opened boutique, you’ll find Amaury’s beautiful eyewear collection in horn, acetate and metal. His frames are gracefully refined, all handmade in France in the renowned Jura area.

In addition, the boutique offers an eclectic selection of intriguing products – including leather accessories – the leather sourced from a small producer in Florence, Italy -and  olive oil from a small grove just outside Rome. Perfume, soap, men’s hats and jumpers in luxurious materials with classic chic, and imaginative furniture from Sculptures Jeux – a French company – can also be leisurely viewed and appreciated in the 350 square metre shop. Each item is chosen with care and concern for authenticity – the same philosophy that Amaury endorses for his eyewear collection. “I make a frame design and then it evolves without force; sometimes I have a precise idea, but everything must flow, be clear and pure without eccentricity.” Just like his gallery boutique. Amaury Store 5, rue Dante 75005 Paris France For more details, visit www.amaury.eu.com JG

28th December 2013 Eyestylist is delighted that Joao Cruz of Cruz Oculista contacted us this month to introduce an exciting new retail space in historic Coimbra, Portugal – a city with a glorious past, a unique fado and one of Europe’s earliest universities, founded in 1290. Iris by Cruz Oculista is a concept store developed by Ipotz Studio. Inspired by the original design of the historic facade in a street called Ferreira Borges, the shop space – inside and out – creates the illusion of a jewellery box, and houses some carefully chosen alternative eyewear brands from across the globe, among them, Claire Goldsmith, l.a. eyeworks, Kuboraum and Mykita.

The window was sculpted by artist Fernando Coimbra Lardosa, and transforms a simple retail window into an art gallery where frames are displayed at a single level. Immediately attracting attention from the street, this is a store for eyewear connoisseurs and fans of unusual brands offering originality, quality and striking achievements in design and is set to be a new reference for luxury optics in Portugal.

Already a hit at Eyestylist, we just wish we were on our way to Coimbra to step inside this little design haven for eyewear connoisseurs! We hope to soon. See more at http://irisbycruzoculista.com/ CN