Boutiques

Boutique with Italian Charm and Style in Mestre Venice

1st May 2014 A special thank you to Gualtiero Coppe of Coppe+Sid for introducing Eyestylist to his lovely Venetian boutique. Prophilo Company began manufacturing optical frames and sunglasses in 1983, and the boutique opened a year ago – a family enterprise with Mario Di Bello and his wife Rossana, and their son Matteo. They chose Mestre as the location because Mario was born in Venice, and the family now lives on “the mainland”, just a few minutes from the centre of Venice.  “What we wanted,” says Mario, “is that the shop had a new image and that people feel like they are at home when entering the boutique.”

The shop interior is cosy, and oozes charm, warmth and character. “The interior renovation was created by architect Marcadella Alessandra, but overall we worked together, including the furniture research,” explains Mario, “and the wall that appears to be a fresco (above) is a particular wallpaper from Wall & Deco Co., but it really does look like an old fresco.” Vintage carpets, wood accessories and a working fireplace add to the delightful ambience.

“We don’t have many tourists in our shop,” says Mario,”as most of our customers are local people who look for new brands, fashion and something trendy. Together with some products by Prophilo, we have Coppe & Sid, Moscot, Barton Perreira, Conservatoire de Lunettes, Jacques Durand, Claire Goldsmith, Derapage, Etnia Barcelona, Paul Frank, Volte Face, Italia Independent and Spektre. In our shop we look for exclusive brands which give us emotion. Each label has its own space; we do not mix brands together. The trend this season is round shapes in optical designs, mirrored sunglasses, and two-tone gradient lenses. When we present a new eyewear collection, we usually have an event inside and outside the shop with music and cocktails. It’s really beautiful to take time to be together for a break.” www.prophilo.com JG

A new destination for unique eyewear, in Madrid

1st April 2014 Francisco Avilés and Thomas Denizot’s boutique-style shop L’Atelier Óptica is the kind of place that Madrid excels at: a stylish retail space inside a charming old building in one of the city “barrios” or quarters – Barrio de las Letras – well-known for its art galleries and antique shops.

Natural brick walls, cement flooring and neutral colours are complimented by plants, mirrors and bright hanging lights in a fashionable, serene arrangement that the Spanish do so effortlessly. Perfectly coordinated design features include accessories, lighting and furniture by Vitra, Flos, String, Habitat and Norman Copenhagen. Also featured are works by Eames, Konstantin Gcic and Egon Eiermann.

Opened just 4 months ago, the shop highlights fine independent labels including Mykita, Massada, Vue DC and some Eyestylist favourites: British labels, Fan Optics and Claire Goldsmith and from Portugal, Paulino Spectacles.

“Our concept is to combine the experience of choosing a pair of glasses with being in an art space,” explains Avilés, an optometrist and teacher of Contact Lenses and Optometry at the European University of Madrid. “We are really happy with the way it is going here we love that we have been able to bring a new optical concept to the artistic neighbourhood of the city.”

L’Atelier Óptica, C/Moratin 18, Barrio de las Letras, 28014 Madrid. www.latelieroptica.com

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