Boutiques

New found friends in a historic location

1st June 2013 I have got to know Carmen Cox of Monocle in Rome over the last three years although we have never met! We have similar interests in unique eyewear and we have come across each other many times through social media networks. For this reason, I was curious about the store where she works with owner Gabriele Vergerio.

Monocle is located in the heart of Rome on Via Campo Marzio near several prestigious boutiques and lots of other interesting shops. “We are surrounded by art galleys, handmade perfume stores, and alternative clothing brands, Carmen explains. “This is an area of Rome for Italians and tourists, looking for particular items to show their individuality.”

Monocle was opened on April 1, 2010 by Vergerio after 20 years working in a traditional family optical store, next to the Pantheon. “I created the new shop with the idea of giving people exclusive high quality design – eyewear, but also a full range of accessories including jewellery, hats, and readers,” he explains. “We have a minimal interior, perfumed with incense and completely white and uncluttered.”

“Today we sell only very high quality labels, and no industrial brands at all,” he explains. “Our selection includes styles by Ron Arad, Hoffman, Matsuda, Chrome Hearts, Kuboraum, Rolf Spectacles, Thierry Lasry, vue dc, Cutler & Gross, Brioni, Masunaga, Hapter, Rick Owens, and Lunor…and we are working on our own label to be ready for 2014. We also sell handmade silver jewellery by Manuel Bozzi and the stainless steel ‘butterfly’ pince-nez by Hoet.”

“Recommending glasses is more than choosing a shape for a face so we try to find a design that goes well with a person’s personality and style reflecting the way they want to be perceived,” comments Carmen. ” This summer we are expecting to do well with the round models and oversized frames. We are very excited with the new collection from Kuboraum which has been a great success for us. It is a label we like a lot and it resembles us…. a continuing evolution.”  www.monocle.it CN

Monocle Eyeglasses gallery/Eyewear/Accessories, Via di Campo Marzio 13, 00186, Roma, Italy

Anne & Valentin in New York and Paris

13th May 2013 French eyewear creator Anne Valentin’s two boutiques resemble stunning art galleries. The frames are displayed as works of art, which they are! The Toulouse based designer discusses with Eyestylist her shops in Paris and New York.

When did the Paris shop open? and New York City? “We opened the boutique in Paris…I think about 2001. In New York, we finished the shop just before the last MIDO. It is very beautiful and we are delighted with the result.” (above)

Both Paris and New York are frequent travel destinations for visitors and professionals worldwide. Did this influence your choice of location? “Why New York? Because everybody comes to this city. It is very interesting to come and confront the diversity that makes up the population. You know, for the entire world, this city in the US is a reference. It is full of contradictions and full of possibilities. Like all the French, I  love to wander in Soho in New York; it’s not very original I concede, but good! And the area always provides many surprises; with its organisation, but a neighbourhood where you can still find surprises. Also, it is charming, and then there are trees, flowers and birds – life is very bohéme. Our commercial proposition is a true proposition; it has a root identity, value and commitment. We are, in this way, a beautiful surprise for everyone, tourists or not. Our clientele is educated, curious, cultivated and sensible, whatever country they come from.”

Does Anne et Valentin have any plans to open additional stores in different countries? “Maybe……one day…..”

Any additional comments you would like to add? “I want to thank you for this interview, and I hope that our efforts for creating refined, fresh and thoughtful designs for life, permit our dear clients and opticians to have has much pleasure as we have in making them.”  Anne et Valentin 4, rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie 75004 Paris and 2 Prince Street New York, 10012 www.anneetvalentin.com JG

Stylish Boutiques in Belgium

1st April 2013 Hoet in Belgium traces its optical origins to 1884, and the family legacy continues to this day. Patrick Hoet and his daughter Bieke oversee the design office with their team, and the Hoet stores are run by Lieselotte Hoet (Patrick’s daughter) and Lieselotte’s husband Frederik Ghesquière. The tenacity of the company is formidable, as they have endured World Wars and economic upheaval. Hoet faith in the future was confirmed when just after WW2, they opened a boutique in the charming setting of Bruges, a major attraction for tourists. The present location of the Brussels store opened seven years ago, and the unique interiors of both shops were created by Hoet.

The chic Brussels boutique (above) is a mecca for diplomats, European Union personnel and functionaries, expats and visitors, who enjoy roaming the spacious (220 square meters) interior for Hoet frames and accessories. Are there other labels in the boutique? “Very few”, said Frederik Ghesquière, “and rule number one: no visible logo’s. Rule number two: original design. Rule number three: quality. For example, we have Factory 900, Wollenweber  – the horn collection – Reiz, Xavier Derome, and from our ‘classic’ client – Lindberg.”

As Bruges is a favourite summer destination in particular, the client profile is different. “We don’t present ‘tourist’ glasses,” says Ghesquière, “and over the years we have acquired some reputation in Bruges. When asked, the hotel concierge advises visitors to see our store. That is, of course, if the guests are not looking for ‘branded’ eyewear.”

Hoet has considered opening shops outside Belgium, but for the time being, limit themselves to having their own collections on display at selected shops in other locations. In-store events are held, particularly in Brussels, because there is more space, and Hoet participates in Design Brussels, and Modo Bruxelles which are yearly features. They often also invite creators from other sectors – art, fur and jewellery – to participate in a Hoet occasion.

Brussels and Bruges are both inspiring and interesting destinations – and even more so with the delightful Hoet boutiques to visit – a must on the Belgium itinerary! www.hoet.be JG