Boutiques

Libraries and Books are Inspiration for Boutique

21st March 2012 Literary Paris glows with memorable writers – Marcel Proust, Alexandre Dumas, Honore Balzac, Alfred Musset and Jean-Paul Sartre – to mention a few. Women shine too – Colette, Françoise Sagan, Simone de Beauvoir, and in the 18th century, the often criticised, but highly intelligent and entertaining Madame de Staël. Their works still grace bookshelves – and Kindles – to this day.

So it was this aspect of history – writers, books and libraries – that launched Les Artisans Lunetiers, a charming “bijou” eyewear boutique on The Left Bank – the spiritual home for writers. The shop is the concept of opticians Christian Mathurier and his sister Laure, and features a tantalizing mix of retro and modern frames, including Waiting for the Sun, Lafont, and Beausoleil, among others. The atmosphere is that of a cosy library. If prose – as well as glasses – is your passion, a favourite quote, a little word or line of poetry can be engraved onto the frame temples. The engraving is done on site, in the first floor atelier. Customers are invited to choose their own quote, or avail themselves of noted author’s quotes.  A memorable gift idea! www.lesartisanslunetiers.fr JG

An Italian eyewear adventure

1st March 2012 L’Osservatorio is a must-see for anyone who loves good frames….there are branches in Milan, Finale Ligure, Alassio and Mondovi (pictured above)…of which we have been to the Milan store and warmly recommend it to anyone going to Mido next week. We spoke to Alfio, director at the Milan branch.

“The Milan shop (Corso Porta Ticinese 83), like our other three stores, was designed by the architect Andrea Meirana. The overall design is inspired by Donal Judd, one of the most significant American artists associated with Minimalism. The concept of the shop is not simply to present a window display showing objects, but rather a “lieu” that treasures and protects the unique qualities of the products it presents. The frames are treated as works of art, and that is why they are placed on glass shelves or special fabrics…in a setting that recalls a jewellery display.”

The Milan shop, like our other two stores, stock very exclusive eyewear lines, including Frency & Mercury, Theo, Mykita, Linda Farrow and collaborations, Lunor, Reiz and Retrospecs, among others.

According to owner of the stores, Gabriele Evangelisti: “My philosophy is that the choice of a pair of glasses in our shops does not end with the purchase, the important story that lies behind each object continues even beyond the contact between the frame and the person who chooses it. The frame becomes a part of the personality of the person wearing it, a distinctive mark, an emotion…My dream is to always have more customers that share my passion for eyewear.”

Does the Italian public have an interest in more unusual brands? “We get a very positive response. The mentality in Italy is that many people are conditioned by famous brands. This is mainly because many of the world famous fashion brands are Italian. In the last year the trends have changed and people now are less keen to spend money only for a brand, they look more and more for the quality of a product. Customers today are also more interested in distinguishing themselves from others and looking more original.

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Parisian Haven for Vintage Eyewear

1st February 2012 The Marais district of Paris has a long, aristocratic history with beautiful 18th and 19th century architectural gems- some of the most elegant in the city. On cosy rue Vieille du Temple, a newer gem in the heart of the Marais opened in 1996 – Selima Optique. The original Selima boutique opened in New York City in 1992, but Selima admits she loves Paris. So this chic little haven was opened, run by Selima’s sister and business partner, Aida Abdelouahab, who offers a warm ‘bienvenue’ to the constant stream of vintage eyewear enthusiasts who flock through the doors. The shop is vintage eyewear paradise – original frames share space with fabulous photos, furniture, artefacts and accessories, along with vintage inspired glasses created by Selima. The girls love accesories, so they have designed a collection of great hats, also available in the shop.

“I travel a lot, and I’m always looking and looking,” says Aida, “we like old, new and the future – so do our customers.” ‘Old’ is the original designs sought throughout voyages; ‘new’ is the Selima vintage-inspired creations handmade in France; and the ‘future’ is in combining retro with a few distinctive brands that hold to the high standards of Selima Optique – so you’ll find frame highlights from LGR, Cutler & Gross, Bottega Veneta, RVS by V, and Vic from Switzerland. Selima Optique 46, rue du Vieille Temple 75004 Paris www.selimaoptique.com JG