14th October 2011 I have come across Olga Ljutic-Trentin on my travels recently. Olga opened an optical store in Ontario in August this year. She has succeeded in designing a quirky “destination” store, with statement retro inspired fittings. The shop is stocking lots of brands that eyewear aficionados will love including Claire Goldsmith, Theo, Orgreen and Lindberg and the owner is a true fan of well-designed eyewear.
We were excited to see the sculpture in the shop which was created as an eyewear display, inspired by the orchid, a commission carried out by Jeremy Guy (http://www.jeremy-guy.com/).
www.eyewearbyolga.com
Gogosha Optique
Los Angeles, California
1st October 2011 Julia Gogosha’s bubbly enthusiasm is like fizzy champagne as she talks about her love of eyewear. Two years ago, she opened her first optical boutique in Los Angeles, and in July this year, a second shop on West 3rd Street (above) was launched with a grand opening party. Julia explains her retail philosophy: “My aim is to be THE Los Angeles destination for independently designed and handmade eyewear. I see myself as an ambassador for independent designers and do not carry any licensed merchandise in our stores. We focus on fit and point of view to match the person with the right frame – every frame has a unique owner. We are a high-end, service and design driven boutique.”
In just over three years, Gogosha Optique has evolved into one of the premiere boutiques in America for modern, independently designed, and individualized frames. Style aware clients can find the newest creations from Claire Goldsmith, Thierry Lasry, Anne et Valentin, Théo, Salt, Barton Perreira, Mykita and more. Visitors to Gogosha Optique arrive from all over America, and throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.
Julia also presents in-store events – customers can meet their favourite designers. Recently she hosted Designer Showcases with Thierry Lasry from France, and California based Salt. Julia Gogosha and Gogosha Boutiques merit their reputation as bona fide eyewear gurus. Gogosha Optique 8238 West 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048 www.gogosha.com JG
Wink Optometrists, Melbourne, Australia
7th September Wink Optometrists is an independent eyewear boutique in Melbourne, Australia who introduced me to Karen Walker. “As an optical shop, we are unique,” explains owner Jo Twaddell. “We match customers with frames that enhance their own personality and fit their specific needs. So, rather than just filling shelves with ordinary, mass-produced stock, most of our frames are handmade and some can even be ordered to the customer’s requirements.”
“One of our favourite brands is Karen Walker eyewear. Karen Walker is a prominent womenswear designer from New Zealand, and her foray into eyewear design has been particularly successful because she delivers a product which is quirky and unexpected, rather than a carbon-copy of a pre-existing style. Walker takes risks with everything in her range, from her colourways to her advertising. She designs sunglasses that make a statement of confidence and individuality. As such, the brand is perfect for our store!”
“Another unusual brand that we stock is RVS By V. Inspired by his father’s optical collection as a child, designer Vidal has created a collection of vintage shapes with a fresh eye. The collection is available in a range of bold, matte colours, recreating iconic styles for the modern glasses-wearer. The range is handmade in Turkey and WINK Optometrists is the exclusive Melbourne stockist of the brand.”
For more on this shop visit www.winkoptom.com.au CN
Lafont Eyewear Paris, France
1st September 2011 Lafont Eyewear always find the best locations. For their fifth boutique in Paris, they have chosen the area known as Passy, in the 16th arrondissement. The area has an intriguing history, as Philadelphian Benjamin Franklin, the first U.S. Ambassador to France, lived in Passy from 1777 to 1785. At that time, Passy was a village in the suburb of Paris, and Franklin a beloved resident. Nowadays, Passy is an eclectic mix of foreign embassies, beautiful apartment buildings and great shopping. Franklin, who wore glasses, would be delighted to find Lafont’s newest two-level boutique, in a classical French building, decked out in the company’s signature colours of rich hunter green and aubergine.
Their diverse collections of ophthalmic eyewear and sunglasses for men and women are elegantly presented in wood and glass armoires, and on customized shelves, from which customers can try on their favourite styles. The first floor is devoted to frames for youngsters. Lafont eyewear designs have superb kid appeal, and the collection of antique toys grabs attention too – for children and adults. You can always count on superb service at Lafont – not just when purchasing your frames – after sales care is attentive and friendly. This boutique is a little gem for true French eyewear – designed in France, made in France. JG www.lafont.com
Optiko, Brisbane
26th August 2011 The Eyestylist team may be based in Europe but we’ve been contacted by some leading independent opticians further afield, so we will be reporting on many of them in the months ahead. We are particularly happy to be in touch with some great designers and opticians in Australia, all of whom we look forward to introducing to you soon.
Brisbane’s Optiko is one of Australia’s leading independent stores, and regularly features in Australian Vogue, given its extra special choice of eyewear collections and rare vintage sunglasses by labels like Marion Ramm, Krizia and Oscar de la Renta.
Optiko director Mike Makras explains the interior concept: ” The store is made up of two distinct areas, the first is marble encased and super light, and the inner room is a dark gentleman’s club style atmosphere. The store is now over 5 years old and is testament to the architect’s timeless design. Located in one of Brisbane’s oldest arcades, the building also houses the city’s largest and oldest gentleman’s club – The Tattersalls Club – so the architect used that as an influence.
We won the DIA (Design Institute Award) retail interiors award when we initially opened. We currently stock Cazal, Cartier, Cutler and Gross, and we have 3 in-house brands made in actetate, local wood, and buffalo horn. We also stock Lindberg, ic-berlin, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Virgin Vintage, RVS and lots of other rare makes.”
I am sure locals will be delighted to here that Optiko is in the process of designing a second store which will have lost of surprises! We will bring you more on this new opening in the winter. www.optiko.com.au CN
Optiko, Tattersalls Arcade, 215 Queen Street, Brisbane 4000, Australia