29th April 2011 To celebrate the wedding, and to pay hommage to British couture brand Alexander McQueen, and Sarah Burton, the designer of Ms. Middleton’s wedding dress, a gorgeous fairy tale design, featuring elegant handmade lace…
This is one of the McQueen sunglass styles currently in the shops….it’s a clean simple design, that would make a wonderful memento of the occasion, with the classic McQueen skull head featured in miniature. www.alexandermcqueen.com CN
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Dr. Julie Diem Le and following her career from the start in 2006. In the intervening years, the company she founded, Zoobug, with its range of high quality children’s glasses, has won several prestigious awards, including a Silmo D’Or. As an eye surgeon, she understands that youngsters need sunglasses that protect young, vulnerable eyes. This dashing aviator, shown here in pink, is also available in green, blue and gold, and is available in two sizes, for 3-5 year olds and 6-12 year olds. Made in Italy, in hypoallergenic stainless steel with flex hinges, and polycarbonate UV 400 lenses, these frames possess safety and style features that appeal to parents and kids. Zoobug frames can be purchased online at www.zoobug.com JG
London based Linda Farrow is known for her exquisite accessories with vintage flair. Now she brings the same creativity to LF Luxe Kids frames for boys and girls, in luxury materials including 24k gold, and the flexibility of spring hinges. These super-retro sunglasses in smooth acetate with shatter proof lenses, are an exact translation from an adult style, crafted to fit small faces. The mink and white gold colouring is sure to please youngsters who like to follow trends. LF Luxe Kids can be found at Go British (www.go-british.com), and at L’Eclaireur in Paris (www.leclaireur.com). www.lindafarrow.co.uk JG
Tucked away in the atmospheric environment of Montmartre is an adorable children’s optical boutique, the inspiration of Parisian optician Annette Hoffmann. The enterprising Hoffmann has three other optical locations in Montmartre, but she has a particular philosophy for youngsters. “Children have their own shops for clothes, shoes and toys, so I thought ‘why not a boutique just for children’s optics?’ I believe that children need a special place of their own to try on eyewear.”
Hoffmann opened the little jewel of a boutique – it’s just 25 square meters – four year ago, on a lovely tree-lined street in Montmartre, an area beloved by painters Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso. The shop’s sparkling white interior is enhanced with antiques, another passion of Hoffmann’s. As the leading optician in the area for decades, she knows the value of offering superior quality frames and personal service.
“We like to make appointments and spend time with parents and their children; kids love to look at the frames and then pick out what they want to try on. Children like to wear glasses now, because it is really cool.” Little Opta offers only the crème de la crème from companies, as Hoffmann points out that creating quality frames for kids requires technical knowledge of a child’s face. The boutique stocks Lafont, ic! berlin, Karavan Kids, and Eye’DJ, among others. Little Opta is a charming oasis for kid’s frames, and opticians Jennifer and Victor are on hand to provide a warm and professional optical experience for both parents and their children. JG
Little Opta, 81, rue Caulaincourt 75018 Paris Tel: +33 (0) 1 4254 12 60 www.opta-createurs.com
All In The Family
Lunettes Lafont is a French family affair. For over 85 years, there have been Lafont family members involved in the company. Now Philippe Lafont (centre) and his two sons, Thomas (left) and Matthieu (right) are closely connected with all aspects of the company. Twenty-five years ago, Thomas and Matthieu’s elegant mother, Laurence, launched the Lafont children’s collection. Madame Lafont always said: “you cannot make children suffer,” so Lafont frames for kids have always taken little faces and children’s preferences into consideration. Thomas has inherited the design mantle, and his collections of kid’s frames are created with his mother’s goal firmly in mind.
“Acceptance and comfort is the key issue for kids,” says Marketing Director Matthieu. “Small faces need specifically adapted frames. Our answer is to give different styles for different ages, and to offer exclusive colours. We provide a product that is harmless, and as strong as possible. Quality is really at the top of the list for parents. Why? Because kids can play hard, fall, and sometimes sit on their frames!”
Lafont offers frames in several categories: 6 months to 4 years; Age 4-7; 7-12 years; and 12-16 years old. Acetate, metal, nylon and spring hinges ensure that the frames avoid breakage as much as possible. Even the names are fun – Gribouille, French for draw or doodle, is a boys frame alive with rockets, planets, and stars. Certain boy’s styles feature a little sports car on the tips of side pieces, and for girls, there is a ladybug – symbol of good luck.
The Lafonts are passionate about eyewear, with their commitment to the profession, their design inspiration and emphasis on quality. The next generation of Lafont’s is growing up with a passion for eyewear. “My four year old daughter needs to wear glasses,” says Matthieu, “and she is so proud and happy to wear them! She selected her own frame.” The family tradition carries on! Lafont have their own boutiques in Paris, in superb locations on both the Left and Right Banks of La Seine. JG
For further details: www.lafont.com