Design + Inspiration

The eyewear company plants 1000 new trees in Peneda-Gerês National Park – Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal

Trees have been planted by VAVA in recognition of 23rd November, a date which promotes the native forest and the native species and raises awareness of their importance. The eyewear label organised an event to plant 1000 indigenous trees in their homeland at Arcos de Valdevez. This particular area in Northern Portugal suffered from large wildfires in the summer of 2017 where the devastating damage of the natural setting and ecosystems left some areas barren of their natural vegetation. The region is often referred to as an area of outstanding beauty.

The initiative is part of VAVA’s new Theorem project to gather and inspire others to fight against climate change and move forward to a more sustainable future.

VAVA describes their new Theorem as “a philosophy to intertwine the needs of humans and Planet Earth”. It fuses their principles and actions in the pursuit of equilibrium that they have committed to follow. The VAVA Theorem incorporates enhancement of people, protection of the environment, respect of ethical values and promotion of culture. One of its purposes is to convey vital information in a clear and organised fashion, so that the reader can understand the development and concepts behind the evolution of VAVA’s sustainability project. It also represents an effort to bring greater transparency to VAVA’s endeavours in terms of the environmental, societal and political challenges faced on a global scale. Find out more about VAVA Eyewear at https://vavaeyewear.com

In 2021, Eyestylist has reported on a range of unique independent stores that opened between November 2020 and December 2021 – a period that has been particularly testing but also full of innovation and endeavour. Here we round up eight truly outstanding stores featured during this period, all of which pave the way for  more trailblazers and stylesetters with an architectural focus or an avantgarde mission and an unerring passion for creative eyewear in the field of optical retailing.

1. MYKITA, Mexico City – The elegant tree-lined boulevard Colima (Roma Norte) interspersed with Art Deco houses has seen the opening of the new MYKITA Shop, housed in a 1950s Bauhaus-inspired building. The store is designed to offer an ‘immersive’ MYKITA experience, with three levels and an overall space of 700 square metres. Alongside their established design classics and latest eyewear collections which are all handcrafted at the MYKITA HAUS in Berlin, the shop – as is typical of the German brand’s retail concept – offers a comprehensive optical service with state-of-the-art instruments and lenses by ZEISS. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/10/mykita-in-mexico-city/

2. EOE, Stockholm – For its flagship store in the city of Stockholm, sustainable eyewear brand EOE has created a serene and minimal EOE universe, inspired by the sparse nature of the northern terrains of Swedish Lapland. The new destination store is located on Mäster Samulesgatan 10, in the middle of Biblioteksstan, a busy and well-known area of the city, known for its many retail stores, among them several already specialising in eyewear. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/01/eoe-flagship-stockholm/ 

3. Eyes on Hudson, Hudson Valley, NY – Katelyn Rogerson’s new store Eyes on Hudson opened in 2020, a breathtaking state-of-the-art retail space turned independent eyewear destination. With an extraordinary mix of curated collections by independent designers, the store represents a new dynamic retail concept achieved through youthful passion, a natural affinity with artisan design and over 10 years’ experience working in one of New York’s famed eyewear stores. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/03/eyes-on-hudson-hudson-valley-ny/

4. Hungry Eyes, Stuttgart, Germany  – After 14 years as store manager, master optician Thomas Hommerberg has achieved his dream in the hardest of climates. His new store in Stuttgart specialises in independent eyewear brands and design labels. “The concept is to bring to Stuttgart real independent eyewear in a unique shop which is far removed from the mass market”, he told Eyestylist. “This is definitely missing here and this is the concept of my store. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/01/hungry-eyes-stuttgart/

5. The Art of Optics, Dubai (UAE) – Ahmad Albanna, owner and founder of The Art of Optics, Dubai, is an eyewear aficionado with his own collection of independent specs and sunglasses and an enthusiastic interest in art and design. “With a passion for frames, I have always been in search of unique, unusual colorful eyewear,” he told Eyestylist. “So when I opened my store I went to the optical exhibitions to select each pair of glasses myself. I knew some of the brands from being a collector. But when I started to visit the fairs I got to know some more. Some of the brands we have are here in Dubai for the very first time. READ MORE:  https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/04/the-art-of-optics-dubai-uae-box-park/

6. Sacrées Mirettes – Lille, France – Sacrées Mirettes is an eyewear boutique located in Vieux Lille, the historic area of Lille, France. Though the store is situated in beautiful surroundings, steeped in history and culture within a bustling city, the business and founders Sarah and Flo did not have the warmest welcome into the retail world. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/07/sacrees-mirettes-lille-france/

7. L’Opticienne Manon Favand, France – L’Opticienne is a stylish, boutique opticians founded by Manon Favand, located in an historic building in the commune of Uzès in the south of France. Favand first conceived the idea of having her own boutique after she had completed her training as an optician. READ MORE:  https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/09/lopticienne-manon-favand-france/

8. Taylor-West & Co., Lewes, UK – In a corner of Lewes, known for its cafes, independent stores and the Needlemakers historic building to which it is attached, the new Taylor-West & Co. practice is a bijou boutique with an elegant and smart appearance. READ MORE:  https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/06/lewes-optician-taylor-west-co-uk/This list was compiled by Eyestylist.com – the copy was written by Clodagh Norton and the journalists at Eyestylist.com. All rights reserved.

If you are a store owner and you would like to be considered for a review or report in 2022, get in touch! We are looking for the stores of the future!

The fashion brand has moved to the independent company RETROSUPERFUTURE for a special new partnership

The fashion brand MARNI has partnered with RETROSUPERFUTURE to release a new collection that’s exciting and strong. In this new departure, both optical frames and sunglasses are a feature, characterised by a cutting-edge design and bold, attention grabbing aesthetic that is always a fundamental vision at the brand which loves to push an original offbeat style.

The new collection promotes a bold and carefree style with a unique inspiration, mirroring the design of the luxury brand with quirky elements and chunky acetate shapes, oversized silhouettes and bold colours which come together with an acutely studied Italian expertise. RSF’s know-how in the production of cutting-edge eyewear complements Marni’s aesthetics, offering a fresh take on contemporary eyewear and one that will attract attention both for its daring fashion spirit and panache as well its break with the norm – “subverting the traditional templates that exist within fashion”. Marni’s new signature eyewear collection is released 6th December at retrosuperfuture.com and selected optical doors, forming a perfect dialogue with Marni’s distinctive runway style.