Eyestylist

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