Boutiques

Optica Toscana, Madrid

10th November 2011

10th November 2011 Eyestylist.com’s Art Director Helen Bratby has just returned from a weekend in Madrid, and took some pictures for us of the very special Optica Toscana. It’s one of the stores in Europe that is always being mentioned to us for its style and atmosphere and incredible selection of specs. The old-fashioned flagship shop (above) is a former seed store full of tiny old wooden drawers, bursting with exciting-looking frames. Blasts of colour are dotted around the wood displays.

The main shop is very buzzy and full of people (not just at weekends), and it’s in an atmospheric regenerated shopping area.

P1000329 — Wall display at Optica Toscana

Owner Antonio Lopez, explains further: “Our shops are designed for those with an interest in design and aesthetics, who see spectacles as an important part of their identity, for themselves. We have a wide selection of collections; they include Anne et Valentin, Barton Perreira, Cutler and Gross, L.G.R., Francis Klein, Rapp and Leisure Society and many others. We do well also with the buffalo horn by Ralph Vaessen.”

Why is the store a trendsetter? “We are coherent, we stick to our preferences and tastes when choosing frames, and we work closely with our suppliers bringing a wide choice of complete collections, the best from around the world, to our customers.

“We have opened a second store in Ayala because we saw a demand for our frames in another part of Madrid! Designed by the architects Maroto and Ibañez, this shop is completely different and modern, but we believe it shares the essence of who we are.” CN

www.opticatoscana.com

Optica Toscana, Hortaleza 70, 28004 Madrid

Optica Toscana, Ayala 34 28001 Madrid

P1000331 — Optica Toscana's branch at Ayala 34, Madrid

Photography by Helen Bratby www.helenbratby.co.uk

Boutiques

Jauch Optik

1st November 2011

Altdorf Switzerland

1st November 2011 During my recent visit to Switzerland, I was pleased to meet Ralf Wenger, the owner of Jauch Optik in Altdorf. Located in the Swiss canton of Uri, the town of Altdorf and the William Tell legend are intricately connected. Tell was the expert medieval marksman and Swiss patriot, who allegedly shot an apple from his son’s head in the marketplace, just a few meters from the building that Wenger purchased in 2004. The old house is now the smart setting for Jauch Optik, with the exterior carefully preserved, and the interior streamlined and furnished in beautiful woods. Paintings by a variety of local artists give a gallery feel to the charming boutique.

“Its a small house with only two floors,”says Wenger, “and our concept for the shop is that when customers come to us, we have the right solutions for their eyecare needs. We keep a ‘Vision Profile’ on every customer, so we know exactly what they require – whether for working at the computer, going to the cinema, or being on the ski slopes.

“Our in-store events have included a presentation of hairstyles and frames, art and wine programmes, makeup and eyewear. We believe in featuring authentic eyewear designers, so we avoid licensed brands. We have Mykita, Framers, Blac, Bellinger, Beausoleil and Kaenon among others.” Wenger is creating his own legend in Altdorf at Jauch Optik. www.jauchoptik.ch JG

Boutiques

Eyewear by Olga

14th October 2011

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/).

Eyewear by Olga, 1 Hurontario Street, unit 5, Mississauga (Port Credit), Ontario, L5G-0A3, Canada

www.eyewearbyolga.com

Boutiques

Gogosha Optique

1st October 2011

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

Boutiques

Wink Optometrists, Melbourne, Australia

7th September 2011

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