Archive for November, 2009

People Magazine’s 2009/2010 “Sexiest Man Alive” Isn’t Afraid of Bold Eyeglasses. We Track Down The Designer of Depp’s Retro Specs.

When you’re in the optometry and optical business, there are two things that you just develop an innate awareness for: People’s eyes and the eyeglasses and sunglasses they put over them.

It becomes almost like a second sense, and after a while you begin to take note of cool eyewear on other people in the same way that Carrie Bradshaw would notice a great pair of Manolos.

Johnny Depp in his Moscot Eyeglasses

While celebrities practically live in their sunglasses, it’s rarer to see them sporting eyeglasses. Jennifer Garner has been known to wear eyeglasses (specifically a pair of Chrome Hearts), but we tend to see fewer eyeglasses on celebrities than we see sunglasses.

But we can now add Johnny Depp to the list of actors embracing great eyewear and doing it in public. A spat of photo ops, magazine spreads and tabloid covers over the past few months have captured People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in a pair of roundish, tortoise-shell specs.

At first, I thought they may have been Tom Ford frames, since Depp is known to own a few pairs of Tom Ford sunglasses. TF has a line of bold acetate frames with a similar shape to the eyeglass frames Depp has been seen in.  But the shape, etching and details were different from the Tom Ford’s we stock in the store.

So this weekend we set out to identify the mysterious Johnny Depp eyeglass frames and with the help of Google and a high-resolution photo of Depp in his eyeglasses, we think we have a positive identification.

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• Urban Optiques sponsoring "Movies At The Marquis" Classic Film Series: http://bit.ly/5w42Cu #detroit #movies #
• First movie will be North by Northwest with Cary Grant and Eva Saint Marie. January movie schedule is here: http://bit.ly/5w42Cu #detroit #
• Um … make that Eva MARIE Saint. My bad. #
• Urban Optiques is looking for a great contract optician (with the potential for full-time hire). DM me for details. #optician #

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• The Visionista's Fall/Winter 09 Fashion Eyewear Trend Report: http://bit.ly/85K3vN #fashion #eyewear #eyeglasses #
• RT: ShoeSmitten http://www.shoehunting.com/find/view/8462/ dazzling! Don't Zanottis rule Anna! Great kept secret…. #
• Looking forward to attending the Detroit Parade Company Hob Nobble Gobble Weds night: http://www.theparade.org/thanksevents.php #
• Anyone else on Twitter attending the Hob Nobble Gobble? Maybe we'll see you there. Now I just have to pick out my glasses. #detroit #
• @StyleCaster Thanks for the RT Matt from Quicken Loans says hello to "Seigs." He said you'd know what that meant. in reply to StyleCaster #
• It's Official! Urban Optiques is sponsoring the "Movies at the Marquis" classic film series at the Marquis Theatre: http://bit.ly/5O6i74 #
• Details on the classic film sponsorship (including the schedule) to come. #
• Our upcoming Black Friday eyewear promotions mentioned in Northville Record: http://bit.ly/5O6i74 http://bit.ly/6jvN7c #
• Urban Optiques Black Friday/Cyber Monday Promotions: http://bit.ly/6k1RmD Avoid the doorbusters & shop in style. #detroit #shopping #
• Sold a pair of Chrome Hearts "Little Classic Ovals" yesterday … it's always a good day when we put a client in a pair of Chromes! #
• Thanksgiving Weekend Sale Still on Through Monday: 30% off all in-stock shades, and 25% off second pair of designer frames/50% second lenses #
• Weekend Special Details: http://www.urbanoptiques.com/2883/black-fridaycyber-monday-designer-eyewear-sunglasses-specials #
• @TheDetroitDiva Are you looking for more? We can probably get you some more binders. Have tons of them! DM me if interested Diva. in reply to TheDetroitDiva #
• Could this be a sign that the economy is rebounding? Black Friday spending up slightly, online spending up 30%: http://bit.ly/6fieuH #
• Our new display of Lanvin-Paris Eyewear is attracting lots of attention. Always good when a new line is a hit: http://bit.ly/4wzfsw #fashion #

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• Sold a pair of Chrome Hearts "Little Classic Ovals" yesterday … it's always a good day when we put a client in a pair of Chromes! #
• Thanksgiving Weekend Sale Still on Through Monday: 30% off all in-stock shades, and 25% off second pair of designer frames/50% second lenses #
• Weekend Special Details: http://www.urbanoptiques.com/2883/black-fridaycyber-monday-designer-eyewear-sunglasses-specials #
• @TheDetroitDiva Are you looking for more? We can probably get you some more binders. Have tons of them! DM me if interested Diva. in reply to TheDetroitDiva #
• Could this be a sign that the economy is rebounding? Black Friday spending up slightly, online spending up 30%: http://bit.ly/6fieuH #
• Our new display of Lanvin-Paris Eyewear is attracting lots of attention. Always good when a new line is a hit: http://bit.ly/4wzfsw #fashion #

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• It's Official! Urban Optiques is sponsoring the "Movies at the Marquis" classic film series at the Marquis Theatre: http://bit.ly/5O6i74 #
• Details on the classic film sponsorship (including the schedule) to come. #
• Our upcoming Black Friday eyewear promotions mentioned in Northville Record: http://bit.ly/5O6i74 http://bit.ly/6jvN7c #
• Urban Optiques Black Friday/Cyber Monday Promotions: http://bit.ly/6k1RmD Avoid the doorbusters & shop in style. #detroit #shopping #

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These five fashion trends straight off the runway will be shaping eyewear this fall and into 2010

We’re seeing five trends in fashion this fall that we think are going to be shaping choices in both eyewear and clothing and accessories through fall and winter.

From big shoulders, to animal prints and Twenties- inspired glamour, the runways this season served up a decidedly eclectic fusion of past, present and future.

Girl Meets Boy

Donna Karan Fall 09 Collection

First, men’s-inspired shapes made a return, including built-up shoulders, tuxedo jackets and narrow fitting blazers.

While we saw early signs of an ’80s revival as far back as 2008 with the resurgence of Ray-Bans and Wayfarers, the presence of so much ’80s-inspired clothing on runways this fall suggests that the decade that brought us “Wall Street”, Madonna and Tom Cruise singing in his underwear in a pair of Ray-Bans has clearly weaved its way into this season’s styles.

For those of you who have been waiting two decades for the return of the 80’s “power suit”,  2009/2010 might finally be the year.

Big, padded shoulders have returned, as well as oversized buttons balanced with long flowing silk scarves.  On eBay we’re seeing vintage ’80s suits from the likes of Dior and YSL get snapped up, so it seems this is one fashion trend that has some legs.

For men, it’s a continuation of some of last year’s ’80s inspired clothing, including the return of solid or striped shirt with white collar, popularized by Michael Douglas’ Gorden Gecko in the 1987 movie Wall Street.  Can suspenders be far behind?

Vogue VO-2584

In terms of matching the “Girl Meets Boy” look with eyewear, you’ll do best to choose a frame with strong geometric shapes and a heavier, more robust materials.

Keep the overt bling to a minimum on these frames, and instead opt for something that incorporates more subtle, integrated embellishments like small crystals, polished metals or unusual textures into the temples.

Pulling off the “Girl Meets Boy” look demands bold, power-eyewear that is balanced with softer, feminine touches.  We like Ray-Ban Wayfarers with this look as well, since they are the quintessential ’80s eyewear.

Ray-Ban RB4140 Wayfarers

Prada PR65HS

For men, pair that solid or striped shirt with the white collar with a pair of classic round Oliver People’s eyeglass frames in gold or silver metals, or a Prada men’s aviator sunglass like the Prada PR 65HS in silver.

Or, depending on your facial structure, we love the bold sophistication of the Tom Ford men’s frame.

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See and Be Seen in Lanvin-Paris Eyewear from Urban Optiques!

We love deliveries at Urban Optiques — especially big, brown boxes from the UPS guy filled with box-upon-box of new eyeglass frames and sunglasses. We get even more excited when the box is filled with a new designer eyewear line that we haven’t previously carried.

So when we received our first shipment of Lavin-Paris eyeglasses and sunglasses this week, the office was filled with “ohhs” and “ahhs” as we unwrapped each these chic, sophisticated frames (and yes, we typically try on each of them while we do it.)

Lanvin Eyewear:  From Paris with Love

Previously unavailable in the United States, getting your hands on a pair of Lanvin eyeglasses or sunglasses meant either jumping a jet to Paris, or calling up that long-lost French pen-pal from grade school and having them ship you a pair.

Luckily, Lanvin-Paris struck a international distribution deal, so this high-quality, very fashionable eyewear line is now available in the U.S.  As soon as we had an opportunity to add Lanvin to our designer collection, we did. From our market research, Urban Optiques is one of the few Metro-Detroit eyewear boutiques to carry Lanvin-Paris eyewear.

Fantastic Eyewear from France’s Oldest Couture House: The Lanvin Story

Fashionistas will already be familiar with the Lanvin-Paris label.

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We Love Stylecaster at Urban Optiques  …  And We Love Their “Fly By Night” Video Even More.

Shopbot and Stylecaster recently released an extremely fun video produced by  N.Y. boutique short-film makers Last Pictures.

What we love about this vid is its gritty, documentary feel  — it’s deliberately unpolished and it works.

There is no doubt that its “MySpace” voyeuristic vibe visually makes the video interesting … but what really amps it up is the choice of music that accompanies  Poppy Delevingne and Isabelle McNally in this video: We can’t get enough of Islands “Switch On” music. This song is completely infectious and it totally captures the whole N.Y.C. vibe perfectly.

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Click Your Ruby Slippers Together for this Classic Hollywood Inspired Sunglass from Badgley Mischka Couture Eyewear

The Badgley Mischka line of couture eyewear occupies a special place in The Visionista’s heart.

I’m not certain what it is, but Badgley Mischka eyewear continues to be one of my favorite luxury sunglass and ophthalmic lines that we offer at Urban Optiques.

While their eyewear line doesn’t generate the buzz of a Chanel or Tom Ford, it really should.

In my opinion, it’s one of the best kept eyewear secrets out there: Badgley Mischka’s eyewear is glamorous and beautifully-constructed and they definitely get “seen.”

Plus, they travel well — I’m currently wearing a gorgeous pair of Badgley Mischka “Marilyn” in pearl (with tiny little, subtle crystals along the temples) and they look amazing with everything from jeans to a well-tailored skirt-suit. I get tons of compliments whenever I have them on.

Which brings me to today’s “Designer Sunglass of the Week”: The Badgley Mischka “Dorothy.”

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Follow the Visionista and Urban Optiques on Twitter

Hot on the heels of the new Urban Optiques website launch and Facebook Fan Page, we’re following up now with Urban Optiques on Twitter.

For those you you who may not be familiar with Twitter, Twitter is a website that allows you to share short messages with “followers” — usually friends, family or people who have shared interests with you.  Think of it as instant messaging meets text messaging meets blogging. Not sure if that helps any, but the best way to understand it is just to set up a free Twitter account.

So why would you want to follow us on Twitter?

Well, we use Twitter to connect together a lot of the the things we are doing around Urban Optiques, in the community and on our website.  We also are planning on using it to keep people up-to-date when we get new frames, spot a cool sunglass, or are running a promotion at Urban Optiques.  We’re even kicking around some special “Twitter-Follower-Only” promotions in the coming months.

If you already are on Twitter, following us is easy. Just go to: www.twitter.com/urbanoptiques and follow us. If you don’t have a Twitter account it takes less than 60 seconds to register and then follow us. Best of all, it’s free.

While you’re there, check out the cool custom Twitter background we put together for Urban Optiques. We’re still working on it, but it’s a pretty good start. As always, feeback is adored, so let us know what you think.