Just in time for the holidays and the end of the Flex spending year, we’re thrilled to announce an exclusive, day-long opportunity for Metro-Detroit to get an inside look at the latest Chrome Hearts eyeglasses and sunglasses.

On Saturday, December 11th from 11 am to 3 pm, Spencer Walling of Chrome Hearts/Optical Shop International will be on location at Urban Optiques with the new 2011 Chrome Hearts Eyewear Collection.

We previewed these frames last month at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas and were extremely excited about the new designs.  So excited, in fact, that knew we had to get these frames into the boutique and in-front of Metro-Detroit eyewear and fashion lovers in advance of the new models actually shipping early next year.

Even better, Spencer will be bringing selections from the Chrome Hearts “Jewel Collection” — which includes custom eyewear featuring precious metals like 24K gold, sterling silver and rubies, diamonds, black diamonds,  and sapphires.

While we have carried a small number of these ultra-premium models in the past, December’s trunk show will be a rare opportunity to experience the larger Diamond Collection first hand. It will also provide a chance to do some early holiday shopping and light up the eyes of the eyewear lover in your life with a pair customized, jewelery-grade sunglasses or eyeglasses.

The Chrome Hearts Eyewear Trunk Show open house will run from 11 am to 3 pm and will be followed later that night by an invitation-only private cocktail reception and media preview.

If you pre-register for the open house, you’ll be entered to win a pair of Chrome Hearts “Baby Beast” sunglasses, as well as one of three Motor City Denim designer tees by Detroit fashion designer and Project Runway alum, Joe Faris. You can register here.

For details, or to request an invite to the private event, please contact us at 248.347-9090 or email us at seebeseen@urbanoptiques.com

Yes, people really do win those giveaway contests.

Just ask Jamie Henderson of Detroit, who scored herself a pair of super-lux Special Edition Badgley Mischka “Boyd” suns with 18K white gold lenses from Urban Optiques as part of September’s 944 Detroit Swag giveway.

Check out some pics we snapped of Jamie in her new shades.  Love ‘em on you Jamie! Congrats!

Just in time for the Fall eyewear buying season, we just received the first shipment of the latest and hottest Chrome Hearts eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Big, bold, retro-inspired acetate frames continue to be hot, hot, hot … and the first selections of the season that we received from luxury eyewear maker Chrome Hearts provide you with some amazing new eyewear options that just can’t be found anywhere else in Metro-Detroit.

We were so excited about these new 2010 Chrome Hearts models that we snapped a few pictures to get you as fired up about these designs as we are.  We’ll be adding another 15-20 additional pieces over the next few weeks, so if you don’t see something in here yet that makes your heart skip a beat (which we think is unlikely) –  keep checking back … you will.

In April we teased all of you with a promise that the “Maria Sherapova” Sunglasses from Tag Heuer were about to arrive at Urban Optiques.

Okay, it took a little longer than expected, but we just received the first Maria Sherapova signature sunglass in from Tag Heuer and it’s amazing:

Sporty ladies are going to love everything about this fab slightly-oversized acetate frame from Tag Heuer.  To us it whispers drinks courtside after a hard doubles match or top-down in the convertible with the wind in your hair on a Sunday afternoon.  A cute tennis outfit can’t hurt. While it’s definitely a sporty frame — it’s not a sports-frame — meaning we’d advise against wearing it during your tennis match (unless you want to see your precious suns in pieces.) This piece is all about the pre-and-after game.

Maria herself helped design this sunglass and it’s the first piece to be released in the new Maria Sherapova Eyewear Collection from Tag Heuer — the luxury watch brand’s first collection of eyewear specifically designed for  women. Look for a full optical line of women’s eyewear from Tag Heuer to debut later this year.

The Maria Sherapova sunglass comes in black or tortoise and can be fitted with prescription lenses.

Just in time for the Fall eyewear season, we picked up a 3/4 page Q&A in the Northville Record!

Not only were we thrilled with the coverage, but we are also extremely pleased with how well it represents who we are, what we do and what we believe sets us apart from nearly every other Metro-Detroit eyewear boutique and optometrist.

Check it out (click on the image for larger version):

Accessorizing eyewear with other pieces in your wardrobe is often less about the eyewear, and more about the rest of the outfit.

Today’s look, which again features the Loree Rodkin Hunter Special  Edition sunglasses, is the perfect example.

The first words that usually come out of people’s mouths when they see the Loree Rodkin Eyewear Collection is “edgy” or “gothic.”  And it’s true:  Loree’s distinct style of jewelry and eyewear design is rife with daggers, skulls, serpentine embellishments and crosses.

So you might be tempted to think the only way to wear her jewelry or eyewear is with a pair of leather pants and stilettos.

But as many of Loree Rodkin’s devotees will attest, her designs are combined with formal wear all of the time.  Watch the red carpet at any Hollywood or major fashion event, and you’ll likely see at least one luminary wearing Loree’s jewelry alongside their couture dress.  A quick glance at Loree Rodkin’s press book will settle any lingering doubts you might have.

The key to accessorizing the Loree Rodkin Eyewear line is to treat it like jewelry. When stylists put their clients in Loree Rodkin jewelry, they will typically use it either as a surprising contrast against an elegant or chic outfit, or will use it to amplify an already edgy look.  Because the designs are so striking, a little bit of Loree Rodkin goes a long way.

Just to prove it, we put together a look today with the Loree Rodkin Hunter that is night-and-day from the last pairing we did.

For this outfit, we built everything around a Derek Lam wool crepe dress from Saks.  While the jewelry, shoes and handbag all play off from the browns and silvers in the Hunter sunglasses, this is a daytime look that most women could pull off.  The Report Signature booties could easily be swapped with this pair of Stuart Weitzman croc slingback, the Bally Eddi pumps or L.A.M.B. Finsburys if you wanted to tone things down even more.

Of course, the real icing on the cake are the Hunters, which give this fairly conservative, but still chic, ensemble just a little bit of danger — especially when paired up with the John Hardy Naga head ring, stainless steel leather cuff bracelet and truly amazing Donald J Pilner chain satchel.

Remember, we’re giving away a pair of these exact Loree Rodkin Hunter sunglasses as part of this month’s 944 Detroit Swag.  So register now for your chance to win them.

Tell us what you think ….

A Little Bit Mild: Featuring the Hunter Sunglasses from Loree Rodkin.

Featured Accessories

• Report Signature Vandalia Bootie
• Donald J Pilner Adela Chain Satchel
• Leather and Stainless Steel Cuff Bracelet
• Derek Lam Wool Crepe Dress
• John Hardy Naga Head Sterling Silver Ring
• Loree Rodkin Hunter Special Edition Sunglasses with 18K White Gold Lenses

You’ll remember in late June that a brand new Badgley Mischka sunglass model — the Steve — was spotted on NBA forward Danny Granger at Sama’s West Hollywood boutique.  While the model hadn’t been publicly-released yet, we called up Sama and asked if we could get our hands on two of the Steves for ourselves.

We loved the big, bold frame — especially when coupled with the special edition 24K yellow gold and 18k white gold flash coated lenses from Sama.  The first of the Badgley Mischka Steve sunglasses arrived this week at Urban Optiques and all we can say is “wow.”

Guys, understand that this is not a sunglass for the man who wants to fade into the crowd. Nor is it for the faint of heart.

There is no way that you can put on the Steve and not get noticed.  It’s a very sexy sunglass, made all the sexier by the brilliant genuine 24K gold flash coating on the lenses. We see this working its magic best paired with a fantastic, custom-tailored suit — but Danny Granger shows that you can also pull it off with workout gear (not recommending this, just saying …)

The Badgley Mischka Steve is so new, in fact, that there’s a good chance that whoever buys the first pair will be one of only a handful of lucky men to be first seen in this very cool sunglass.  Will it be you?

Check out the pictures below that we snapped of the Badgley Mischka Steve in the boutique this week.

Badgley Mischka Steve Sunglasses

As we mentioned earlier in the week, Urban Optiques has partnered with 944 Detroit Magazine to give away a pair of fab Loree Rodkin eyeCouture Special Edition “Hunter”  Sunglasses with 18K white gold lenses as part of 944’s new “Detroit Swag” feature.

I won’t go into all the reasons that these are amazing sunglasses worth every cent of their $1,200 price tag (okay, I will: They have genuine hand-cut calfskin leather inserts, 18K gold couture lenses and, of course, the jewelry-grade sterling silver Loree Rodkin signature skulls at the temples.)

The real question on everyone’s mind is how do I wear them?

So to provide some inspiration, we’re putting together five looks this month ranging from mild, to a little bit wild — to completely wild — to show you how easy it is to accessorize these super-lux aviators.

This is a unisex frame, so be patient men … we’ll provide some looks for you also. But today we’re going to start with a cool, urban look that combines the Special Edition Loree Rodkin Hunter with a pair of Alice + Olivia seamed biker pants, Brooke Western Snake Tee, and a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti pumps.

We also tossed in some great accessories that play off from the leather, sterling silver and platinum finish on the Hunter sunglasses, including a vintage Chanel ring, Sonora Leather bracelet and dog-tag style monogrammed charm from Helen Ficalora (you can customize it with your initial.)

All of the elements of the ensemble (minus the Loree Rodkin sunglasses) are available at Shopbop.com.

To enter the 944 Detroit/Urban Optiques giveaway and have a chance at winning the Special Edition Loree Rodkin Hunter sunglasses, visit the 944 Detroit Swag Microsite.

A Little Bit Wild

A few weeks ago, Brian Glascow at Sama Eyewear swore us to secrecy when he shared a new Heart of Gold sunglass variation that Sheila Vance and the Sama Team had been hard at work on for months.

This was going to be a very special sunglass, Brian explained, with an extremely limited run: Sama was producing only 35 of these sunglasses, and just 10 of them were going to be available to the public through Sama’s small, exclusive network of independent optical boutiques.  The remainder would be available for purchase only at the Destination: Sama Beverly Hills, Rome, St. Louis and West Hollywood Boutiques and to a small, inner circle of Sama loyalists.

That’s right: There are only 35 of these sunglasses in the world.

When Brian sent us photos of the new Heart of Gold Regal we were floored. Featuring five microns of 18K white gold over titanium and genuine “purple velvet” Swarovski crystals at the temples, the new Limited Edition Heart of Gold Regal sunglasses melted our hearts.

So we advanced ordered two.

Two out of the ten available to independent Sama retailers, and two out of only 35 in the world.

It doesn’t get much more exclusive than that.

Our two Sama Heart of Gold Regals arrived yesterday at Urban Optiques and they were just as beautiful as in the pictures.  If you are a jewelry lover, you’ll adore these suns.

Like the other Heart of Gold sunglasses, the Regal features the distinctive “coin” etching on the temples and a double-hinge which makes them not only less prone to stress fractures and wear, but also improve the comfort of the sunglasses.

We still haven’t decided what we’ll do with the second pair.

We love them so much that we are thinking we put one on display for our clients to buy, and keeping the second in reserve just for ourselves.  It’s unlikely we’ll be able to acquire additional pieces in the future, so it’s first come, first serve on this amazing sunglass.

Sama: Eyewear With a Heart

Even better, when you buy the Sama Heart of Gold Regal, 100% of Sama’s net profits on the sale of the sunglass are donated to the Betty Ford Center to help treat teen and young adult drug addiction.

Why the Betty Ford Center?

Because in 1997, Sama founder and lead designer Sheila Vance lost her 19 year old son, Sam Vance, to heroine experimentation while he was a freshman at UCLA.

Wanting to change Hollywood and the fashion industries portrayal of “Heroine Chic” as sexy — as well as offer help to teens and their families struggling with drug addiction — Sheila Vance literally founded Sama Eyewear as a feeder to her non-profit Sam Vance Foundation.

We personally love that that Sheila Vance and Sama take a substantial portion of their profits and use it for good.  It’s their reason for being and something they don’t compromise on.  Sama has rock-solid principles:  For example, they refuse to participate in the “pay for placement” of eyewear that so many other eyewear brands dump millions of dollar into. It runs counter to their foundation’s mission and they just won’t do it.

This makes it even more remarkable that so many celebrities and movie stylists choose Sama. They don’t get the frames for free: They buy them freely themselves.

The Heart of Gold Regal is $1,587 and includes a certificate of authenticity, custom leather carrying case and a limited edition Heart of Gold microfiber lens cloth.

The final look in our “Sama Heart of Gold Sunglasses: Five Ways Over Five Days“ Style Series is all about nature.

We centered the entire look around the beautifully light and airy purple and orange Diane Von Furstenburg “Layly” Tiger dress, which puts a new, colorful twist on this season’s continued obsession with animal prints.

We tried to carry the “Au Naturale” theme through the entire look, choosing accessories that utilized natural materials like wood and cork:  Purple D Squared wood platform heels, a Tahari cork clutch and a wood and gold bangle bracelet to finish it off.

Of course, there are also the Sama Heart of Gold sunglasses, which complement the rich, royal oranges and purples that dominate the ensemble.

Enjoy!

Au Naturale

You’ve Seen this Look, Now See the Rest!

Don’t forget to check out the other four looks we put together with the Sama Heart of Gold sunglasses:

• Look One: Guilded Pleasures
• Look Two: Platinum Play
• Look Three: Day to Night
• Look Four: Street Scene
• Look Five: Au Naturale