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Buyer’s Blog - New Tom Davies Limited Editions!

One of the things we love about the Tom Davies collection is that it is always changing!  Every couple of months he releases a new group of limited edition frames, each made in very small quantities—usually only 50 to 100 of each design, but sometimes as few as 5.  We hand-select what we think are the most interesting, unique, pretty or innovative of the group and bring them to you!  Many of the limited edition pieces are created in colors not available in the main collection.  Here is a small sampling of new limited editions!  Notice the amazing white and tortoise multi-color laminate.  The tortoise front is carved away to expose the white layer beneath, creating the look of second frame in relief!  It is set off by a subtle turquoise hinge detail.The silver titanium sunglasses are part of the “Rock Star” series.  Bold in looks but surprisingly lightweight, this is one of only 5 pieces made!  This series is based on a frame that Tom custom-made for Matthew Bellamy from the rock band “Muse”.  It surely won’t last long! Some of the limited editions are more subtle, like the pretty pink frame with the slight cat-eye shape.  As with all Tom Davies frames, any of the limited editions can be customized, modified and ordered to fit you precisely!  Stop in frequently to see our ever-changing collection!Also, don’t forget our Oliver Peoples Trunk Show this Saturday from 11-5.  Oliver Peoples is a very large collection, so it is the only time you will be able to see everything in the collection at one time—all sizes and colors, too!  Also, watch this space for an announcement about a special théo event coming in June!

Buyer's Blog: New Product from Entourage of 7!

Finally! One of the products that had us the most excited at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas last year has arrived, and it is as cool as we remember!  One of our favorite independent eyewear companies, Entourage of 7, has created a collection of beta titanium that is everything we expect—lightweight, clean, flexible and comfortable.  Handcrafted in Japan, the colors range from subtle to bold, and all feature a comfortable acetate temple cover in a contrasting color.The essence of cool, the dream of Entourage of 7 was to create a luxury eyewear label that would, like their home city of Los Angeles, constantly reinvent itself, always be at the forefront of design and technology and always be new.  This new collection of frames is a complete departure from their previous looks, and we at Eye Elegance applaud their innovation, and cannot wait to show you these frames in person!  We are sure that when we see Jakob from Entourage at Vision Expo East in two weeks he will have even more fantastic things to show us!

Buyer's Blog: New Arrivals—Oliver Peoples Vintage and David Yurman Men

It’s February, and new pieces from the Spring collections continue to arrive!  We are particularly excited about these two!First is the Limited Edition M4 from the Oliver Peoples Vintage Collection.  The M4 was one of the original styles introduced to the Oliver Peoples brand.  Like the original, the re-release is handcrafted in Japan and features scroll filigree detail on the eyewire.  The metal design is plated with antique colors and offered as both an optical and a sunglass with vintage glass lenses.  The M4 is a classic addition to the Oliver Peoples Circa 1987 Original Vintage Collection.Next is the newest offering in menswear from David Yurman.  We have been anxiously awaiting new men’s frames from DY for some time, and these do not disappoint!  The two optical shapes and onesunglass style come in classic colors—Black, Tortoise and Olive Quartz.  All of the frames feature the classic DY dog tag hinge detail, this time in titanium with a richly subtle alligator pattern plated in Palladium for a bright contrast, or in Black or Gunmetal PVD for a more subtle look.We would love to see you in person and help you to update your look for Spring!  Call or stop in any time!

Buyer's Blog

Look at this!One of our favorite customers recently ordered a custom frame from Tom Davies, and what a beauty it is!  We have a version of this frame in somewhat more muted colors, but she loves color, and had another idea for her frame. As you can see, the result is a combination of a beautiful iridescent blue and vibrant Kelly green. The blue and yellow swirled temples really complete the frame!  This is a one-of-a-kind creation in titanium and acetate, and comes with the customer’s name engraved inside the temple. Stop in and let us create a unique design for you, too!Robert Marc Limited EditionsWe are eagerly preparing for our Robert Marc trunk show on February 9, (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and haveJUST received some of the “Parrot Cay” Resort Limited Edition collection! The beautiful, unique colors that Robert has created for this collection truly have to be seen in person to be appreciated. We sold two of the sunglasses (both in the “Iguana” color!) the same day we put them on the shelf, so don’t miss your opportunity to see these frames in person—we are sure that inventories will not last long!We hope to see you soon!Tim

Buyer's Blog: Merry Christmas from Eye Elegance

As I reflect this week on the year past, with all of its triumphs and tragedies, I simply wanted to take this time and space to wish all of our friends a very happy Christmas, and a wonderful 2013.  My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones in Newtown this week, as well as all who lost loved ones in Aurora, CO and all over the country.  These events serve as a reminder that we should use this time to love our families, appreciate what we have, and enjoy our lives.  From our family at Eye Elegance to you, wherever you are—Merry Christmas, and have a happy, prosperous and joyful 2013!Back to glasses in 2013!Tim

Buyer's Blog: New Lindberg Precious

We at Eye Elegance have always been proud of our association with Lindberg Eyewear.  We consider it to be the finest titanium eyewear in the world, but did you know that we also offer the Lindberg Precious Collection?  This collection of eyewear is only offered to the finest eyewear boutiques in the world.  Lindberg Precious is manufactured from the highest quality precious metals, in combination with rare and luxurious materials such as buffalo horn, diamonds, and now the most unusual we’ve seen—mammoth tusk!The two newest pieces we have received are shown here.  First is a beautiful 18 karat yellow gold piece with solid carved buffalo horn temples.  You can see the natural shading of the horn color—a blend of pale golden fading into a dark brown.  Horn is naturally lightweight and lustrous.  Being a natural material no two pieces are exactly alike!Second is the most unique piece we have seen. Solid 18 karat white gold is highlighted by dark, lustrous brown horn inlaid with small pieces of mammoth tusk!  The effect is beautiful.  This is your opportunity to own—and wear—a piece of pre-history!  Mammoth tusks have long been collected from the extinct beasts buried deep in the permafrost of northern Europe and North America.  The ivory from this source is beautiful, and does not cause harm to modern, living species!Please stop into the store to view our entire Lindberg Precious collection, and to enquire about pricing.

New Arrival—Tom Davies Limited Editions!

In April we announced the arrival of a new frame collection—Tom Davies Bespoke eyewear.  The response to the collection has been so great that we have added a new division of Tom Davies, his Limited Edition Collection.  These are frames designed by Tom to be produced in a small run limited to 50 to 100 of each frame.  He uses colors and materials that are unique to the Limited Edition collection and his full range of materials including cotton acetate, single- and double-block titanium.  Each frame is made by hand in his own workshop using traditional techniques.  Each frame takes 16 hours or more of craftsmanship!What’s more, the Limited Edition frames can be custom-tailored to fit you (Bespoke customization), and made in any of the colors and textures available in the collection for no additional cost!  Advanced customization (Couture customization), including changing hinges, thickness of material and other specific details can be done for a small additional fee.  All Bespoke or Couture customized frames come with your name engraved inside the temple.We have received a few of the Limited Edition frames this week, and more are on the way!  Come in to Eye Elegance today and let us show you the world of possibilities available to you with the Tom Davies collection!

Buyer's Blog: Transitions Vantage is here!

A couple of months ago I announced the news of a major new technology from the people at Transitions Optical, and the Transitions Vantage lenses are now available!  Many of you may be familiar with the color-changing lenses from Transitions, but this is something completely new—lenses that polarize as they darken.  The lenses have a slight tint indoors, and are non-polarized.  Upon exposure to UV light they quickly begin to darken, and the darker they get, the more polarized they become, blocking more of the blinding glare that can make Summer in Houston so uncomfortable.  I have started wearing a pair recently, and I love them!  They are available across a large range of materials, in single vison and progressive designs, so stop in soon and set us show you this amazing new technology today!Website improvementsWe have been hard at work adding more photos and content to our website!  If you haven’t explored it yet, please do, at www.eyeelegance.com.  Also, we are working on a You Tube channel of our very own that will feature product videos and informational material from our partners!Blast from the PastThis edition’s classic frame is the Indian 1920, complete with its’ original sun clip.  Indian was one of the early leaders in the luxury  optical arena, and this frame shows off why—a combination of white and yellow 22k gold-plating on delicately engraved eyewires and temples.  The slightly octagonal shape is at the same time classic and modern.  This frame looks just as perfect and in-style as it did when it was released nearly 20 years ago.  Call for pricing!Finally, our long-overdue newsletter is in the final stages—watch for it in your inboxes coming soon!Tim

Buyer's Blog: Judith Leiber Trunk Show!

Eye Elegance is excited to bring you a trunk show featuring frames by Judith Leiber.  A premiere American luxury brand, Judith Leiber has redefined accessories with designs that are as timeless as they are elegant.  Aligned with the brand’s world-renowned handbags, this collection is handcrafted luxury drown of the finest materials and design inspiration.  Each product is executed with meticulous attention to detail and flawless finishing.Judith Leiber creations are peerless in their artistry and craftsmanship.  Nearly every First Lady dating back to 1953 has carried custom-made Judith Leiber bags to the US Presidential inauguration ceremonies, and Judith Leiber minaudieres are part of the permanent design collections at leading museums, including The Smithsonian and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, as well as our own Houston Museum of Fine Arts.  Also a red carpet favorite, Judith Leiber is truly an iconic American brand.Please join us on Saturday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to view the entire Judith Leiber eyewear collection, including all of the new releases for 2012!Blast from the Past!This week’s classic frame is the S80 Sunglass from Robert LaRoche!  Strong geometric shapes and unusual details were the hallmark of the Robert LaRoche collection, and this sunglass really delivers.  Lustrous acetate in a combination of matte and shiny finishes, stainless steel details and genuine hand-finished rivets make this a hand-made work of art—I think I could see this on Lady Gaga, don’t you?  Contact the store for pricing on this hard-to-find hand-made work of art!

Buyer’s Blog: Buyer Beware - Internet Rx Eyewear Compliance

Inevitably when you assemble a group of opticians, the conversation will turn to the problem of online eyewear sales.  Being highly trained optical professionals, we have difficulty understanding why patients would put their visual health at risk in order to save a few dollars.  But the internet is certainly here to stay, so researchers at the Pacific College of Optometry recently investigated how well prescription eyewear being sold in the internet complied with optical tolerances (is the prescription correct?) and impact resistance requirements.The researchers ordered a total of 200 pairs of glasses from 10 of the most visited internet vendors.  The eyewear consisted of differing lens and frame materials, lens designs and options and refractive conditions so they reflected US distributions.Of the 200 ordered, 154 were received (meaning that 23% were never even delivered!).  Of the 154 received, 28.6% had at least one lens that failed the Rx tolerance standard (the prescription was wrong), and in 22.7% at least one lens failed impact testing.  Overall 44.8% of spectacles failed at least one parameter of optical or impact testing.The study went on to say that a number of the eyeglasses were completely incorrect.  For example, lens options ordered (like photochromic or anti-reflective) were omitted, and a pair ordered as single-vision was received as bifocals.  Only one online vendor wanted to verify the prescription before filling it.The researchers concluded that “Nearly half of prescription spectacles delivered directly by online vendors did not meet either the optical requirements of the patient’s visual needs or the physical requirements for the patient’s safety.”  This study indicates how difficult is it to get internet eyewear sellers to follow industry standards as many of them are in other countries and not subject to US laws or regulations.The result of improperly made spectacles may be as slight as mild to severe eyestrain, or as severe as the inability to use the glasses because the Rx is incorrect. More importantly, the fact that they fail impact resistance is more severe—a broken lens could potentially result in the complete loss of an eye.  For this reason I would NEVER order children’s eyewear on line at a very minimum.Please consider that in addition to being a fashion statement, your glasses are also a medical device.  Your optician takes very precise measurements to ensure your visual comfort and the precision of the lenses.  Most people would not consider ordering dentures or prosthetic limbs over the internet and trusting that an online order-taker can fit them properly!  At Eye Elegance we have the latest in digital optical measuring devices, and we can also professionally fit , adjust and repair your eyeglasses—something NO online vendor can do!Coming up next—the report from our trip to New York for Vision Expo East!  We will try to share lots of pictures from the event, and I will update  you on trends and new arrivals.  Also, our End-of-Season Sale starts this week!  Look for updates in the mail, in your inbox, and on our Facebook page!Tim

***Choosing the Correct Glasses for the Job***

Having one pair of eyeglasses to solve all of our visual needs would be great, but depending on your specific needs, you may find that having a second (or third!) pair solves all of your visual needs better.  This is especially true when we are over 40, and presbyopia, the inability to focus up close, begins.  A pair of glasses with progressive lenses may be great for most day-to-day activities, but people who do a lot of work at intermediate distances, like musicians or people who work on a computer all day may benefit from an occupational lens that is specially designed for work at those distances (usually 24-36 inches).At Eye Elegance we offer the Essilor Computer lens just for those people.  Whereas a typical progressive puts emphasis on large areas for distance and near correction, the Essilor Computer lens puts the concentration on the Intermediate correction zone.  This lens offers a large, wide intermediate area for clear vision at the computer, a wide near zone at the bottom of the lens for close-up work, and a very small area at the top of the lens for distance viewing when you need it.  You actually tip your head down to access the distance portion of the lens.  These glasses are meant to be worn at your workspace, but not for driving or any other use when you primarily want distance vision.In addition to computer glasses, someone who does a lot of reading may find that although a progressive lens is best most of the time, they appreciate having a reading-only pair of glasses made in their prescription, also.  At Eye Elegance, we are happy to explain the benefits of all of these lens options to help you make the best decision for your specific needs.  Tim

Buyer's Blog

I am often asked “why is this plastic frame more expensive than frames for other companies?”  The answer lies in the type of plastic used by high-end spectacle manufacturers, and how those companies use that material.The type of plastic used in better-quality frames is called zylonite (zyl), which is also known as Cellulose Acetate.  The best quality zyl available comes from the Italian company Mazzuchelli.  Mazzuchelli zyl has been in the plastic industry since 1849.  Their zyl originates from cotton fibers or flakes and wood flakes.  The best materials begin with 100% cotton.  Cellulose Acetates are tough with a deep gloss and high transparency.  They possess a “feel” which is different from other plastics which is often described as more “natural”.  Cellulose Acetate is combined with plasticizers to create a material which can be heat softened, molded and easily adjusted without cracking or becoming brittle.  Larger manufacturers often use these qualities to injection-mold their frames.  Smaller, exclusive companies such as Face a Face and Lafont work with Mazzuchelli to create exclusive colorations and pattern combinations.  Once those colors are created, only the company which designed them will be able to use them.  They then use a more traditional method to create each frame by hand.  The frames are then polished in tumblers for up to two weeks.  Creating each frame one-at-a-time by hand using materials unique to the individual manufacturer gives an end product which is much more exclusive, beautiful, and therefore more expensive!Few plastics have such a ling pedigree as Cellulose Acetate, and being made entirely from renewable resources it certainly has a long way to run. You can see a video of Mazzuchelli Zyl being produced here.Until next time!Tim

***New Arrival—Oliver Peoples Vintage***

Eye Elegance is proud to introduce an exclusive collection from Oliver Peoples, the Oliver Peoples Vintage collection. Larry Leight, the founder and chief designer for Oliver Peoples was inspired to explore his personal archive of original Oliver Peoples designs after being encouraged by numerous requests from friends, family and loyal customers.  During this exploration, he rediscovered several iconic, brand-defining styles.  Among these treasures were some of his favorites, including the first style introduced in the Oliver Peoples 1987 debut collection, the OP-505.  The 505 featured filigreed antique metal temple and bridge detailing.  Others were the OP-1955, a unique style recognized for its contrasting frame front and temple colors, and the O’Malley, inspired by former LA Dodgers president Peter O’Malley, which is one of the most recognizable frames in Oliver Peoples history.Convinced that interest in these classic styles is just as strong today as it was over twenty years ago, he wanted to make some available to select customers.  Since very few of the original pieces exist, and because it is essential that the same attention to detail, craftsmanship and the integrity of the original styles be retained, he reached out to the same Japanese factory to reproduce a limited quantity.We at Eye Elegance are proud to be one of the select few boutiques to offer this limited edition collection of twelve distinct pieces.  Call or stop in today to see them!  They are a must-have for the connoisseurs who have endlessly supported Oliver Peoples, and who continue to inspire them!

***Don’t forget the Etnia Barcelona Trunk Show***

Tomorrow, April 30, 2011 we will be hosting a trunk show from Etnia Barcelona.  If you are a fan of beautiful eyeglass frames with outstanding color and pattern choices, don’t miss this show!  We will have food and wine, and the representative from Etnia Barcelona will be here with every frame in the current collection, in every color!  Need sunglasses?  Etnia has classic sun shapes in the vivid colors they are known for.  We will be offering special pricing for in-stock AND SPECIAL ORDERS for one day only!  We would love to see you there. Don’t forget, our End-of-Season sale is still happening, too.  There are great values still to be had from many of our frame lines, so come in soon.‘til next week,Tim