Oliver Goldsmith and Claire Goldsmith
The most famous British eyewear company Oliver Goldsmith was founded over 70 years ago. P. Oliver Goldsmith made frames by hand from a single piece of tortoiseshell, and set up his own company to sell them in 1926. In 1935 Charles Goldsmith entered the family firm. His vision was that glasses couldbecome an item of fashion, especially sunglasses. Until then, sunglasses were any old pair of specs with tinted lenses. Charles designed glasses that were made to be sunglasses. His first two customers for the new “sunspecs” were the most prestigious stores in London: Fortnum & Mason and Simpsons of Piccadilly. They sold out within a week. Now, 20 historic Oliver Goldsmith frame designs from the 1950’s through the 1970’s are re-issued each year, reminding us of the slick innovation and legendary styles of decades past, often made famous by the actors, rock stars and royals who wore them. Visage is carrying incredible sunglasses by Oliver Goldsmith; they are fabulous enough for the world’s hippest jet sets, substantial and marvelously crafted pieces.
Claire Goldsmith is the new story of the Goldsmith family. This collection contains the first completely new designs by Goldsmiths in 25 years. The CG 2010 LEGACY line is classic and bold, with similar DNA to Oliver Goldsmith, but the CG brand is rife with new ideas and innovations. Claire is emphatic is that great brands communicate through great design. None of her new collection carries outlandish logos or embellishments. Instead, contoured temples and defined lines are the signature style. AMAZING frames!
Anne et Valentin
Distributed from Toulouse, France, this handmade collection of eyewear is made primarily of cellulose acetate-a cotton derivative enabling the frame to maintain a natural and warm feeling. Introduced in a period when 80% of eyewear was made of metal, Anne et Valentin’s uncompromising selection of colors and patterns made them a joyous, imaginative and inviting collection. Their frames continue to stand out from others with their surprising color combinations and laminates with a variety of unique textures encouraging individuality and communication. “We are born different from one another, loving people in their multitude.” -Anne et Valentin
Bevel
A witty Brit based in New York and a true Midwesterner from Kansas City have created a fashion eyewear collection for the “cognoscenti”. Bevel designs gorgeous frames with 4mm-thick titanium and a delicious array of colored plastics, Double- and triple-laminated zyl acetate is used in their line, as well as striped and grainy colors. The frames are finished and polished many times by hand-craftsmen in Japan. Customers seeking smaller titaniums and zyls will appreciate the vast assortment of styles. These frames are also perfect for people who usually stick with a classic look, but want to bump up the style factor a bit. http://www.bevelspecs.com/
Chrome Hearts
Visage is one of the very few carriers of this brand in the Northwest. Chrome Hearts is a total pioneer in beautiful spectacles that have a rock ‘n’ roll and neo-goth edge. A New York company, Chrome Hearts designs are hallmarked by highly detailed, ornately patterned metalwork on the temples, with many fine details to mesmerize (or intimidate) a viewer at close range. This line is very popular with celebrities; Lou Reed, Cher, and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols are but a few members of Chrome Hearts’ celebrity clientele. Chrome Hearts has specialized in motorcycling eyewear, including a line for Harley Davidson, and this heritage shows. The classic ‘Chrome Hearts’ look is synonymous with the classic rocker look: well worn, well-fitting black leather pants, a snug white tank tee, and chunky, over-sized medieval jewelry. All products from this brand are known for having both stylistic and literal weight.
ic! berlin
German ingenuity prevails again with this spectacular collection of 100% stainless steel frames. The new line combines the steel temple and hinge construction with cutting-edge, ultra-smart plastic shapes. Hand-cut and assembled without any solder points or screws, these creations amaze everyone who has the opportunity to try them on. Designed for daily use but tough enough for rigorous activities, this uniquely assembled frame is virtually unbreakable. Designers Phillip, Ralph and Harald have elevated fashion eyewear and frame technology to a new level. This is one company that is not afraid to be different, yet unwilling to waver from their perfected signature concepts. http://www.ic-berlin.de/
Visage has new frames in the store from ic! berlin’s steel and plastic lines. The new ic! berlin plastics line features incredibly well-designed acetate frames with lightweight steel temples. The shapes are totally original, yet refined. The metals feature their unrivaled signature – surgical-grade, flexible stainless steel with screwless spring-hinge insert construction. If you have never tried on a pair of these precision, Berlin-made frames, you really should. Visage is one of very few stores on the West Coast that can order ic! berlin frames directly from their rep in whatever color and style you desire.
L.A. Eyeworks
This small and unwaveringly fun American frames company has been handcrafting trendsetting frames for decades. Archetypal shapes are meticulously modernized. Vibrant colors complete the contemporary statement.
Lindberg
The ultra-lightweight and minimalist Scandinavian designs of Lindberg are always a customer favorite, especially for those who must always have their glasses on. These frames are expertly crafted, durable and whisper-light. Browse their frame styles here. Lindberg has been in business since 1969 and always demonstrates typically superior Danish design. This eyewear company has won piles of international design awards every year for decades, from jurors around the world.
Masunaga
Company founder Gozaemon Masunaga brought skilled craftsmen from Osaka and Tokyo with the ambition of setting the optical industry solidly in place in Fukui, Japan, in the early 1900’s. In order to raise the quality standards of the eyewear made in Fukui, Gozaemon established a guild-like system in which full-fledged craftsmen could create their own businesses. Owing to this system, the number of eyeglass craftsmen increased gradually, and the optical industry spread all over Fukui. There are as many as 200 manual processes involved in making an optical frame. Masunaga Optical is the only company in Japan that has a factory in charge of all processes from raw materials to production and finish in an integrated way. Check out their craft and the latest collection at http://www.masunaga1905.com.
Maui Jim
Hawaii, 1980: On the beaches of Maui, a small company began making sunglasses to combat the fierce glare and harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, to protect the eyes of active surfers and beachgoers. Maui Jim was a pioneer of polarized lens technology, a revolution in glare reduction that any watersports enthusiast now swears by. Maui Jim sunglasses became available outside of Hawaii in 1991, and the company continues to further their lens and frame innovation for the comfort of active people. These extremely comfortable and stylish sunglasses use the finest lenses available, and are a must for any surfer, fisherman, golfer, tennis player or motorcyclist. http://www.mauijim.com
Orgreen
Visage is always choosing wonderful new frames from Orgreen. The finishes and shapes of the titanium frames these brands create are like nothing you’ve seen before. This brand integrates the height of style with comfort and ease-of-wear – in sleek titanium. You may spy the doctor sporting Orgreens as she walks in and out of the exam room… Orgreen’s website is http://www.orgreen.dk
Salt Optics
Salt Optics is about simple, timeless design, impeccable quality, useful technology, hand-craftsmanship and a pure fit. Salt is driven by a minimalist sensibility in all things. Salt was established in 2006 in Southern California. The active Californian lifestyle spawned frames that support a fashionable lifestyle while also being technically advanced in comfort and fit. Salt makes both spectacles and sunglasses. Check out some of their frame designs here.
Theo
Quirky and humorous with their outrageous shapes and rainbow palette, Theo eyewear has redefined “daring”. Metal frames that appear to be wrong-side-up, so thin and flat they look almost like origami… curls, swirls and pretzel-shapes… all part of the artistry from this amazing collection handmade in Belgium. Modern frame technology combined with envelope-pushing designs make Theo a brand that boldly goes where many collections dare not. http://www.theo.be/
And more… Visage also has more incredible spectacles in the store from the bar-none luxe Kieselstein-Cord, and outrageously hip, neo-punk and rock star-chic specs and shades by Funk. For all sunglasses, please ask about the amazing glare reduction of polarized lenses! Polarized lenses are a must-have for being outdoors in the summer, particularly on the water.