From the editor
The word “luxury” is defined in the Oxford
dictionary as a “great comfort or elegance,
especially when involving a great expense.” A celebrity or professional athlete wearing a
certain frame can also thrust it into the luxury
classification.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary, meanwhile,
says luxury is an “indulgence in something that
provides pleasure, satisfaction or ease.” This is always a fun issue to put together
because it provides a glimpse into the styles and
details that are en vogue right now in eyewear.
While luxury and great expense often go hand-
in-hand in the fashion world, that’s not always
the case when it comes to eyewear. You will see frames in this issue with innovative
laser-cut detailing, rhinestones or other jewels
on the temples, along with frames made out of
gold or with unique hinges or temple designs. All
of these elements can be described as luxurious.
Luxury in eyewear refers more to the quality of
the materials, the type of construction used, the
innovation of the design and the timelessness of
the style.
Many frames and sunglasses that can be
described as luxury are actually relatively
affordable, especially when compared to the cost
of other luxury goods like handbags, watches,
bracelets or necklaces.
Often, fashion experts say that eyewear and
perfumes are the most affordable and accessible
way for people to enter the luxury arena and
own a designer or luxury product to add to their
wardrobe.
In this issue of Optical Prism magazine, we take
a look at the full spectrum of luxury frames
- from the expensive to the more affordable -
and find out what sets them apart from more
economical styles.
Sometimes, it’s the designer name that elevates
the frames into the luxury category, while other
times it’s the way the glasses were made.
We also showcase some of the looks that
celebrities are sporting these days, whether on
the red carpet, runways or simply while running
an errand.
Also in this issue, we chat with Christophe
Perreault, the new president of Essilor Canada,
about his new role and vision for the company.
We have also put together a fun pictorial on
frames that feature geometric designs, from
circles to octagons, which is also a hot trend.
As always, be sure to stay in the loop on the
latest in eyewear and eyecare news by visiting
opticalprism.ca and following us on Twitter and
Facebook.
Denis Langlois,
Editor.
Don’t forget to check us out on social media and
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eyewear information.
6 Optical Prism | May 2019