A Designer Speaks

Appearing in the London Times today: French eyewear designer Alain Mikli trained as an optician, but decided that designing would be more fun. He started his brand in 1978 and opened his first boutique in Paris in 1987. He was the first to specialise in high-end frames by the likes of Jil Sander, Sonia Rykiel and Donna Karan, and his own dramatic, colourful and high-quality designs are worn by celebrities such as Uma Thurman, Bono and Kim Cattrall.

Alain has some top glasses tips...

• Follow your own personality. Don’t we have enough rules in life already?

Nothing wrong with this tip, but perhaps it should also be applied to the rule about buying glasses from an optician.  That's one rule that needs breaking.

• Smile when you look in the mirror when trying on glasses

Because when you look at the price tag it's sure to wipe that smile off your face.

• Glasses are like wine: you get what you pay for

Complete rubbish.  That's market speak to make consumers believe they are buying a piece of art rather than a mass produced good made from plastic and metal. You can also get some nice wines for under $10.

• Designer glasses might seem expensive – until you add up the cost per wear

And they're a lot less expensive - whether we're talking up-front costs or cost per wear - if you buy your designer glasses online!

Comments

[zeke]

While I agree that "you get what you pay for" is somewhat unreasonable to say relating to both glasses and wines, it does hold some truth. Many cheap sunglasses fool people into buying them with the low price even though they act only as shade. Many of these models render little to no protection from the sun, which is far more valuable than just shade from the sun. At least when buying an expensive pair of glasses, you can feel reasonably safe that you are buying protection from the sun with that high price tag.

EPVail.com

[zeke]

While I agree that "you get what you pay for" is somewhat unreasonable to say relating to both glasses and wines, it does hold some truth. Many cheap sunglasses fool people into buying them with the low price even though they act only as shade. Many of these models render little to no protection from the sun, which is far more valuable than just shade from the sun. At least when buying an expensive pair of glasses, you can feel reasonably safe that you are buying protection from the sun with that high price tag.

EPVail.com