Welcome to the Clare and Illingworth Blog.

If you wear glasses or sunglasses, they need to give you the best possible vision and are the first thing that people see.

Regardless of whether you are a follower of fashion people will have a first, and often lasting, impression of you based on what you are wearing. This makes eye wear choices important.

My blog covers a range of topics, predominantly around the fashion and technology behind the eye wear we source for both practices. 

In the past few years I have also written articles for a range of newspapers, magazines and websites offering advice on eye-wear choices for all lifestyles.

Richard Clare 

Subject: If you are buying cheap, are you buying fake?

Date: 15th July

A friend of mine recently bought a pair of sunglasses from a popular interent auction site, a pair of sunglasses that she thought were going to be by Christian Dior.

Unfortunatley these sunglasses were fake and very obviously so.

She came to me for advice and apart from being really embarrassed she was also really annoyed that this can happen in the UK.

Anyway, it got me thinking about the dangers of fake eyewear, especially sunglasses.

First and importantly, exposure to UV light can cause nasty long term problems with your eyes (which is why we are told not to look directly at the sun and stay covered up etc.) If you want a hint at how bad the sun can damage people just look at sunburn on the skin and imagine the pain you would be in if that was your eyes!

Secondly, if you are buying a cheap lens and its a fake, it wont have any UV protection, however, it will have a tint. The tint will relax your pupil and cause it to open wider, letting loads more of the UV light in (even more than if you were not wearing any lenses!) When normal and safe lenses are tinted, the UV block counteracts the issue of wider pupils as it doesnt let the light near your eyes.

I know its tempting to save a bit of money when things like designer sunglasses are not cheap but please consider the health risks involved to save a few pounds.

I could sit her and type out all of the 'Britsish Standards' things to look out for on a frame, CE marking etc, but to be honest, a manufacturer of a fake frame could write them on the side anyway.... they are already illegally copying a frame so why not go the full way and tell you its UV protected.

Instead, here are a few things to think about when buying sunglasses......

1. The price - this is the major thing. You wont find a true designer frame for less than £100 and even at that level I would start to ask questions.
2. The feel - true designer frames are skillfully crafted with an amazing attention to detail which cannot be replicated - feel the weight of real frames in our opticians, the feel of the material and the comfort when on your face.
3. Where you are buying it from - a market stall / an outside trader / one off events at fayres etc would be a big concern as the designers are very choosy about who to supply too and you have to have an account with them in the UK. Internet is trickier because you cant see and feel them..... but wouldn't be nicer to get some help and advice from a professional when choosing eyewear?

So, think before you buy.... dont cause long term damage to your eyes for the sake of saving some cash.

Instead, choose your favourite frame, one you are going to love to wear and invest in something that will last years.

If you need some UV protection at a great price, our Mexx range is just £55 with no prescription or £99 with a single vision prescription

Our designer frames would range from £125 to £350 (ish)

 Oh an my friend with the Diors.... we have asked Dior to verify they are fake and Pay Pal will deal with the rest!

Richard

Subject: Tom ford eyewear event in Wilmslow

Date: 10th June 2010

SATURDAY 19TH JUNE - a very exciting saturday as our Wilmslow practice will be hosting a little get together to celebrate the TOM FORD eyewear range. The whole range will be on show at the practice along with a 15% discount for orders taken during the event and some nibbles and drinks for anyone who wants to join us.

Hope to see you there!

Subject: A little bit of luxury

Date: 29th May 2010

In recessionary times, we have all become a little more cautious to avoid the 'spending for spendings sake' mentality that got a lot of people into trouble over the past few years. With that in mind, we have had to rediscover what is important, what our passions in life are and therefore what we are all willing to spend on to achieve the little bits of luxury that keep us smiling.

 If you wear specs they are a great way to achieve a smart look, a comfortable fit and a little change in style as they are the first thing that people see on you. Sunglasses are also a great investment in a bit of summer style but can also add the finishing touches to a great outfit all year round.

So, when cutting back just think about how often you wear your specs (for a lot of us that's every day,) so if you are going to spend on anything, spend on something that is both a practical need and a stylish accessory. They don't have to be hugely expensive but remember, the better quality you can buy within your budget, the longer lasting the eye wear.

Subject: A passion for glamour and Pucci eyewear!

I have written another article for popular Cheshire magazine, Live Cheshire in which the theme next month in glamour... here it is (a sneaky preview from the mag!)

After a winter of heavy snow and gail force winds, everyone is holding their breath in anticipation of the long awaited (and very well deserved,) hot summer.

 If predictions are to be believed (not the MET office this year I might add) then summer 2010 could well be the long hot summer we are longing for.

So, when our glamorous county is baking in the sun, there are a few familiar sights that herald the arrival of long, lazy summer months. The first must be the convertibles out in force, the second could be people enjoying drinks outside an array of trendy eateries and the third most definitely has to be the combined collection of Cheshire ladies sunglasses.

What can be more synonymous with bright sunshine and the glamour of our summer social scene than a fantastic pair of sunglasses to finish off any outfit?

Whether it’s a quick wander round the shops, a lunch with friends or just collecting the children from school, a well selected pair of sunglasses adds a certain finishing touch, that air of sophistication and, importantly, a touch of glamour to any situation.

When helping guide women to the right glamorous sunglass for any spring/summer season, one of my particular favourites would have to be Emilio Pucci.

The arrival of Emilio Pucci in the 1950’s marked a change in fashions for women living in a post-war era with Pucci aiming to ‘liberate women’ through colour and pattern. In fact, he later became known as the ‘Prince of pattern,’ a nod to his social pedigree (born into one Florences’ oldest noble families) but also his love of colour and pattern through the signature abstract prints adorning his collections.

The Emilio Pucci summer sunglass collection for 2010 is particularity impressive, featuring bold colours such as aqua, purple, green, yellow and pink, all designed to evoke a summer feel as they are taken from the Mediterranean landscape and the sparkle of the sea, all adding to the ambiance of a summer escape in a glamorous setting.

So, whatever your plans this year, invest in sunglasses as a key accessory and use to your full advantage by adding that style and sophistication to any given situation.

Bring on the sun……

Subject: A forgiveable splurge

Date: 4th April 2010

Style icon Grace Kelly was famously frugal when it came to buying clothing - except for when buying accessories.

She favoured large sunglasses, hats and general finishing touches to her classic outfits. Apparently, her basic buying rule was simply that it should last and so her purchases needed to be of a good quality.

A great accessory to give the feel-good factor is of course, sunglasses. The ranges we source are scrutinised for the quality they offer. We want to know how and where they are made and that they offer the wearer something a little more individual.

So, if like Grace Kelly, you are looking to invest in a timeless piece of eyewear, to be enjoyed for years to come, spend some time with us in Knutsford or Wilmslow trying on the new collections, they are fantastic....

And remember - sunglasses can hide a multitude of sins whilst offering glamour and a fight-back against the ageing process by offering a shield from harmful UV exposure..... they also have the same effect as handbags - people notice them, comment on them and always want to know where you got them from.

So be true to your own personal style and we will make sure you find the unique frame that you wont see on half a dozen other people as you wander through our Cheshire villages this summer. 

Subject: Clare & Illingworth in the media

DATE: 4th March 2010

Follow the link below to see my recent article from Live Cheshire magaine

http://www.live-magazines.co.uk/sunglasses-lc-feb-10/

SUBJECT: Its all in the detail

DATE: 1st March 2010 

Eyewear is firmly established as an important consideration in fashion - just look at the magazines, i'm sat here with The Times on Sunday and most of the fashion labels adverts feature the clothing range and eye wear either through specs or sunglasses.

Eye wear is an easy way to feel great without having to do too much; dressing up for the all important job interview, making a statement on a night out or looking superiorly stylish just reading a menu in a restaurant - whatever you wear them for, they can dress up and outfit or ruin it.

Its a real shame when someone isn't interested in investing in a great pair of glasses but they obviously invest in other important aspects such as what they are wearing and how they style their hair..... does a ten year old pair of dated specs not null and void the expensive cut and colour?

Interestingly enough there are still people who will say to me, "I really don't care how the glasses look, they are just for reading," who then spend the next half an hour with me dismissing certain colours, certain shapes and different styles.

Deep down we are all concious about how we present ourselves, and everything is a concious decision whether it be to dress in the latest trends or to actively avoid them.

So next time you are looking to change your eye wear take time to consider colour, shape and feel.... the quality of the material, the weight on your face and the general appearance all make a big difference to the way you feel and the way people percieve you. 

Be in control of your appearance in eye wear and make the right statement be it follower of fashion or shrinking violet, theres a frame that does the work for you! 

SUBJECT: Neglecting the fashion blog

DATE: 20th February 2010

I haven't had chance to sit down and update the fashion blog for ages now, apologies for that - we have been very busy in practice helping people choose great frames, teaching patients how to use contact lenses and as usual busy with the frame displays and sourcing new stock!

Our newest addition to the Clare & Illingworth fashion family of frames is Tom Ford. This luxury eyewear brand brings sophistication, understated luxury and a good old fashioned feel of quality and comfort.

With our frames moving ever further away from obvious branding and 'walking adverts,' Tom Ford sums up the style of 2010 with the nod to retro/vintage but without being over the top.

 They feel good, look great....... come and see (although not yet as they haven't arrived yet!)  

SUBJECT: Tweet away, poke away.....

DATE: 16th January 2010

Clare & Illingworth joins the rest of the world on Facebook and Twitter. Do you tweet, do you poke? I'm Facebook myself but i do have a twitter page, everyone seems to be one or the other i suppose so we did both!

http://twitter.com/theoptometrist

and search for Clare & Illingworth on facebook to find the group...

They are both handy ways to keep everyone informed of whats going on at the practice, new frame arrivals, new faces etc....

Also, the sunglasses section is back for spring/summer 2010 in Knutsford - find Pucci, Gucci, Rayban and Marc by Marc Jacobs there for fashion and Nike for sporty types.

Over in Wilmslow we have the same and then some lovely Jimmy Choo and Armani along with the Oakley cabinet for the ski season.

Im looking out of my window and its bright sunshine, maybe this will be the year of the long hot summer in contrast to the big freeze of 2009 into 2010?

SUBJECT: Spring / Summer 2010

DATE: 4th January 2010

Firstly, happy new year, I think the UK needs a happy year this year of all years!

On the subject of happy, customers and patients will be happy to know the new Spring / Summer 2010 sunglasses have arrived, featuring lots of new Gucci and Fendi, firm favourites of the Knutsford and Wilmslow fashion forward people.

My favorite Gucci is the 50's style black frame featuring the flora pattern at the side, designed originally for Grace Kelly back in 1966. We have it in Knutsford, one with pattern showing, one with the pattern hidden.

There are some lovely key pieces to try on and mostly blacks, browns and autumn colours as sunglasses tend to be heavier than the pale pinks and softer colours featuring on the catwalks for 2010.

There are white frames for those wanting a brighter feel and Pucci always features bolder colours! So, come, try on, enjoy and again, happy new year....

SUBJECT: Focus on Wilmslow

DATE: 14th November 2009

Our Wilmslow team have been busy buying in the latest fashions in glasses and sunglasses to further add to an already great collection.

From classic Christian Dior to a sparkling Valentino range, the practice is full of new styles and new inspiration and all in time for Christmas!

Aly, Alison, Anna and Katy have also sourced and taken delivery of the Spring/Summer sunglass collections from Gucci, Dior, Armani and Fendi to name but a few, meaning patients and customers in Wilmslow have exclusive access to the latest styles that will soon define 2010.

Make sure you pop down to Wilmslow so that one of the team can guide you through the latest shapes and colours to ensure you choose the right frame to reflect your personality and enhance your key facial features.

SUBJECT: Everyone in Rayban

DATE: 7th October 2009

Still enjoying huge popularity and massive fashion exposure, the new Rayban collection has now arrived! We have topped up the good old aviator and wayfarer and even pre-ordered the limited edition wayfarer which features the new york underground map printed onto the inside of the frame.

Most ranges have an age group that they appeal to but Rayban is one of the few universal ranges which also seems truly uni-sex. Men or women look great in aviators, anyone from Tom Cruise to Victoria Beckham wear them and the wayfarer is one of the strangest shaped sunglasses ever seen but is still worn by millions and copied and replicated the world over by other designers.

The re-launch of the aviator and wayfarer saw a new style of both popular ranges that has been made more wearable for 2009 with softer shapes and being slightly smaller, so there is a chance to get the affect but not go to extreme.

Rayban also have a range of other styles, they are not only about the two popular ones with other frames offering a sporty feel featuring 'wrap-around' styles, great lenses offering full UV400 protection and even a 'Jackie O' style women's frame in classic black or tortoiseshell. 

So, whether you remember them from the first time around or are new to the cult of Rayban, head down to Knutsford or Wilmslow to try a few on. 

SUBJECT: Fendi has arrived

DATE: 29th September 2009

The new Fendi eye wear collection has arrived in both Knutsford and Wilmslow with some great use of the logos that make Fendi famously such as the 'FF - Forever Fendi' and some stunning Swarovski crystal in great autumn colours.

We also viewed the spring summer releases for sunglasses and put in an order ready for January delivery - Is it too early to look forward to next summer because viewing the sunglasses collection really made us do that.....

SUBJECT: Design for life

DATE: 20th September 2009

Has anyone else been watching 'Design for Life' on the BBC with Philippe Starck?

It was really interesting to hear the iconic designer talk about product design and its relevance in all areas of society. He obviously has some strong beliefs and ones that make sense - simply put, his idea of design is concentrated on the function of a piece, how it works for the user and how functions in society and not just its looks.

It made me think about how the eye wear fits in with Starcks views on the world.

1) Eye wear is a necessity - many of us need it to see clearly.

2) Eye wear needs to be designed with comfort in mind

3) Eye wear can give the wearer confidence through clever and distinctive design.

When looking for new ranges, I concentrate on sourcing well designed pieces so that the wearer can have a functional product as well as a fashionable - Starck would be proud!

SUBJECT: Focus on Gucci

DATE: 9th September 2009

After a viewing of the latest Gucci eyewear collection, I am very excited about the new pieces arriving in practice over the next couple of weeks.

I love the Gucci brand because of its emphasis on quality, craftsmanship and style, all combining to create a wonderfully wearable and fashionable eyewear range for both women and men.

Gucci mens eyewear seems to be going through a period of growth at the moment with some strong new pieces which I have just ordered. Gucci mens is very wearable, features soft browns, darker black and grey colours and provides a classic style, well matched with todays trends.

Guccio Gucci, founder of the powerful fashion house started Gucci in 1921 on his return to Florence, Italy after working at the Savoy in London. This first shop sold luxury leather luggage, bringing the aesthetic of English nobility to Italy creating a unique and eye cacthing collection.

Over the years Gucci expanded into the powerhouse of fashion that we see today and has been responsbile for dressing the most stylish and well know people of each decade.

The Gucci icons define the brand, one being 'Flora,' This was designed for Princess Grace of Monaco after a visit to the Milan store in 1966. She was offered a present and when she requested a scarf, Rodolfo Gucci felt she needed something unique so commissoned a colourful floral pattern which instantly became a best selling Gucci design, used again recently throughout the collection and has featured on sunglasses and glasses - one is on order for Knutsford as we speak.

Come and see the new Gucci collection in the next couple of weeks - you'll be impressed.

SUBJECT: Get ready for autumn/winter

DATE: 1st September 2009

The biggest confirmation that summer is now over was finding two potted trees in my garden blown over this morning.

So with any final hopes for a bit of warmth now dashed, we can all move on and look forward to the new style and trends that the autumn/winter season brings.

This blog - colours

The new fashion season in clothing seems to be introducing more black, brown and grey, so its especially important to mix in some funky colours to brighten the mood.

So, if your investing in black biker jackets, grey jumper dresses and the like, go for some purple or lilac specs and sunnies (dark purple better with black, lilac better with grey)

If you are going for a wamer brown tone, why not try mixing in some green through the eyewear. A lot of people wouldn't think to pick up a green pair of specs, but when i put that colour on patients, the effect can be amazing. Its a great autumn colour so give it a go.

On the subject of colour, yellow will be big in interiors and fashion this season, so I will be keeping an eye on the new ranges being show to me this month to try and get a few key pieces. Yellow would be a great match to brown offering a retro feel which is still a current and popular trend)

I have a full diary of viewings for this season during September so will keep you updated!

SUBJECT: Is 'cheap chic' enough?

DATE: 26th July 2009

In a period of recession, people have to re-assess their spending, decide what is important and think more carefully about where to spend money.

When it comes to eyewear, is cheap chic enough to last you between eye examinations or is it a false economy?

Cheaper frames and lenses are cheaper because of the materials and manufacturing process, perhaps using a basic metal and being mass produced. The higher quality frames are stronger materials which are often hand-made or at least hand-finished by a smaller team of craftsmen.

We strive to source good value products and i'm a firm believer that value doesn't have to mean cheap. To me, value is paying a reasonable price for the quailty you require so whether you are looking for a pair of occasional reading glasses or a pair of varifocals that will be worn all day, we will keep an eye on the the quality so it's one less thing for you to worry about.

SUBJECT: Retro and Vintage - there is a big difference

DATE: 15th July

Retro or Vintage - they are both big styles at the moment and the two can often become confused and overlap a little. Do not fear, here is the quick summary:

Retro - Think 1960's London, think big, bold and black frames. This eyewear style is very obvious, stand-out and has a feel of 60's music legends. We have some frames in our William Morris range that cater for this perfectly.

Vintage - Think a more glamourous Los Angeles style with bigger oval or round shapes, oversized and softer colours to retro, like browns, tortoiseshell etc. Also, think of the famous Mr Depp and his classic oval/circular frames.

So there you have it - the difference between retro and vintage.

SUBJECT: Tailored to your exact needs

DATE: 7th April

We have an exciting new chapater about to begin at Clare & Illingworth.

For a long time now we have offered bespoke, tailor made lenses for which we use cutting edge technology to take exact facial measurements designed to produce the lenses from scratch at the lab rather than using stock lenses.

Now, in conjunction with Tom Davies eyewear, we will have a range of 35 frame styles to choose from which can then be tailor made around your requirements.

The tailoring process includes colour options, bridge width (how the frame fits on your nose) eyesize (the physical size of the lens area and for a lovely discreet touch, your name lazer-etched onto the inside of the frame.

This service is ideal for people who enjoy more control of the colour options and style on eyewear and is perfect for if you often struggle to find an exact fit when choosing frames.

Fashion-wise, what is better than having a frame named after you and knowing that you have specified the colour of the plastic, the colour of the metal and made the frame fit you rather than the other way around?

They arrive next week....... but im first in line for a tailored finish!  

SUBJECT: The new 'year round' accessory - Sunglasses

DATE: 23rd March 2009

Sunglasses are no longer relegated to a spring and summer purchase. Why? They are a great investment in fashion and health!

The best thing about sunglasses is the 'fashion factor' coupled with the 'function factor.' When the sun is out, we all remember to put the sun screen on after years of great education.

As well as damaging our skin, the sun has some really harmful affects on our eyes. One thing to consider is Cataracts (a clouding of the internal lens in the eye.) UV damage over the years can deteriorate the lens at a quicker rate so we all need to be aware of what we do now and how it affects our future.

On the fashion front (after all, this is a fashion blog,) sunglasses have never been so popular. Spring is the time to see the brand new stock and we have enjoyed buying the usual suspects, Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Fendi and Rayban amungst others.

The current style trend?

For women, its still big, its still bold and flatter lenses, ie, less 'wrap-around' affect. These frames give a feeling of glamour and sophistication, taking a style from the 1950's through to the 1970's and updating it for 2009.

For men, the 'pilot' look from an aviator shape is huge (see topgun for inspiration!) or a Wayfarer style captures the current preppy look. Both styles are distinctive and if they suit you, they are a great buy. 

So whether its a low sun in the winter making tricky driving conditions or a lazy day during the summer spent around a pool, make sunglasses a priority this year and enjoy a classic style that will be long lasting - just like your then healtier eyes!

SUBJECT: Pucci frame featured in top magazine

DATE: 21rd March 2009

Emilio Pucci eyewear has been a big hit at our Knutsford practice and its widespread popularity was confirmed with a Pucci frame appearing in a top national fashion magazine.

The Pucci in question is highly patterned with one of their signature prints. Emilio Pucci was known as the 'Prince of pattern,' a reference to his families nobility and the vibrant patterns he designed. 

His unique and distinctive eyewear is a tribute to his flair and creativity that captured the glamour of the 1950's perfectly.   

SUBJECT: Buy a frame that suits you - not the magazines.

DATE: 28th February 2009

I have just returned home from London. We had a great time, but a few of the eyewear fashion trends there made me remember something I often speak to our patients and customers about - choosing a frame that suits you, not just the current trend.

One eyewear trend of the moment is the 'geek chic' with bigger, retro, chunky frames. This trend can look great on certain people but not on everyone.

It was a shame to see so many people wearing that style just because of its current popularity - especially when it doesn't always compliment individuals facial features.

If you fancy a 'geek chic' look try on lots of styles, stick to browns and black colours on thick plastic frames. The Fendi mens frame that I wear at the moment is a modern twist on a retro look making it updated and wearable for 2009. Our skaga and Inface ranges also offer some great options for this trend.

As usual, enjoy trying the frames on, experiment with style and colour and have fun.

SUBJECT: New skin, hair and eyewear!

DATE: 2nd February 2009

You might have noticed our mention in InCheshire magazine this month with regards to their "new year new you" competition winner, Ann.

Ann, a very lucky lady, had already won a series of cosmetic treatments and a new hair style for a 'before and after' style of article. However, at Clare & Illingworth, we thought we would enhance the prize for her by offering £250 worth of eyewear to help complete the 'look.'

Obviously over the moon, Ann recognises the importance of looking and feeling good and is looking to use her prize to get a brand new pair of designer sunglasses, something of a little treat for spring/summer.

So when did eyewear become so fashionable and such a desirable accsessory, rather than just a practical one?

Well, the Europeans were ahead of the game for years but finally the UK have caught up. Its a basic idea, and one that makes sense. The majority of people need glasses at some stage in their life, so why not go for it with a new and bold style to make a statement with your eyewear.

After all, eyewear is the first thing that people see when they look at you.

SUBJECT: Mens fashion

DATE: 19th January 2009

The past few years have seen the mens eyewear collections increase rapidly as frame designers recognise the need for good quality eyewear for men.

Mens eyewear used to consist of bog standard metal frames, square or round in shape and very dull indeed. The arrival of a gunmetal finish was about as interesting as it got. However, times have changed and the eyewar fashion houses have responded with style.

Dont get me wrong, there is still plenty of thin metal styles out there if you dont feel brave, but if men are ready to embrace change, the offerings are very interesting.

Our Hugo Boss range has made a big impact due to its discreet front (metal/square,) and the introduction of thicker, plastic sides. By combining the discreet with the bold, Hugo Boss has created a very wearable but stylish option, one that is great for the office as it has that professional air around it.

InFace, a danish company features larger, retro styles giving a distinct 70's style but with a modern twist. The frames are darker and masculine, a definate statement piece.

OrGreen is a great range for fun and colour with a real quality feel. The frames are manufactured in Japan as the country offers the fantastic quality titanium that features in this menswear range. Featuring blues, oranges, greens, reds and an array of other colours on the inside of the frame, OrGreen manages to blend their titanium grey frame fronts with bold colour and pull it off in a discreet way, merely hinting at the colour hidden behind the facade.

Traditionalists don't be alarmed, our charmant and Zenith ranges offer a safe haven by keeping shapes standardised and colour neutral, all with some nice finishing touches which keep them modern but without making a huge statement.

So whatever the style, men finally have the freedom of choice when it comes to self expression through eyewear!  

SUBJECT: New Year, New You

DATE: 10th January 2009

Yes its a cliche, but 'New Year, New You,' rolls off the tongue so easily. Whilst my friends seem to hate new year, I genuinely look forward to it. Christmas is a great way to end the year and the new year is a great way to re-focus.

However, I am not alone in my January excitment against what my friends would have me believe as Januay has seen a busy practice and our fashion focused patients very interested in a fresh new look for 2009. 

So far this month I have noticed;

• A pleasing trend towards colour and boldness in the frame choices. Our new Fysh and Klic ranges (priced at just £75) have been fast disappearing to both young and old alike. 
• A renewed interest in Emilio Pucci sunglasses has been noticed (prices from £175-£260,) proving Mr Pucci's colorful, iconic patterns still evoke a feeling of glamour and are just the medicine for a cold winter.
• The Prada section is getting the nod of approval for their darker style, black with black crystal, heavy styling and distinctive pattern taken from the handbags.
• And finally, Knutsford and Wilmslow must have the trendiest toddlers through to teens with our local children enjoying some pattern, colour and attention to detail on their frames, (prices around £20 for our junior collections.)

So, to my group of friends who always try and make me feel the only person who genuinely enjoys the new year start (you know who you are,) pop into Knutsford or Wilmslow and get into the spirit of the New Year New You with some funky re-styling!

SUBJECT: A good investment - rare as they are!

DATE: 15th December 2008

With retail doom and gloom, its easy to slip into a state of despair about the economic future of the country, and everyone in it! However, the up-shot of the financial problem has been more awareness of what we buy, how we buy it and where we buy it.

Like most people, I have made a few changes to my spending habits during 2008. I now buy meat sourced locally and have been enjoying visiting the Knutsford market. I probably spend more now on certain foods but it feels good to support local business, everything tastes nicer and it gets me out and about in the fresh air.

So, in my personal life, instead of becoming too concerned with cut backs just for the sake of it, I have spent money wisely on things that I expect a good quality from. Better food, better lasting quality clothing and I am enjoying the process.

In my professional life, I have been ensuring we stock quality frames that I feel offer that lasting quality for my patients and customers. Frames that are designed and made in their country of origin and frames that are hand finished are two examples.

That careful sourcing of frames has been the companies aim since 1990, and I am happy that in 2009, quality and good old fashioned service is still why people stick with us and leave the practice with a good personal investment.   

SUBJECT: This one is all about the 'Me' factor.

DATE: 5th December 2008

Wow, it has arrived - our new Fendi special edition sunglasses. The frame has hand-placed Daniel Swarovski crystals down both sides and incorporates the Karl Lagerfeld 'Love Letter' design which features on the Fendi Handbags.

Apparently, Karl Lagerfeld imagined the 'Love Letter' design as an envelope which inside held love letters to a secret lover, all very romantic, all very suited to a fantastic Christmas gift this year!

So, what is the benefit of a limited edition frame - why so special? Well, there are only 50 of this frame in the UK and then only another 700 globally.

So yes you pay a premium, yes its a a little self-indulgent, but amongst all the mass produced products out there, this frame guarantees you are wearing a stylish statement which is just for you, not the person sitting next to you in the cafe, not the person walking down the street (mentally clocking the fact you both have the same frame, shock!) just you....

So, fancy a Fendi treat this Christmas anyone?

SUBJECT: Winter fun in the sun

DATE: 14th October 2008

During summer, like everyone else, I clung onto a small glimmer of hope every day when the weather forecasters had hinted at somepossible warmth, only to have my hopes dashed when I woke to find my car practically iced over in august! 

However, as I drove to work that day feeling cold and sorry for myself, I began to realise how bright the sun was on the road. Later, in work, I had to adjust my seat to avoid glare through the window. I then realised that yes, it may be cold outside but winter sun can actually be much more intense than summer sun – its lower in the sky and therefore right in our vision. My patients are noticing this too. So due to increased interest in sunglasses as a year long necessity, my usual run down of sunglasses styles and trends for ‘Summer 09’ has become my run down for ‘Winter 08.’…

‘The Classic’ – Big, bold and ‘Jackie O’

The classic look is huge, with oval or more circular sunglasses featuring brown or black as the dominant colours. If you want a different colour in this style, you’ll probably find deep reds and dark greens but this classic style lends itself better to brown tones.

‘The 80’s look’

Reminisce about shoulder pads and big hair, then be thankful that all that was bad about the 80’s has had a facelift for 2008 – all that is apart from Rayban sunglasses. The ‘Wayfarer’ and ‘Aviator’ styles are massive this year and every celebrity seems to have a pair. If the Rayban style isn’t your thing, you can achieve this look with a Hugo Boss or a Gucci, both have aviator styles with a twist.

‘Explosion of colour’

Once in purely brown or black, sunglasses have embraced colour along with the rest of the fashion industry and with some great results. White has featured during summer and looks set to continue (Incidentally, has anyone also noticed the huge number of white BMW’s on the roads this year?) along with bright blues and other Mediterranean colours. Basically, any colour that shouts, “I’m not accepting summer is over.”

‘The sporty type’

Although an Emilio Pucci or Fendi look great for alfresco café culture and shopping, they may not work be your first choice for active sports, so lets not forget the Oakley and Nike ranges – Oakley for skiing and snowboarding (although pack your Gucci’s for après ski,) and Nike for jogging and bike rides. Both are designed with sports in mind and work well to help you stay top of your game.

Subject: Autumn/Winter trends

Date: 1st October 2008

This autumn/winter, eyewear remains a big fashion accessory, speaking volumes about the wearers individual style. Everyone understand the importance of being confident in the clothes you wear, so this season, whether its glasses for the boardroom or sunglasses in the snow, make sure the eyewear doesn’t give out the wrong signals.

For a warm and cosy feel think browns, beiges and creams, featuring tortoiseshell effects with some darker tones for statement. A classic look to capture this would have to be Gucci – check out the frames featuring the Gucci ‘Horse-bit’ that has been re-styled this year using a bamboo effect, in memory of the handbag design featuring bamboo from the 1940’s.

For a high fashion look, mirror the current colour trends in clothing, which would definitely have to be purples, reds and remember that, ‘black is back.’ However, if you have a fair complexion, look at embracing the current black trend through clothing and lift your facial features with a berry colour to match your new black outfits. If you have darker skin, go for a sultry black frame to make a big statement.

If you want to shake off the winter blues, embrace the massive folk trend in clothing with patterned eyewear to add colour and texture to the layers and chunky knits you will be wrapping up in. Emilio Pucci is a great example of this fun and carefree trend, featuring bold colours and oversized frames – if you are going to release the inner hippie, these frames will make sure you do it with more than a touch of glamour.