LUXURY EYEWEAR

Sumptuous Style

LUXE LOOKS OF THE SEASON

Today’s luxury consumer may have shifted their focus, but the fact remains that this customer is still attracted to covetable high style—as long as it also boasts supreme quality, real meaning, and true, opulent value.

Not surprisingly, the high-end frame market remains strong, especially with independent optical retailers, where over 58% of the frame assortment falls in the $150-and-above price category, according to The Vision Council’s Member Benefits Frames Report released in June 2015. Independents also report an average high-end selling price of $211.68 for the frame-only sale.

The picture is quite different at optical chain stores, where just 27.8% of the frame merchandise mix is in the $150-and-above price range for frame sales. The average high-end frame selling price at conventional chain stores also rings in slightly lower, at $205.35.

Clearly, independent optical retailers, opticians, and optometric practices continue to differentiate their businesses by laying their claim to the high-end frame market.

On these pages, we reveal some of the most enticing luxury frame looks of the moment.

— E.M.

Snake Charmer
Roberto Cavalli RC972S from Marcolin oversized sunglass with gold snake detailing.
Roberto Cavalli black-and-white scarf with Monique Lhuillier strapless black gown.

Turning up the Heat
Max Mara MM 1246 bold and beautiful frame in acetate from Safilo.
Max Mara dress and jacket provided courtesy of Max Mara.

Sophisticated Details
Dolce & Gabbana DG3236 512 in blonde havana from Luxottica features temples in inlaid acetate inspired by the distinctive Spanish combs and fans.
Osman draped jumpsuit.

Luxury Found
From top to bottom:
Red Rose Salvatore in titanium (color 6000) from OGI.
l.a.Eyeworks Carmen’s Birthday cat-eye in magenta.
Vera Wang Inga in blue with crystal inlay temples from Kenmark.
Alain Mikli A03051 retro navigator in acetate from Luxottica.
State Optical Addison in blue smoke.
Photographed by David Douglas

Pure Opulence
Chloé CE2668 from Marchon in crystal acetate.
Chloé dress provided courtesy of Chloé.