Downtown LA Art Walk is a huge event which happens every second Thursday of the month. Yesterday, the good people of PE Lofts offered their downstairs gallery space to artists, designers, photographers and businesses who live and work in the building and Spectacles for Humans, being one of the newest additions to Downtown, participated as an exhibitor. And a popular exhibitor we was!
All we can say the reaction was incredible and people were literally mesmerized by the brands Spectacles For Humans has to offer . The small sample of frames we assembled represented the best and the newest additions to our line-up. Both frames and sunglasses were a massive hit and we quickly realized that a couple of hundred of business cards we brought with us to the show may not be enough...
Strada Del Sole acetate frame, above.
Brand new Orgreen sunglasses were immediate hit and even the local tough guys appreciated the strength and beauty of aircraft grade titanium.
Talking about Orgreen sunglasses, this week and next SFH LA is showing the entire collection.
One of the recent online requests to Spectacles For Humans came from Mexico with client inquiring about the structural difference between MYKITA and Strada Del Sole frames.
Technically both are made of steel. Surgical steel for MYKITA and 4 different types of steel for Strada Del Sole, which are used in different components of the frame (hinge, temple, front, bridge clip).
MYKITA frames are completely screw less, eliminating that pesky problem of screws finding their way out. The genius hinge design allows for complete and total flexibility while providing unparalleled wearability and close to zero maintenance. Typical stress points of a normal frame - soldered hinges - are eliminated and as a result the owners of MYKITA frames need not to worry about being too careful with their stylish optical possessions.
While material is similar, Strada Del Sole frames are build in a completely different manner with temples designed to close completely flat against the front. Both lines offer frames that are ridiculously lightweight and comfortable, durable and stealthily luxurious.
Regardless of structural differences we find both lines equally attractive and it always comes down to personal style when people are choosing between the two. MYKITA frames are clean and sleek, reserved and undeniably German in its simplicity.
Strada Del Sole are less formal and easily recognized by the impeccably designed details. And if you see MYKITA sunnies on Brad Pitt and the likes, Strada Del Sole specs are so new even Hollywood's sharpest stylists haven't heard of it. Just give it time, we say...
We don't care who this guy is, whose frames he's wearing or how much you want your frames to be on his face, but these simply don't fit. Frame is too small, temples are too short and the front is digging into his face. When going shopping for new sunglasses this season, please make sure this does not happen to you...
In short, there were no surprises, just another awesome eyewear event at Spectacles For Humans.
Our relationship with MYKITA goes back to early days and it is always a pleasure to have the entire collection at our disposal even if it's just for a day.
Hanging out all day with the ridiculously easy-going and most pleasant Cedric Moreau, President of MYKITA USA, was a dream and something tells us this is not the last time he graced the West Coast with his presence. There are rumors of MYKITA designers doing a multiple city tour in the fall and stops at Spectacles For Humans in San Francisco and Los Angeles are definitely on the map.
Everyone including us loved the new acetate styles. Sophisticated colors and exquisite shapes have always been a signature of MYKITA and when you think you've seen all they have to offer, there is more!
New sunglasses from MYKITA.
MYKITA Miles, one of the newest sunglasses styles, rests peacefuly and appropriately on store's KORG MS 2000B synthesizer.
"Spectacles For Humans" track by Marcin Czubala is spinning during the show.
MYKITA Trunk Show is this weekend and right now we are all about MYKITA. Yes, MYKITA, MYKITA, MYKITA! So much we love their product we even closed our brilliant new LA showroom this week to provide extra support to staff in San Francisco.
What makes MYKITA so special you might ask? For startres, everything, but we kind of look at them as we do atKraftwerk. Simplicity born from sheer genius. It is silly to think what Electronic music would have been without Kraftwerk crashing down to Earth in the late 70's. And it is equally unreasonable to try to imagine the eyewear today without MYKITA specs. Yet, few years ago there was noting like that at all.
SEE YOU ALL ON SATURDAY! FOR DRINKS, BEATS AND MYKITA TREATS!
At Spectacles For Humans you won't find frames covered in rhinestones. It's not that we think there is no place for such a thing in eyewear, it's just there is no place for it on our shelves. Instead of being everything for everyone, like most shops, we stick with what we like and simple graceful lines is just that.
What attracted us to Derapage frames right away was how distinctly un-Italian the line initially looked. Stainless steel, fiber glass, carbon, rubber, rivets. Just hearing these words you'd think Germany, or maybe Japan. The French sounding name only adds to confusion but when you live with the collection for a year or two you start to understand behind it all is nothing but pure Italian design.
Clear rubber coated temples create sleek look and make sure frames grip to your skull like a koala to a tree branch.
Our favorite detail - three layers of steel make a uniform turn.
Every week our mailbox sees more celebrity/eyewear related spam than we can shake a broom at. Companies which we don't even deal with think it is important to let us know Britney, Damon or Madonna were seen wearing their sunnies... Let's make something clear. We maybe in LA now, but we are from San Francisco and we are fiercely independent. From ours and our clients' perspective a picture of Tom Cruise wearing a certain frame equals kiss of death. In fact to avoid future complications, if there is a connection to cheesy celebrity we go the distance and let our clients know. They decide who they want to be associated with.
With that in mind, there are some celebs out there who we love and admire. Hey, we are humans after all. And that is why when we see our guys wearing cool specs, we go bonkers. Yeah, absolutely. Because there could not be a better model for Orgreen frames than Andrew Fletcher of Depeche Mode. Cool frames on cool people. And when it's all done by virtue of happenstance, not as a PR stunt, it makes it even sweeter. Give us more, please!!!
In time for warm weather, frames from the Featherlight Collection are starting to arrive. While we are not crazy about the name of the collection, the actual frames are everything you'd expect to see fromDITA - clean lines, gentle curves and tasteful details. These are definite must haves.
We just got a word from MYKITA folks that MYKITA x Bernhard Willhelm collection of sunglasses will make its official debut on May 30th during the trunk show.
And in addition, the President of MYKITA USA, Cedric Moreau, will be with us on that day as well and you will have the chance to talk to him about all the current and future projects MYKITA collective is working on.
As you may know we at Spectacles for Humans are big fans of all things Japanese - denim, green tea, synthesizers, Super Mario and of course eyewear. While it is common knowledge in the industry that if you want quality you must travel East no retailer ever goes shopping for frames to Japan. We were the first white people to go shopping to IOFT in 2007 and what we saw and discovered went far and beyond our wildest expectations. And it all started with SPIVVY.
If the frame says Made in Japan, it does not necessarily mean it is actually made in Japan. Many Japanese companies have subsidiaries and factories in Korea and China and there the majority of lower and medium priced eyewear will be produced. Even some "high-end" outlets do this, you know who you are. This is not the case with Kaneko Optical, the parent company of SPIVVY. Kaneko employs some of the best known and talented craftsmen in Japan and their product clearly shows their dedication to high standards of production. Exquisitely polished, with endless twists and facets, in the hands of skilled artisans the acetate comes alive and we press you hard to find the equivalent in Europe. We are not implying there is no quality acetate coming out of EU these days. Our friends at REIZ and DeromeBrenner come to mind right away, few others are not too far behind, but there is just something special about traditional Japanese approach to aesthetics and beauty in general. It attracts us on a different level. SPIVVY frames are never loud, and all we learned from working with frames of this nature, they never have to be to impress the right person. So this post is as much homage to clients as it is to beautiful frames. Without you, product does not matter.
It's been awhile since we got so excited about a trunk show. Heck, it's been awhile since we had one at all! With so many cool shapes in all the Collections from MYKITA it was only fitting we let you see them all for yourselves. So here goes it. Es ist amtlich!
Set your iPhones, barometers and cuckoo clocks on Saturday May 30th of 2009. The entire line up of MYKITA will be at Spectacles For Humans SF, displayed for your viewing pleasure. As usual, drinks and beats and friendly conversations will be aplenty!
The mystery of lost package was solved yesterday when we finally pinned down our local post office employees and told them to cough up the box or else. Sure thing, the precious package was collecting dust for more than 2 weeks due to some ridiculous customs paperwork request. Typical!!
But there is no need to be negative, we are not talking about Oliver Peoples here. RLTD frames are here, and we are ecstatic!!! Might as well let you in on a little secret... Spectacles for Humans is working on a book/buying guide and REIZ is one of our top 5 eyewear brands in the world right now. So yeah, we are absolutely thrilled it did not get lost. Phew...
This and next week we are showing RLTD in our new showroom in Los Angeles. This means that if you are anywhere near SoCal, this is your chance to try some of the most exquisite acetate gems you will ever find.
But lets assume you were born yesterday and have no clue about REIZ, never mind RLTD. Well if you got a minute, we'll tell you all about it.
REIZ is a German eyewear design company started in 1996 by Jochen Gutbrod and Franz Reutter. We like to think the firm believes quality will save the world because everything they produced so far was close to holy. To avoid looking like another cookie cutter line, the designers choose to hand draw all the shapes giving each frame a different personality. Then later, during production, the frames go through dozen of stages : laminating, cutting, edging, buffing, with polishing done at the very end. Naturally they choose the hard way to polish their frames - by hand and using chemises. The final product are some of the most innovative and fashion forward spectacles in the history of frame making and with their mirror like finishes will startle you by their refined and subtle beauty.
The RLTD is a Limited Collection of 4 styles of sunglasses. Each style is available in 4 colors and there are 100 pieces produced of each color. What makes the Collection special is company's ability to take the matter to its highest form creating a marvelous set of acetate spectacles, then deconstructing it. After the final polishing is done RLTD frames went through a special treatment during which the top layer of glossy finish is removed exposing the rough texture of acetate. The effect is utterly stunning.
RLTD Mark I in Grey.
RLTD Mark I in Olive.
RLTD Mark I, set number 15. This is only set of RLTD in North America.
You may not know it but the folks at Spectacles for Humans don't eat no foolish things. We like our food the way we like the glasses - fresh! A couple of us, we are certain, must have been chefs in our previous lives, and the rest of the gang simply enjoy culinary escapades as well-educated spectators. So when Bottega Louie opened its doors on 7th and Grand in Downtown LA last week, we were all over it, first the bar, and then the restaurant, hitting the deli counter on the way out.
3 yeahs here! 800 degrees oven will send your thin crust pizza out in just 3 minutes. Delectable and airy pastries will make your head spin. Superb cocktails will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy and very very hungry for more!
For a long while there were only 3 dedicated styles of sunglasses in Orgreen line up - Magnum, Lowrider andTemptation. Needless to say, like everything else this brave gang produces, they were amazing and so hyper-popular they never really stayed in stock for longer than few weeks.
Fast forward.... Spring 2009..... Wo-ho-ho!
Released last month in Milan the New Sunglass Collection offers signature Orgreen color schemes in fashion-forward shapes that are wearable. Most styles have construction similar to Magnum and that's good news to those of us who need prescription lenses to function freely in the sun. These beauties are rare but Rx-able!
Just when we think we've seen it all, something so strange and so beautiful comes along we had to take 5 to digest it.
Last year's releases from Graz, the designer behind success of AM Eyewear and Ksubi Eye, arrived in the market looking fresh, gorgeous, and poetic. The two styles - Eden and KMC - were instantly recognized by design and fashion junkies on all seven continents and beyond. True beauty is never complicated, and the first products under his own name were absolutely stunning.
About the new pieces we know close to nothing but looking at these unfinished samples one thing is clear, Graz does not design, he sculpts.
Thank you all for trying to book your personal set of REIZ Limitedframes. The Collection is in transit and until we physically have it in our hands, we will not be taking any orders. Thank you for your understanding. SFH Team.
We never thought we'll be finding ourselves saying it but here it is - we love LA, we love Downtown and we are having a blast. And the coolest aspect of it all... This thing we do, it's actually our job!!
SUBARASHI!!!
Plugging in.
Frames displays are covered in plastic wrap to keep the fog residue off our precious acetate babies.
Party scene.
Dimitri and Ramil.
Tom and Joe of Zero G Titanium.
Fog of war
DJ Jesus and his machine.
First of all, we want to thank everyone who came to celebrate the Opening of SFH LA. Some of you traveled from San Francisco and beyond and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your support. Second, we want to thank Jesus ... DJ Jesus that is. His set sounded incredible even with weird technical and electrical difficulties we were having on stage that night. What happened during Ludwig and Grunhauserperformance was not a computer glitch as we originally suspected. Apparently we blew 600Watt speakers with our awesomeness and it took a little time to rewire the stage. Live and learn. Next time there will be a 600W speaker per each person attending. HA!
There was something else we learned during the party. In this loft we have the most amazing space where live music can be performed with minimum interference from authorities and with cool neighbors like ours, we can rock the joint every time we feel like it! So yeah, get ready for monthly parties in LA!!!!
After weeks and weeks of preparations and rehearsals, we are ready to see you in full capacity in our beautiful showroom in Downtown LA . Tomorrow's Grand Opening of SFH LA will be our sleekest event ever, and this is coming from the people who do not take matters of logistics lightly. How do you think Spectacles For Humans runs so smoothly? There is no magic dust, friends. There is only hard work, dedication to our profession and desire to be the best. And when the same principals are applied to partying... Somebody usually gets arrested.
One of only 400 made, this MOOG is a wicked beauty and it represents the greatest breakthrough in technology since the invention of electric guitar. It will be making its first ever public appearance when Ludwig and Grunhauser take the stage.
Scotthas been searching for new spectacles for a very long time, and when the word hit the street that Spectacles for Humans opened up shop in Downtown LA, he did not waste time and gave us a call right away.
Before visiting SFH LA.
Couple of hours of trying frames, and voila, we zeroed in on that special pair - Strada Del Sole acetate frame was IT.
After visiting SFH LA.
The shape, the color, the fit. Yes, that's what we do. We fit frames right.
We were enjoying our indie ride for almost 3 years, hanging out with obscure designers, talking eye style with hip kids in Amsterdam, London and Tokyo, all while selling the coolest eyewear lines, never paying any attention to what everyone else in the business was doing. BAM! Few weeks ago, SF Chronicle called asking to talk to us about eyewear... We were immediately suspect. Are we becoming too mainstream???...
The article is great, it's witty and original and its author, Aaron Britt, has a keen sense of style you'd expect from someone who knows Le Corbusier was of Swiss origin, not French. Britt's expose has created a wave of phone calls and inquiries from all over the Bay Area and we are trying to accommodate you all. Not an easy task sometimes since no one knows any of the brands we are working with. Still, we will do our best to help you find the most appropriate pair of spectacles.
2 weeks to go and there are 2 spots still left on RSVP list. If you choose to forget and subsequently miss your chance to register but still would like to attend the party, please email your request directly to us at spectaclesforhumans@gmail.com and we will let you know if there are any last moment cancellations that can save you from the biggest mistake you will have made in 2009.
We also need to let the good tenants ofPacific Electric Loftsbuilding know they are welcome to join our festivities. Especially those of you on penthouse levels. It will be pretty loud so you might as well inhale. Yeah, we plan to rock the party and maybe even move the building off the foundation. Building management needs not to worry, should this actually occur, we will be done moving the building by 11am on Sunday morning.
Besides being able to meet the dazzling and spectacular Spectacles for Humans crew in person you will have the pleasure of being frothed into a disco frenzy by Downtown's most eccentric and unpredictable sound machine... DJ JESUSwill be in the Holy House of Specs and his cutting edge beats and exquisite spinning skills will make you a believer, again.
And if that is not enough to bring you down on your knees, Spectacles for Humans' super band - Ludwig and Grunhauser- is taking the stage for the first time ever.
In the name of Al Pacino and all things cool, we promise, this will be our most extravagant effort ever. 600Watts speakers are arriving this week and these are loud enough to part hair on your head, blind a small dog and even cause trouble in waters of man made lakes. So please wear your life jacket and keep your Zodiacs properly inflated and firmly attached to your houseboats because we are going in and we are going in knowing we will be resurrected.
What took a little longer to get was absolutely worth the wait. We are giving you a preview of STRADA DEL SOLEacetate collection first simply because these beautiful frames that deserve proper recognition. Unmistakeably Swiss in their approach the designers present the acetate collection as a set of 5 shapes in 3 colors - Black, Smoke and Tortoise/Clear. Simple, easy and did we mention beautiful? So without further ado, STRADA DEL SOLE.
Start speaking titanium eyewear to us, and this is exactly what we were hoping for. Designed in California, handcrafted in Japan. Safe to say it's a combination you can't go wrong with regardless of what product you're making... Well, maybe not the lederhosen.
You see, Japanese frame manufacturers are so far ahead of their Euro counterparts, it's not even worth bothering looking at the brand if it's not made in Japan. With that said, there is one major obstacle: shapes. No matter how much we try to explain what's needed in American and European markets, our Japanese friends don't seem to understand the fact that they are designing frames for their own market and their own market only and stylistically and structurally these shapes almost never travel well. Call it the case of eyewear shape lost in translation.
This prelude has a point. A new eyewear line is about to hit the market and we are here to tell the world about it.
The first thing we like about it, there is no former Oliver Peoples' people behind the curtains operating levers and windpipes. This is a totally indie effort and it is spirited and gutsy and we love it for that too. The two talented individuals behind it know exactly what they are doing and in our estimation it is simply a matter of time before you catch yourself bragging about your own pair of ZERO G's.
Zero G will premiere at Spectacles for HumansDowntown Los Angeles Opening Partyon April 4Th.
Growing up in San Francisco all we had to know about LA was that we were better. Well, it did not lookie this way last night, during Downtown Art Walk.
Downtown LA Art Walk affair happens every second Thursday of the month and both the scene and the crowd are phenomenal.
Had a nice chat with a cool dude who paints under the name Max Neutra. Related to Richard Neutra the architect by any chance? Yup. Great-Grand-Kid. Something tells us we will see more of his work here.
Nickel Diner is finally open for dinner and crowds were in love with what they saw.
Neon life on Main street.
Army of hand painted porcelaine/papier-mache skulls.
Pimped out Spectacles for Humans skull.
Skid Row.
Abandoned theater.
Street scene.
Barclay Hotel was the first hotel in Los Angeles to have telephones in every room. Residential hotel at the moment although rooms are clean and comfortable, it's owned by the same family since 1981 and one day, mark our words, it will be a helluva boutique hotel. The sign was lit tonight.
You must forgive us for the lack of activities on this glorious blog. Since late December we've been moving our pieces across the optical chessboards of California and beyond, setting up an outpost in Los Angeles, and even though SF and LA are close to each other, as we found out, when you have to move but you're still staying put, it's quite an ordeal.
With that said, hard work and a little adventure we don't mind, and we are doing great and ready to see you! Our commitment to outstanding eyewear is what keeps us going, and all the support we've received from all over the world is really quite overwhelming. Thank you everyone but no, please, we can't open another location in London and then another in Tokyo. Let's do LA first.
So let us tell you exactly how we gonna roll.
Our Los Angeles showroom will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 12 till 6. This means you will always find us here on these days and during these hours. Should you decide to visit some other day or some ungodly hour is more to your liking, please call or email with your request and we will do all we can to accommodate you. There is plenty of parking around Main and 6Th, and our building, Pacific Electric Lofts, offers secure valet parking so drive right in, leave your keys with one of the friendly guys in the garage and proceed to the Lobby. Simply tell the Doorman you are here to see Spectacles for Humans. That's it. We will see you in a moment. If you park outside or decide to walk ( hey, this is Downtown, walking is allowed here), look us up in the directory and we will buzz you in. Refreshments, mildly cool atmosphere and only the best eyewear selection of the next few years will be waiting for you. We are looking forward to seeing you!
We believe there are still few spots left to RSVP for our Opening Party on April 4th, and we are prepping quite a show with live performances and World Premiere of brand new eyewear line. Not to be missed! More details in the next few days.
There are few things in this business most companies are after and being the first to come up with a new technique is one of them. Many struggle, most miss the mark and only few end up producing stunners season after season. REIZ is nothing but pleasant surprises and their latest release is gonna send shock waves throughout the entire industry. Massive acetate forms, on the verge of deconstruction.
Limited Collection is scheduled to ship from Germany on March 18th.
Ladies and Dudes, iron your favorite t-shirts and polish your fanciest shoes because the loudest party of 2009 is about to go down in downtown. Spectacles for Humans is opening its second location in downtown LA and needless to say, we WILL party like it's 1999.
To all who contacted us about our opening day we say we are almost ready. Please give us 2 more weeks and we will be happy to welcome you. Remodeling is over and we are waiting on two new collections to arrive. After that, we are all yours.
For the party, please, please, pleaseRSVP and RSVPsoon as we will not be able to accommodate all since it already looks like half of our San Francisco clientele is coming to see what the fuss is all about.
We will kick off at about 6 and go into the night with killer DJ and a very special live music performance. And please, no, we will not be talking about art, but design, architecture and general aesthetics are all up for grabs. So wherever you are, don't miss this and if you need help choosing accommodations, simply shoot us an email and we will do our best to assist you.
For party reservations, please click on the link below.
How to visit SFH LA (please don't plan your visit on the day after the party!).
First of all, bring face, we have so many cool specs to try. Second, we hope you're not afraid of heights. We are on the top floor of one of the most beautiful buildings in LA - the old Pacific Electric. So yes, you will have to struggle a little to see us - as in give your car keys to a good looking valet downstairs, walk through gorgeous lobby and take swift ride in a restored elevator, but hey, struggle is good. And besides collection of frames we will have for you is totally worth that elevator ride!
Feel free to make an appointment, and if there is a special line or style or color you have in mind, please let us know in advance, and we will make sure it will be here, and not at our SF location and by all means, do show up and just ring the doorbell, we will let you in and show you the best eyewear line of today and tomorrow.
There is one last thing we want to add. Downtown LA is a special place and it is undergoing an amazing transformation. What once was a dumpster of human misery is now becoming a lively place to live and work and its steady heartbeat and incredible vibe are contagious. We love the noise, we love the traffic, we love the rats. We are happy to be a part of the process.
REIZ frames are beautiful. Sleek curves and sharp contours not only exist here but interweave and merge to create an amazing form that's rarely seen in spectacles. With quality beyond that anyone expects from a pair of frames and the finishing so refined it makes your jaw drop, one can only imagine how much time and effort go into one set of REIZ frames. And so it is with pleasure we will share our opinion and announce the verdict - REIZ is the best acetate eyewear line in Germany today.
"I am proud to announce this partnership with Luxottica", Tory Burch commented. "I think there will be great market opportunities for these glasses, which we will be introducing soon thanks to Luxottica’s strength and experience".
In short... Tory Burch Eyewear is coming to a Lenscrafters near you. Oh well, another "accessible luxury" brand goes for a swim in the pool of mass-produced eyewear. Guess what, good news! Because this means you'll get a chance to wear one of these complicated medallions on your face.
'What kind of material is derapage?" UPS agent in charge of processing of our order from DERAPAGE asks on the phone.... Dude, wake up and wave the frames through already. We have to deal with these silly hurdles all the time in order to get the cool stuff into US, and this kind of nonsense is basically coming out of the receiver each time a new shipment from overseas arrives for us. You should hear them customs clearing agents spill over our Japanese and French packing slips trying to wrap their lips around DeromeBrenner or SpecEspace. Annoying and funny at the same time.
Wolfgang Proksch eyewear is finally available in US!
Wolfgang Proksch is a super talented German designer whose approach to eyewear captivated eyeglass junkies since 1991. His original collection was manufactured in Germany but later, to improve quality, he shifted the production to Japan. Minimalistic yet bold his frames represent the material in a very dynamic way. Always flowing, never stubby or heavy set, the frames almost seem to float on air and that's what drew us to this line from the beginning. In addition, Wolfgang does not view his product just as a "medical device", he approaches it artistically and as a result his frames always have a strong impact on popular culture.
This week we received several photos from our clients wearing Spectacles for Humans' selections and some came from as far as Chile and Poland. La Carmina is a funky and stylish blogger from Vancouver who recently discovered Spec Espace eyewear. She had to have a pair! Read more here.
While vacationing in Chile Ramil did not miss the opportunity to pose in a classy Spectacles for Humans t-shirt and a pair of ultra-rare handmade frames from Japan. Sadly, we cannot mention the brand of frames he's wearing.
And our talented musical friend Marcin Czubala is rocking dance floors all over Europe in his DitaGrand Master II. We suspect he is even swifter with the knobs now.
Other sizzling hot news.... We are continuing to work on our Los Angeles project and all we can say, prepare to be blown away.
Spectacles for Humans never ever takes conventional approach to anything and we decided to stay true to our principals and do something different in LA. Instead of opening another optical store somewhere on Melrose or 3rd or Montana or some mall, we are setting shop up in a loft in beatiful downtown LA. The architecture and the vibe are simply incredible and we simply cannot pass wait to become another business contributing to revitalization of the area.
To make things even sweeter we are working on special arrangements to have most incredible product for our opening, and maybe, just maybe.............Spectacles for Humans band - Doktor Ludwig von Grunhauser - will be ready to play a few tunes. To put it simply, it will be a very special optical store.
Thank God it's all over. The holidays, we mean the crazy holidays, of course. The busiest season of them all, this one has hit the Mothership like a 10-foot wave and swallowed us whole. After two weeks of darkness, for air we come up again and what a beautiful world it is...
Without further ado, we have our first announcement. Fellow citizens, shine your shoes and plump your hairdos for one of a kind optical experience. Spectacles for Humans is expanding...
All of our Southern brothers and sisters who called, e-mailed and paypaled us, you will need to suffer no more. We will free you from the sadistic retailers who put you in Gucci shackles. We will rescue you from unscrupulous traders who sold their souls only to dress you in Oliver Peoples' chains. We will cut these evil ropes and show you the world of brave new optical design full of refined artistry and fresh ideas. Prepare to experience the selection of exquisite quality eyewear that does not exist anywhere in the world.
Coming this March.... Spectacles for Humans Showroom, Los Angeles.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Specs done right is all that matters to us, even if it's a cartoon character.
Our friends at DERAPAGE don't mince words when it comes to sun design and sun protection. To satisfy growing demand for well built stylish yet comfortable sunglasses they are adding 4 shapes to Tornado line up.
The rivets, the stunning steel construction, all the classic Derapage elements are here plus more. We especially love how they encased the temples in rubber... mmmm! See through rubber... Now that's just hot.
Oh, yeah, and if clear rubber was not enough, the lenses are by Carl Zeiss.
or Cutler and Gross wipes the floor with Tom Ford. James Bond may win the battle this time, but in reality, the prize for stylish set of specs goes to the Bad Guy.
James Bond, the epitome of cool and everything perfect. The girls, the suits, the cars, Bollinger RD.... But how about the sunglasses? Look closer, at the proportion. Notice the silly asymmetry and dissemblance Dan Craig has been saddled with. No doubt, people from Tom Ford got to the stylists and forced the "latest" shape on the poor guy. What a shame. The size is too small, shape is too feminine and the overall look is way off base when it comes to dressing up the most lethal agent British secret service has to offer. What we can tell you is nobody called Spectacles For Humans to inquire about the frames 007 is wearing.... Yeah, it's from Tom Ford , whatever. But in the past few weeks all we hear is "Do you guys carry that Cutler frame the bad dude is wearing in "Quantum of Solace"? Sorry fellas, that one is available in London only, and even we can't procure it. The other guy's frame....Well, it's gonna be on every shelf of every sunglasses joint you can find. Make your own conclusions about who is the cool one here.
When you decide to stock up on Champagne and other festive libations for this holiday season, you better talk to our pal Freddyat K and L Wine Merchants. He really knows his Crus!
Freddy wears OrgreenIntruder with Zeiss GT2 lenses.
When Spectacles for Humans decided to carry Cutler and Gross frames about six months ago, we knew we were gonna have fun with the collection and from the moment it arrived, it proved itself again and again. Cutler and Grossdate back to late 60's and while many other design houses seem to be regurgitating old and tired shapes you won't see this here. Classic styles are given thorough inspections and as a result this collection is vibrant, spirited and unquestionably modern. That really works for us, since we end up working with people who really appreciate eyewear and don't mind to go the distance to get what they want.
Jeff flew in from LA to snatch model 0692.
Claire and Jaysport pilot shapes from Cutler and Gross.
See Jay and his band Space Vacation play at Kimo's in Francisco on Friday, November 28th.
What recession? In San Francisco business is booming and that, Ladies and Gents, reflects on the amount of time we are able to devote to blogging. Finally we managed to steal a moment to tell you more about what happened at SILMO trade show a couple of weeks ago.
The show was interesting to say the least and what we saw could be best described as "feast or famine". While some vendors were desperate to attract clients, any client, others like DeromeBrenner and Orgreen Optics were always full of happy buyers stocking up on goodies for next year. You've already read about our time with Xavier and Aurelia, and at the show, the atmosphere at the DB booth was equally hectic and exciting. Typical DeromeBrener environment - out of chaos great things are born!
We then went on to hang with our favorite Danish crew - the Orgreens - and that is always an explosive affair. What a fantastic bunch they are!
Henrik Orgreen and his team never disappoint and the time we spent with Orgreens at the show was not only productive but relaxing and extremely festive. Please tell us, how do these guys keep coming up with coolest shapes in the industry?
This is a rhetorical question of course. We know exactly how they manage to be ahead - talent, loads of raw, unrestrained, unconfined talent. And imagination! New shapes like Vanquish, Speedster and Cougar will becoming in late '08/early '09 and we promise you, you will not be disappointed. Also, fasten your seatbelts for new finishes and color schemes.... Matte on the outside, shiny on the inside, these new color combinations are like creative time bombs that explode with style on your face, turning your frame into a objet d'art rather than a medical device.
Thank you, Sahra!!!We love your sense of style and your understanding of color!
There were more cool things and after Orgreens, right next to their booth, there she was, tall, blond, wearing cool jacket, jeans and the coolest pair of black acetate frames... Turns out of her own design.
Sandra Kauffmanndesigns for Strada del Sole, a Swiss brand we've been eying for 2 years. Unfortunately, up until now, there were no ophthalmic styles, just sunglasses. Well, not anymore! A super cool collection of edgy and sophisticated acetate shapes has been added and we are getting in it January! Prepare to be impressed!!
Living in Northern California we don't think twice about scheduling an appointment at a hot new winery, to see for ourselves what the fuss is all about. So when Xavier and Aurelia invited us to a party at their house in the French countryside, we insisted they find time to show us the factory. What a better way to learn about the product than visiting the mother ship. We like to work, can't you tell?
But first things first. We must talk about the party! It turned out we were attending Xavier's Dad B-Day extravaganza, and what a spectacular event it was. The hosts were gracious, the setting was spectacular, the company was impeccable and the food and wine were, well, simply out of this world. Only in France!
So, right after you drive past Chateau Chambord, start looking for Chateau DeromeBrenner...
Chateau Chambord in the morning mist.
Xavier Derome welcomes guests.
Meeting the family.
Old wine was like the Loire river - slow and beautiful.
Party scene.
Our new love ... je t aime', Cour-Cheverny Moelleux.
Xavier manages the kids.
Aurelia Brenner.
Few moving pictures.
Party in full swing.
Monsieur Derome Sr. kept the glasses full at all times. We like him a lot.
You can never have too much cheese.
Aurelia's favorite dog... It's is very old but Aurelia hopes the dog lives forever.
Aurelia and her brother-in-law, the man with Magnum of old Champagne, none other than Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall himself. Hugh is a very cool guy who is into sustainable farming, land sharing and humane treatment of animals, among other things. You must check out Hugh's page and then call Food Network and insist, no, demand they bring his show to the States! RIVER COTTAGE.NET
Vielle Prune....TRES DANGEROUS!
With a glass of something, we all ended this fantastic day by the fire. Navigating French countryside and avoiding "animauxdechasse" was not easy, yet we made back to hotel without a "biche" or a "lievre" on the hood of our Citroën .
Now, let's talk about visiting the factory.
Tucked away on a street that leads into the forest, the factory is an example of efficiency and self-reliance. With more than 15 years of experience, Xavier Derome has created a special environment where beautiful acetate frames can be created.
Ah, acetate! It all starts from sheets of acetate of cellulose, or Zyl, and to make a great frame you must start from great ingredients. Xavier and Aurelia insist on using only the finest Mazzucchelli acetate from Italy. Nothing else will do. In most cases they even buy entire stock of certain colors to make sure no other company is able to duplicate their color schemes.
To become a pair of spectacles plastics must undergo incredible number of transformations - lamination, cutting, buffing, polishing, assembly... When we said earlier we were blown away, we weren't kidding. The amount of manual labor is simply mind boggling and every little misstep means in the trash it goes. Sometimes people ask us why plastic frames are so expensive, and in the case of DeromeBrenner the answer was always simple - their frames are so beautiful that from the moment you look at them you know you're dealing with something special. Now, after seeing Xavier and his team manufacturing frames by hand, we have even more respect for these guys. You rock!!
Above and below, Xavier Derome shows off his skills.
Frames from New Deal collection are ready for final shaping and inspection.
DeromeBrenner with stainless steel parts ???? OUI! Coming in 2009.
Unfinished temple from Huggy collection. The new colors are simply sublime!!!
Buffing wheels make the world go round.
New color of Huggy 4.
Unfinished frames from STARDUST collection.
Final destination - stock room. From here DeromeBrenner frames will travel to the best optical stores in the world.
Yes, we are back from the land of buttery croissants and we are happy to be home. Let us begin by apologizing for not delivering the daily reports as promised. From the moment we entered the show, things went out of control and we were either busy, tired, drinking Champs, catching up with old friends and making new ones. But not to worry, we will make up for that as we have scored some amazing product this time, and in the next couple of days we will share all of our experiences during the show and beyond.
Coming up first: absolute highlight of the entire trip - visiting DeromeBrenner factory near Blois in Loire Valley. We were blown away!! You will be too.
We are in France this week, getting ready to hang with our spectacular optical friends during SILMO trade show. We are planning to enjoy ourselves and promise to take only what we need from it.
One day only, on November 22nd, Spectacles for Humans will be showing Cutler and Grosscollection in its entirety. Needless to say, we are delighted we were able to arrange this showing, as in a short time of just 3 months Cutler and Gross frames have become absolute favorites among local eyewear connoisseurs and fashion enthusiasts and everyone wants more, more, more!
What:Cutler and Grosstrunk show
Where: Spectacles for Humans, 3858 24th street in Noe Valley.
What do we do when someone walks into our store saying they heard too many good things about Spectacles for Humans? Simple. We do what we do best - we help you choose the most perfect frame. That's exactly what happened when Elizabeth came to SFH to look for new frames. And it did not take long either! Before we knew it, she was in love with a pair of handmade acetate frames from DeromeBrenner.
Harlem 4 is all about proportion and shape and, to top it all, in this gorgeous chocolate color, it's destined to be a huge hit.
Whether she's walking the streets of San Francisco or playing golf in Puerto Rico, Juanita is never without a pair of sunglasses. She has quite the collection! Her newest set is from Cutler and Gross, model 0692 ROCK in Crystal.
This frame is a classic example of vintage cool, but it's the technique used to produce this stunning texture that's setting it apart from the rest of the crowd. The acetate here is chiseled by knives, literally, creating rough, visually engaging texture that immediately draws your attention. One of the best frames we have seen this year!
While many contemporary designers approach vintage eyewear with very little understanding of the subject, Benjamin Montoya, a Optician based in LA, is proving he knows how to make great classic specs.
His inaugural collection is a true intellectual expedition into the world of spectacles and it is only natural it found home on the shelves atSpectacles for Humans. Classic pilot shapes are customized with intricate acetate details and the use of softly colored lenses signals sophistication and understated luxury.
When it comes to acetate, the shapes are elegant and clever. Carefully modified and crafted to comply with modern demands, we strongly believe this collection is of the most comfortable on the market today.
With Spivvy sold out, PropoDesign stock count down to bare bones, and with SpecEspace making a grand entrance, it looks like Spectacles for Humans is continuing to drill where no one saw any potential. Let's just call it off-shore shopping. Our Japanese friends are so extremely talented and creative it makes it really difficult for us to look for new product some place else. Still, while we really do feel this way about state of eyewear in Japan, we don't miss an opportunity to examine lines that come our way, be they European... or what not.
During our most recent encounter with Freudenhaus collection we were pleasantly surprised to learn it was finally freed from unsavory distribution grip and is now distributed directly by the company. Good for them! The rules are changing and those who grasp the globalism of this market are destined to thrive. With that said, we found Freudenhaus, at least at the stage it's at right now, not to be the right line for SFH. Don't despair, life does not end if we don't carry it. If you live in San Francisco, you will find Freudenhaus at City Optix, Invision Optometry and Urban Optics, all very fine eyewear outlets.
This is classic post-modern Japanese eyewear at its best, where serious avant-garde elements and traditional craftsmanship compliment each other with precision and grace and all we can say is we are privileged to have it.
It is nowhere but Japan where traditional or classical elements can achieve such heights. While the rest of the world actively pursues the ghosts of overproduction, Japanese craftsmen find it rude to hurry. Meticulous, precise and sure of execution, small "mom and pop" shops deliver stunning objects designed by younger generations of eyewear enthusiasts. How can you top this?
Strada Del Sole acetate frame, above.
Model Bianca. 
