Friday, November 28, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Cutler and Gross collection San Francisco.
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 Gross date 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 Jay sport pilot shapes from Cutler and Gross.See Jay and his band Space Vacation play at Kimo's in Francisco on Friday, November 28th.
myspace.com/spacevacation
Sunday, November 16, 2008
More news from SILMO
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 Kauffmann designs 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!!
More to come!
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 Kauffmann designs 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!!
More to come!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
CUTLER AND GROSS TRUNK SHOW...is very soon!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd. 11am until 5 pm.
What to expect: the entire collection is yours to play with plus drinks and beats.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Life at Chateau DeromeBrenner
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 "animaux de chasse" 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.
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 "animaux de chasse" 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.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Back from SILMO
Bonjour, bonjour!!
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.
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.
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