A PAIR of eyeglasses does not only need to have accurately graded lenses, it would also be nice for it to complement your personal style and face shape.
Italian eyewear manufacturer Safilo, through its official distributor Ark Trends, Inc., launched the distribution of collections from six of its luxury brands, marking its presence in the Philippines.
“If you look at the retail business, brands are actively building their presence and this also a great opportunity to build the eyewear category. The Filipinos are more brand-focused and aware of quality,” Vincent Cleme, Safilo Group brand associate director for APAC, told BusinessWorld shortly after the launch on Oct. 11 at Manila House Private Club in BGC which saw artists drawing the faces of guests at the event.
The Safilo Group carries brands with a strong legacy in craftsmanship. Designs from its core brand, sports eyewear Carrera; and its licensed brands — Jimmy Choo, Fendi, Hugo Boss, MaxMara, and Dior — are the collections launched.
These include prescription eyewear and sunglasses with playfully constructed frames and bold colors such as pink, blue, and yellow.
According to Mr. Cleme, the Safilo Group anticipates trends and works on the eyewear collections for 18 months in advance at five design studios located around the world. Their team monitors trends not only in eyewear design but also material. “Based on that (trends), [our team] anticipates trends of eyewear of one and a half years [in the future] and then, design our collection,” he said.
“I think the easy way of picking eyewear is to go for the eyewear that everyone has,” Mr. Cleme observed. He said, however, that the rule of thumb in eyewear is to choose a design that complements your face shape.
According to Mr. Cleme, rectangular frames go well with round faces; angular frames for oval faces; people with angular jawline may opt for round frames.
Mr. Cleme said his knowledge on eyewear suitability is based on experience.
“I spend a lot of time making people try eyewear. I think I’ve reached a point where, when I see someone, then I know more or less [the pieces] in the collection which will fit the person the best,” he said. “But I never say that I would be the one to choose because at the end of the day, it should be a personal choice.”
Safilo’s eyewear collection is available at LS Pascual in Rockwell, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Magnolia, and TriNoma; Optical Works in SM Lucena, SM Lipa, Festival Mall, SM Dasmariñas, SM Southmall, SM Bacoor, Shoppesville, SM North EDSA, SM Marilao, and SM Pampanga; and George Optical in Solenad Sta. Rosa. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

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