THANK YOU to all who came to see the Anne et Valentin and LaLoop collections on Wednesday, February 3rd. Gabriel Gestin had a blast meeting and playing with our super cool clientele.
Below are a few pictures from the day. Check out the fancy spread of croissants, breads, wine and cheeses that John put together. Will we ever forget that imported smoked hand-carved ham? Not anytime soon…
Gabriel shootin' the breeze with Joe Dicker.
Ms. Kelly modeling next to the LaLoop collection.
The Spread!
—Wednesday February 3rd, 2010—
Noon to 7pmAll of us at Specs Optical are excited to announce that Elizabeth Faraut of LaLoop and Gabriel Gestin of Anne et Valentin will be here with their entire collections on display!
It is an extremely rare occasion that the entire Anne et Valentin collection will be available for viewing outside their own family run shop in Toulouse, South of France. Anne et Valentin frames are all-at-once clean, colorful, sculptural, vibrant, and unique. It is not uncommon to hear us describe them as “show-stoppers.” The right Anne et Valentin piece will compliment and accentuate your identity…a style all your own.
And after you pick out your beautiful new Anne et Valentin specs, why not compliment them with a handmade LaLoop. Designer Elizabeth Faraut created LaLoop out of necessity as an alternate to old-fashioned granny leashes (you know…the ones the dangle to either side of the face). LaLoop, worn as a necklace, is a must-have for anybody wearing sunglasses, multiple pairs, readers, etc.. If there is always a place for your specs, you won’t lose them, right? Sterling silver, gold, and bronze loops are paired with leather, shell, horn and tortoise acetates, semi-precious stones, and wood. Styles range from clean and simple to downright couture and have been prominently featured in Cosmo, Allure, Instyle, and Elle…to name a few.
Elizabeth and Gabriel are looking forward to meeting and playing with all of you. If you’d like to make an appointment to sit with one or both of them, please give us a call @ 612.374.2114 or drop us an email. Otherwise, stop by anytime between Noon and 7pm!
Lyle Jackson and Ellen Roeder of Tulle and Dye, as seen in the Star Tribune. Article by Kim Ode photo by Tom Wallace.
This caption from the article celebrates people still doing custom hand made goods. Lyle is connected to SPECS OPTICAL in oh, so many ways. Tulle and Dye’s work has been out there, notably for several years in the form of the costumes for Daytons/Marshal Fields/Macy’s holiday displays, theater and dance in Minneapolis and New York, including James Sewall Ballet, Zenon Dance Company, and Alvin Ailey. Tulle and Dye also did the costuming for Grey Gardens and Rocky Horror Show for the McKnight Theater, and you can see their work in “Beauty and the Beast” at the Ordway this December. OK… I have to brag, because I did a little teeny tiny part of a costume for the show. And…as one might guess…it is sparkly.
Lyle is wearing one of my favorite brands, Mel Rapp. Mel, a Toronto designer, also embraces the art of hand made crafts. Unlike the above tutu, it should not cause chafing!
It’s always exciting and humbling for us to see our work out there, like the cool Specs on Juliette, just up the street at the Terrace Hair Neon Beach and so many others in the neighborhood. It gives us goose bumps to see “hand made” thrive in the Twin Cities. In our small way, we try to emulate those same values here at SPECS OPTICAL .
Carry on friends!
Steven
New Years Eve is upon us and, as always, we will be rockin’ in the New Year with our clients all day Thursday, December 31st. Flex spending dollars are about to expire at the years end, so we are sure to be a busy bunch. But, we will make time to celebrate with everyone who comes to see us.
There will be our usual flutes of champagne flowing, as well as coffee, cappuccino and latte drinks. Count on John bringing in a fancy platter of dangerously delicious confections from La Patisserie.
So stop on by and lift a glass in celebration of life, friends, and happiness! And while you’re at it, check out some of the grooviest new eyewear this season.
It was a wonderful day to open the Star Tribune to find that some of our favorite new and old friends were being featured last Friday the 11th in the Variety section. Amazing people make amazing things happen. Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack took time out of his busy schedule to sit in on Sen. Al Franken’s luncheon. You never know who you’re going to have lunch with while in Wash D.C. To learn what was discussed between bites go to MYDINOSAURLIFE.COM. Look for Justin to be wearing a Dita Statesmen in days to come.
Justin Pierre is looking fabulous wearing Kirk Originals. Sen. Franken... we'll get him in here soon. Photo courtesy of MYDINOSAUR.COM
Who knows where any of you go after you leave here in your romantic, whimsical, sexy, playful… oh just put your own adjective in to describe your eyeglasses. Well some, like Christine Rosholt go to a place that most of us can only dream about. Our local Jazz singer has been entertaining us for many years and last week she was performing at Honey. You can catch her wearing her Francis Klein Petale’s while dazzling you with Jazz – ful sounds at the Wabasha Street Caves December 17 and the Dakota County Music Cafe this New Years Eve.
Christine Rosholt looking fabulous in her Francis Klein Petale. Photo by Tom Wallace. twallace@startribune.com
In a wonderful show of importance, Curator Joe Horse Capture has worked nearly five years on a project that is near and dear to him. Brought to us through ” From Our Ancestors: Art of the White Clay People”. The show ends March 7 and can be seen at Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Doesn’t Joe look regal in his Theo Carbonades.
Curator Joe Horse Capture wearing the Theo Carbonade. Photo by Tom Sweeney. tsweeney@startribune.com
We are so proud to be a part of your lives by providing a beautiful and fun way for you to see. You can go anywhere but have chosen us at Specs Optical as your eyewear friends. Here’s to your continued success this Holiday Season and into the New Year.
A big THANK YOU to Nick Allegri of LINDBERG Eyewear of Denmark for braving the crazy (but typical of this time o’ year, right?) weather this past Tuesday, Dec. 8th.
And an even bigger THANK YOU to our clients who took advantage of Nick’s insight on LINDBERG and sat with him to create their new looks. Here are few pics of the days events:
Many of our clients already know about the spectacular titanium rimless eyewear LINDBERG has been creating for the last two decades. But, did you know that they also handcraft many of their pieces out of 18-carat gold, platinum, diamonds, and buffalo horn? They are called LINDBERG PRECIOUS!
LINDBERG Precious is one of the most prestigious international eyewear collections. The frames are handmade and individually crafted to fit the wearer’s face. Frames are available in 18-carat (750) Greenlandic yellow gold, white gold, red gold, as well as platinum (950), and can be finished with a high polish, matted, or brushed surface. A special hardening process developed by LINDBERG allows the precious metals the right degree of flexibility without compromising resilience or strength.
LINDBERG uses only the highest quality Top Wesselton VVS Diamonds known for their beautiful clarity and colour. Diamonds are brilliant-cut and custom mounted by a LINDBERG goldsmith. Size, quantity, and positioning of the diamonds can vary, allowing each piece to be it’s own work of art.
Natural Water Buffalo Horn temples are connected by 18-carat gold and platinum inlays. Each horn temple boasts variation in depth of colour and markings. Every pair is truly unique.
Come see this collection in person as they are not just eyewear, but pieces of jewelry. Nick will be bringing several designs that we would not ordinarily show in the shop. He will assist you in customizing your very own LINDBERG creation, whether it be from the precious or titanium collection.
Tis not only a season of ginger and spice, but one of thoughtful gift giving. What better way to show a loved one you are thinking of their well-being and sense of style but with a gift certificate to Specs Optical? Kill two birds with one stone (at least knock ‘em outta that pear tree).
Specs Optical gift certificates are created in any denomination (have they been naughty or nice?) and available to purchase in store, over the phone, or via email. A beautifully designed gift card and accompanying envelope are provided.
Gift certificates are actually available year-round which makes them perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and just about every holiday (St. Patty’s Day?). And the best part is…they never expire, so there’s no pressure to use it or lose it (like your flex spending dollars!)
1. How would your mother describe you in one word? Ohhhhh,ohhhhh,ohhhhhh, GREAT.
2. What is your favorite flower? Frail and Delicate
3. What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked? Did you try to do that with your hair?
4. What word in the English language do you wish you would have invented? Wiener
5. Where would you like to live? The Desert.
6. What is the first quote that comes to your mind? ‘Always smell it first’
7. What animal best describes the kind of boy (girl) you’d be interested in? Ring Tail Lemur
8. What do you miss about your childhood? Simplicity
9. If you could change your name, what would it be? John Jacob Jinglehymer Schmidt
10. What is the main fault in your character? Fault??????
11. Who is your favorite historical figure? John Hopp
12. Describe how you kiss in one word? No
13. If you met the right girl (or boy) today, would you propose tomorrow? Again?
14. What in the world do you least desire? seriousness, ill health
15. Why do you think most girls (most boys) date you? Stunning good looks, vast wealth, laughter
16. Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…” Liquor
Hello friends of Specs Optical. Here is the latest and greatest of the season.
Fresh from Henrik Orgreen’s airplane hanger, aviation inspired frames harking back to the glory days of flight. Take off with the Panther, Mercury, Wolf and other sortees.
Bevel has payed homage to the Gloved One himself, Michael Jackson. You’ll be standing on your toes with Beat it, P.Y.T., Billie Jean and lets not forget Thriller. Ah ah ah ahhh.
Our Parisian friends at Francis Klein have out done themselves again by romancing us with a stellar collection that features hand – set crystals, enamel flowers colored rivets, hand etching and painting. Be sure to check out Tatia, Tina and Camille. Tres chic!
Don’t check that beret just yet, Anne et Valentine from the south of France have wowed us with Silver inlay. This just goes to show you that true love is more than skin deep. You will fall in love with the Poete, Plume and Patty.
Make sure you visit us at Specs Optical soon to get the best selection of these and many of the other fabulous frames from around the world that we carry.