Tag: classy

NEW IN! Leisure Society

Very exciting: We finally got to open the Leisure Society box! They are just lovely.

 Leisure Society’s frames are certainly not like the average frame. This is something really special. The detailing is rich and super fine. Some frames are 24 K gold plated. The sunglass lenses (being scratch proof, anti glare, 12-layered anti reflective treated and 99.9% distortion free) are of the best quality you can find.

We recieved both opftalmic frames and sunglasses. We also love the careful thought put into the details of the etchings in the metal and the case, boxes for the case, cleaning cloth and the lovely booklet that each frame comes with and the lookbook and display material for the shop. Everything is made so carefully. These are truly high end frames.

All frames are handmade in Japan wich gives them the great quality and they were all designed by Shane Baum, the founder of Baum Vision. You can read more about Leisure Society and watch the lovely movie in a previous post we wrote.

Here’s a few of close ups. Enjoy!


Even the small metal piece on the nose pads are etched.


Tasteful details.


The boxes for the case for the frame.


Love the burgundy on top!


Optical frame in lovely frosty acetate.


Lovely inside and out.


This is a really elegant frame.

Classic Persol

Persol is a very classic Italian eyewear brand founded in 1917 and several of their glasses feature the characteristic metal arrow hinges. The name is derived from “per il sole”, Italian for “for the sun”. If you find a pair of vintage Persol it says “Ratti” inside the temple and the quality is wonderful. In 1995 Luxottica took over the production of Persol.

One of Persol’s most important figures is definitely  Steve McQueen, who wore Persol 714 with blue lenses in the “Thomas Crown Affair” in 1968 (See picture below). Additional fun fact: the custom pair Steve McQueen wore in the movie was auctioned for $60.000! Steve McQueen also wore another very similar Persol frame called 649 in his every day life.

thomas-crown-affair-rolls-royce
Steve McQueen wearing the Persol 714 with blue lenses in “The Thomas Crown Affair”. Photo from here.


Steve McQueen in Persol. Photo from here.


Marcello Mastroianni in “Divorce Italian Style” wearing the Persol 649. Photo from here.

Persol’s 649 (see picture below) looks exactly like 714 but is not foldable. The 649 was made in 1957 for tram drivers in Turin who needed large glasses to protect their eyes from dust and air. It was made famous in 1961 by Marcello Mastroianni who wore a black pair in “Divorce Italian Style” (See picture above). We really like the 649 in tortoise and green-gray lenses also known as G-15 lenses. Very classic frames, you can rarely go wrong when buying this one.

Persol sunglasses were James Bond’s only choice a few times, both Daniel Craig and Pirece Brosnan wore them as Bond. We could keep namedropping celebrities who’ve worn Persol but we think this is enough for now.

Vintage Alberto Puccini

We had a wig party Saturday and I just had to wear my Vintage Alberto Puccini with my blonde wig. Great night out with the girls!

The quality of vintage frames is usually excellent. I wish glasses still had that great quality.

I think some eyewear brands such as Dita and Barton Perreira have that same texture and perfect finish as the vintage ones, but it’s rare. Unfortunately clothing brands rarely make high quality frames.

Details

Sometimes it’s fun to accessorize with glasses in other ways than actual glasses.

I bought this broche at the Brillenmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands last summer. they have an excellent collection of old glasses and anything historical concerning optometry. I will post photos from the museum in the future. If in amsterdam, you should definately pay them a visit! They also sell vintage frames such as Persol Ratti.