When optics meets fashion

Over recent years, glasses have evolved. Once considered mere practical and functional tools, they have become true fashion accessories.

Opticians have accompanied this change and transformed their shops into retail spaces where wearers are invited to try the latest trends and discover new collections.

Even the lenses are presented in a more attractive and "on-trend" way. Keeping informed and finding inspiration are the watchwords.

One only needs to walk down the street to see how widely the new styles have been adopted. Change happens quickly. In recent times, manufacturers have been increasingly developing the logo-free "vintage" style. It is the end of rectangular frames with heavy arms and conspicuous logos.

Opticians are increasingly bold in adapting their collections to the latest trends. They can keep informed through biannual bulletins and find inspiration by attending major professional events such as Amsterdam Fashion Week, which dedicates a pole to eyewear trends.

This trade show, presented by the "BRILLANT" Club — an organisation that brings together the best independent opticians — attracts optics professionals, leading fashion magazine editors and all the media with an interest in the field.

Heavy advertising helps to position glasses more as a fashion accessory than a simple corrective device. Today we change our glasses as we do our shoes or handbag, and own more than one pair, which must be adapted to the situation and coordinated with our clothing.

The optical frame trends for the winter 2018 season reflect the trends of fashion.

We are witnessing a strong comeback of the butterfly shape ("cat-eye"), with retro inspiration, black frames and more luxurious frames. Lenses are mainly untinted, but colours are gaining popularity in the segment of trendier wearers.

For several years now, on the occasion of the runway shows that punctuate Amsterdam's international fashion week, the "BRILLANT" Club has been presenting young Dutch designers and design celebrities.

Badgley Mischka and Margaret Maldonado, stars of the house "L'Agence", accepted this invitation to showcase their couture collections and their eyewear creations.

More recently, Italia Independent captivated audiences with its spectacular Velvet collection.

Oliver Peoples, Anne et Valentin, Linda Farrow, Sama Eyewear are just a few of the great designers who have taken their place alongside the talented young Dutch designers.

All the shows were widely covered by the media and the films can be screened in stores.