Tag Archives: summer eyewear trends

You Asked for It, We Have It: Luxury Eyewear Made in America

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State Optical.It sounds like a classic tale of the American dream and yet it’s contemporary.  Jason Stanley and Marc Franchi (who are cousins, by the way) bought a tiny optical business called Frieze Frames in Ventura, California back in 2009.  Their dream was to create a line of luxury eyewear not only headquartered or designed in America, but actually manufactured in the USA.  Everyone told them why it wouldn’t work – the high cost of labor, the lack of people skilled in the trade, you name it.  But, like true heroes, they didn’t just give up.  By visiting eyewear factories in France, Italy and China, they gained expertise in the manufacturing process and indeed brought it to America, albeit on a small scale.

Then, in 2013, Stanley and Franchi’s superior American product caught the attention of the big eyewear firm Europa International, which had tried, unsuccessfully, to woo overseas partners to open up manufacturing lines in the US because American consumers were asking for eyewear made in America.  The Frieze Frames’ owners’ passion and dedication was just what Europa was looking for and a partnership was born:  State Optical Company. Please watch this video:

 http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/originals/ct-state-optical-frame-makers-bsi-20160311-story.html#

State EyewearTogether, the new partners enlisted the aid of experienced frame designer Blake Kuwahara, who created 12 ophthalmic and six sunglass frames for the STATE’s “Made in America” collection, which made its official debut last September.  Kuwahara’s vision was brought to life in a beautiful new state-of-the art facility outside Chicago where specially trained American workers undertake at least 35 steps to produce each frame (and up to 70 steps for ultra-luxury models).  Over 50% of the production is done by hand in a painstaking process that requires a full two weeks.  These frames are not molded, but rather are cut from blocks of material, then the details are cut into the frame and the pieces are hand polished.  The texture and balance of the frame, along with superior machined metal components, gives a luxury aesthetic and tactile experience.

State Eyewear

21 drilled holes to represent Illinois, which was the 21st State to enter the Union.

These classic, sleek and yet elegant acetate frames bear a logo with special meaning.  At the end of each temple, you’ll find a pyramid of 21 points that are drilled into the frame and then filled with a contrasting color epoxy.  Why 21?  Because Illinois, home of the new US factory, is the 21st state.

Planning a summer vacation to the Midwest?  STATE Optical welcomes visitors to its Chicago-area plant.  That’s right; you don’t have to be a business owner or an eye doctor.  All are welcome to witness the beginning of what STATE hopes will be a new wave of products manufactured in America.

State Factory in Chicago

We’re proud to offer STATE Optical’s high quality, luxury eyewear line.  Come see for yourself what Made in America really means.

State Optical chalkboard on Westminster St, Providence

State Optical chalkboard on Westminster St, Providence

Mad about Hue

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Tons of colors for Summer

Now that the summer season is officially here, it’s time to think about your new summer look for the office, at play or when you’re trying to impress others at social gatherings.  There are 10 distinct trends and we offer a bit of advice on how to pair eyewear with your outfits for maximum impact.

1- Color inside the frame creates a subtle flash of hue when you tilt your head.

1- Pants suits:  Of course you want to look sophisticated when you wear a suit, but then you might find you can’t resist this summer’s offering of colorful stripes, solids and florals.  To project that executive aura, choose a classy tortoise frame that features speckles of a bright hue mixed in.  Or, if you want to show a little spunk, go for a frame that is a solid black or brown on the exterior, but with a splash of color on the inside of the frame that shows when you tilt your head.

2- This fluorescent pink frame will go with your crispy white shirt

2- Classic White:  What could be more quintessentially summer than white?  But let’s face it, white can be b-o-r-i-n-g all by itself.  Spice it up with frames in a fluorescent shade and you will turn heads wherever you go.

 

 

 

3- Double color front for Pastels

3- Pastels:  The essence of delicacy in the summer palette, pastels needs a little help to keep them from falling into the category of dull.  Opt for eyewear with double colors to balance the understated tone of a pastel outfit.

 

 

 

4- Clean and refined matte nylon frame for sport inspired trend.

4- Sport Motifs:  The fashion runways this year featured sports-inspired fare such as varsity jackets, tennis-inspired dresses, baseball caps and stripy trims reminiscent of jogging-wear.  Follow through on this theme with lightweight nylon frames in playful colors.

 

 

 

5- Solid bright color frame with distinct shape to balance a classy black and white outfit.

5- Black and White:  This summer classic projects a clean, crisp look, but it risks being a little too unimaginative.  Add contrast and an element of playful shock with brightly colored frames in an edgy shape.

 

 

 

6- Matte finish available in different frames materials will tone down iridescent hues of your outfit.

6- Iridescent:  We love shiny, sparkly stuff for the summer, but it can be a little “too too” if your accessories also are shiny.  Tone it down a little with matte eyewear that balances your look.

 

 

 

 

7- Eyewear with a single distinctive line to go with any mesh clothes

7- Mesh:  Trendy and cool for the summer, mesh has a complex array of overlapping strong lines.  To avoid creating competing drama – or the opposite extreme:  a whimpy counterpart – choose eyewear with a single distinctive line.

 

 

 

8- Wear skin tone pastels eyewear with bright graphic sweaters.

8- Luxe Sweatshirts/Sweaters:

Another great look for this summer is a sweater or sweat shirt with bright splashes of color.  Don’t set up a competition with equally bright frames.  Instead, opt for understated eyewear in skin tone or a pale pastel shade.

 

 

This deep blue makes a bold yet classy statement.

Blue for Guys:  Great news for guys who are tired of elegant and classy, but somewhat boring, black accessories:  Blue is the new black.  Go for a strong look with navy or dark blue, opt for a more playful, sporty look with bright blue, or put on a sophisticated air with a distinctive but understated gray-blue.

 

 

9- Wear skinny lines, thin glasses with a trend.

9- Bold Geometrics:  Nothing says “fun” like a summer ensemble with a color block pattern or strong geometric shape in bold colors.  To echo, but not outdo, the look with your eyewear, choose thin frames with a distinctive look, either in a complementary bold tone or in an understated neutral hue.

10- With his Google Glass, Google launched the trend of wearable technology.

10-Wearable Technology:

 Available in 5 colors, Google Glass will definitely suits with any outfits.  Your Glass will follow you anywhere and will made technology available any time. The eyewear by Google has already reached the upper echelons of influence. It was featured in Vogue Magazine and has accessorized coral and turquoise garments at the Diane Von Furstenberg Runway Show during New York’s Fashion Week for Spring 2013.

“Million Dollar Arm”: Two Thumbs up for the Eyewear

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The Emerson is sophisticated, but that doesn’t mean expressionless!

Disney’s newest release, “Million Dollar Arm,” has just hit the big screen, grossing about $10.5 in its first weekend.  While the movie itself – a true life story about a down-on-his-luck sports agent  seeking new baseball pitching talent in India – gets mixed reviews, actor Aasif Mandvi, who plays the sports agent’s business partner, gets a big thumbs up for his eyewear.

What are those chic executive frames he’s wearing?  The classy “Emerson,” which is part of OGI’s Seraphin product line. Mandvi sports (pun intended) the tortoise shell color option, but this frame also comes in a sophisticated black, an elegant dark tortoise and an understated mottled gray.  “Emerson” is one of our most popular frames, which just goes to show that Providence citizens are fashion savvy.

The Emerson frame’s close cousin: OGI 7150

If you like the Emerson, but have a smaller face or want more color, consider OGI’s model 7150, which has a similar front and is available in conservative black, tortoise or mottled gray or in a beautiful upscale tortoise flecked with blue and paired with beautiful translucent blue temples.

“Niles” by OGI Seraphin is the antithesis of Emerson — for those who like curves and thin lines.

 

If you’re not a fan of the geek chic or executive look, OGI offers an amazing array of other shapes, including ovals, rectangles and cat eyes.  You can find both metal and plastic options and one of the industries rarest hybrids:  Plastic frames with nosepads.  OGI even makes parent-child pairs of eyewear so your little one can wear glasses just like yours.  Come explore with us!