Two Opticians In Milan

TWO OPTICIANS IN MILAN

Staring over the Alps from our British Airways flight to Milan, I could almost taste brioche. I was transported back to ski trips there as a mildly miserable teenager. Something I was incredibly lucky to experience, though I probably didn’t fully appreciate it until I was older… and Mark stopped paying for my holidays. The glory days.

Our fellow travellers clearly had the same destination in mind. Independent opticians and optometrists do tend to stand out. Well-fitted blazers. Brightly patterned blouses. Spectacle frames that shout, “look at me.”

We were pilgrims on our way to MIDO, where the finest spectacle designers, lens manufacturers and optical equipment makers gather to present their wares, all in the home of European fashion: Milan.

OPTICAL SHOW? WHAT OPTICAL SHOW?

It may be blindingly obvious to say, but the Italians know how to make nice things. So once I knew the Alpha Romeo museum was just outisde Milan, that became our first destination. Optical show? What optical show?

Standing beside these rolling works of art, listening to Mark explain the intricate workings of an internal combustion engine, and appreciating the subtle changes in curves across the body work of these beauties, made me realise how powerful good design is.

With everything we do in practice, from frames and lenses to equipment and shop fitting, design matters. Trusting our suppliers to deliver outstanding products, time and again, makes our work easier and far more enjoyable.

It also made me think more carefully about what I wanted to achieve in Milan. And what came next did not disappoint.

NOT ANOTHER NICE FRAME RANGE!

Imagine wearing a spectacle frame made from materials older than the Emporer Nero! These extraordinary frames by Sebastian Geslin are handcrafted from ancient oak that has been preserved in a bog for over 2000 years. (See image below left).

Or how about Piero Massaro’s bold, beautifully crafted acetates. Each one a work of art and painstakingly hand finished. Even Mark wanted to wear one! (Images below, centre, right)

I had been warned about how overwhelming MIDO can be, so I came armed with a set of guidelines and Sarah’s advice in my head. “Don’t buy anything at tradeshows! You’ll make the wrong choice.“

SO… WHAT FRAMES ARE COMING TO MJEC?

What do I want to achieve by adding a new frame range to our shelves? The styles need to fit in with what we’re known for: interesting designs, colour, craftmanship, value, and of course, being independent.

Morel fitted that brief perfectly. And I am delighted to say they will be the first frame range to grace our shelves this year. They’re bright, bold and punchy, great. But also have contemporary, straight forward designs that suit the more subtle of tastes. They’re also family run and have been making frames since 1880. (See images below). They will sit around the £200-£250 mark.

We’ll see more interesting brands coming in later in the year, but for now, I’ll keep those under wraps. We’ll do a big reveal when the time comes.

THE VERDICT

Milan was amazing. Not the most beautiful Italian city, but as Mark pointed out, it’s about the same size as Birmingham. Fair enough.

I consumed a year’s worth of gluten, drooled on beautiful cars, and wanted to buy every frame range at MIDO. The cannoli were decent too.

The glitz and glamour of MIDO was exhausting, yes, but the frame ranges we’ll be bringing back to our little practice are very exciting, and I can’t wait to share them with you all.