Ask me about Eyewear!

Thanks for your detailed reply, nightic. Very helpful.

Originally Posted by upnorth

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I remember hearing that the co-creators of IC berlin left to set up Mykita and subsequently made improvements to the original designs. Hence, some have said that mykita is a better overall product with a more refine hinge. But that was all a few years ago. What is the current position? Who makes a more superior product now? Are there any other brands along this line that may be far superior?
I think both produce good products. They both thrive to ring new designs and innovation to the market. I don't think I could say that one is much better than the other and at the same time I can't say that either one is worse than the other. I am sure they have their better models between the lines but it seems like the quality is probably at par with one another. my 2 cents. Other brands to consider: Urband (similar no screw design and flat metal titanium), Artreon by Kio Yamato (flat metal titanium but has screws but a completely different look), Light Tec (inexpensive flat metal temples with normal fronts, but not in the same league in terms of quality).

Originally Posted by Reggs

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Quick Q

About how much does it cost to have polarized Rx lenses made and fitted for sunglasses?

Depends on the curvature and RX. I would say that most places will start in the $150 and up to $400 depending on shop location, lens manufacture, curvature, RX, and frame design.

Shop around and find a good reliable place.

Originally Posted by square wave

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Where can I find a pair of the black louis vuitton faux semblant?

From what I understand, they do not have a distributor. They only sell them in the LV boutiques. If you want to find an authentic pair, I would stick to the LV boutiques.

Originally Posted by poissa

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From what I've gathered the Luxottica group owns or makes frames for: Anne Klein
Brooks Brothers
Bulgari
Burberry
Chanel
Chaps
Club Monaco

D&G
Dolce&Gabbana
DKNY
Donna Karan eyewear
Miu Miu
Polo Ralph Lauren
Prada

Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Salvatore Ferragamo
Tiffany
Tory Burch
Versace
Versus
Pearl Vision and Lenscrafters, no wonder the prices seems fixed between the two brick & mortar locations. I'd like to avoid paying one company from making a couple of frames and putting D&G, Gucci, Prada, Polo etc on the frames.

Anyone know who makes handmade frames anymore? Handmade with acetate would be one better ;-)


You are correct, now look up Safilo. They own the other half of lines. hahaha....

There are lots of hand made frames. What sort of style, material, look... are you looking for?

Originally Posted by nightic

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Finally, Lindberg's conservative approach to their overall aesthetics is, in my opinion, more consistent in producing a decent look when worn.
IC Berlin and Mykita have so many designs, many of which seem to prioritise looking great when on display.
I've tried perhaps 60 or 70 pairs in the past couple of years and I haven't found a single one that I thought looked great on me (and I have an oval face + average PD, so not the hardest features to shop for).

You are correct. IC and Mykita have a more industrial look that work for some people but definitely not for all. The Lindberg collect as a whole is a very clean and minimalist line. The styles are much more tame and conservative without looking out of date. IC/Mykita has a very niche crowd and cult like followers which is great for them but some times I think that it is due to their marketing and not so much their style. That is not to say that they dont make good frames, because I think they do make quality stuff.

my 2 cents

I just had a pair of Lindberg eyeglasses made, and they are pretty amazing. No screws whatsoever, all titanium, and very interesting design (especially the hinges). Plus, you can mix and match the frames and temples as all of the hinges are the same. The pair I got are fairly round and a classic shape, in polished titanium, which looks like polished nickel or dull silver.

I'm thinking about having some custom precrip sunglasses made with some other Lindberg frames...

Originally Posted by zissou

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I just had a pair of Lindberg eyeglasses made, and they are pretty amazing. No screws whatsoever, all titanium, and very interesting design (especially the hinges). Plus, you can mix and match the frames and temples as all of the hinges are the same. The pair I got are fairly round and a classic shape, in polished titanium, which looks like polished nickel or dull silver.

I'm thinking about having some custom precrip sunglasses made with some other Lindberg frames...

Being able to custom put parts together is great when you know what you want. It is basically a custom made pair. I'm glad you found a shop that treated you well and delivered the goods that you were expecting and to your standards.

I just did some further research and found that these days, Lindbergs are now made in Philippines. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I find it reeks of industrial hypocrisy that a company moves operations to a cheaper location yet continues to charge "EU made" prices.

I see your points about IC Berlin and Mykita, I might just have to look for and try on as many german made frames to make sure I get the right one.

On another note, what is the opinion of Markus T and Less than Human (Japan) frames?

Originally Posted by upnorth

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I just did some further research and found that these days, Lindbergs are now made in Philippines. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I find it reeks of industrial hypocrisy that a company moves operations to a cheaper location yet continues to charge "EU made" prices.

I see your points about IC Berlin and Mykita, I might just have to look for and try on as many german made frames to make sure I get the right one.

On another note, what is the opinion of Markus T and Less than Human (Japan) frames?
Yesterday 09:52 PM
I can't find confirmation of that.
The only evidence I've seen of this was a comment by someone who distributes a competing, Danish-made eyewear product and who states that manufacture is in the Philippines with assembly etc. in Denmark.

If it is accurate though, I wouldn't say that the 'manufacturing' aspect is necessarily the important part of the process - in the case of the 9500 range, it would involve not much more than the stamping out of the sheet Titanium.
The assembly and finishing is where the quality is 'added'.

Having said that though, if we're discussing high-end eyewear, there's not much point in trying to find value - they're ridiculously and unjustifiably overpriced for what they are.

Your best best is to see all these brands in person - when I was last looking for a pair of metal-strip type frames, I had completely discounted the Lindbergs and was set on some IC Berlins, Mykitas, ByWPs, Meyers or Reykjavik Eyes.
All of that changed within the first few opticians visits.
I would say that when handled, you get a sense of slightly lower quality with the sheet Stainless Steel frames than with the Titanium ones (notice the rather basic forming of the nose pad arms on IC Berlin/Mykita, for example).

Good luck in your search though.

With regards to the other brands you mention - I was never able to find a store in London which stocked the Markus T 'Titan' range, only the 'ME' line.
I found that these were always really small and the materials used quite ordinary.

The Japanese brands (I quite liked Yellows Plus) always looked of a decent quality but for most of them, there wasn't a lot of innovation going on.

NB - Slipped my mind before - not sure if you've visited this store's site yet but they have a small selection of IC Berlin, Mykita and Markus T (amongst others) photographed being worn:
http://www.irisoptical.co.uk/frames.cfm

On the whole though, the Japanese eyewear store sites are much more thorough than their western equivalents, often with far more detailed photos and with products being modelled.
One of my favourites is:
http://www.makotoweb.com/

Originally Posted by nightic

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The assembly and finishing is where the quality is 'added'.

I agree. I believe that "high end" refers to the quality of the finish and innovation behind the product, not the price point. There are tons of products that are over priced but not high end, IMO.

Originally Posted by upnorth

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I just did some further research and found that these days, Lindbergs are now made in Philippines. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I find it reeks of industrial hypocrisy that a company moves operations to a cheaper location yet continues to charge "EU made" prices.

I see your points about IC Berlin and Mykita, I might just have to look for and try on as many german made frames to make sure I get the right one.

On another note, what is the opinion of Markus T and Less than Human (Japan) frames?

I cannot confirm if they are made in the Philippines.

In terms of Markus T, personally I think they are more inspired by Stephan Preutz and other designs than innovators. I will give them that they have modified and maybe even improved the designs but IMHO I think they are more inspired by other concepts instead of being innovators. Don't get me wrong, they seem to be well made.

CityConnection, I tried on a pair of lunor's metal 01 Uploaded with ImageShack.us for like $659 from georgetown optician, pricey for sure. The frames were beautiful hexagonal and I wish I could find a similar handmade pair for $300 less =\\ Do opticians leave room to negotiate prices on the coatings, lenses, frames or anything. I've tried on a pair of Barton Perrerio and Paul Smith both supposedly handmade as well. These are more in my price point, long story short around $350 what are my options for handmade frames similar to Lunor's? Thanks a million =)

Originally Posted by nightic

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I can't find confirmation of that.
The only evidence I've seen of this was a comment by someone who distributes a competing, Danish-made eyewear product and who states that manufacture is in the Philippines with assembly etc. in Denmark.

If it is accurate though, I wouldn't say that the 'manufacturing' aspect is necessarily the important part of the process - in the case of the 9500 range, it would involve not much more than the stamping out of the sheet Titanium.
The assembly and finishing is where the quality is 'added'.

Having said that though, if we're discussing high-end eyewear, there's not much point in trying to find value - they're ridiculously and unjustifiably overpriced for what they are.

I might be missing something, but the later frames I've seen instore no longer states Made in Denmark. I've also been told that the only thing accomplished in Denmark is the design and prototyping. Finishing and assembly, is all done in their factories in Philippines.

I am not discounting them yet as I've found the newer strip titanium to be rather comfortable and their V2.0 nosepads are much better than the previous generation which is also miles ahead of mykita and other stamped flat steel sheets in terms of adjustability.

Interestingly, the shop I went carried a brand of eyewear called Freeform and their titanium plate series looked remarkably high quality, even though made in China. The price is about half of what they are asking for lindbergs and the ilk.

I've tried many frames from mid tier brands and haven't really found something I was blown away by. I really like the nosepads on swissflex (They sit well and have no pressure marks) but not their temples, which didn't grip. Prodesign was nice but still lacked something. Silhouettes titanium broke twice at the bridge while cleaning. Oliver Peoples was a little heavy for me. My favorite thus far is a little known Japanese brand called Dun eyewear, which is made of gummetal, an advance version of beta titanium, very light and grips well, however, the range is a little sporty looking for a true professional setting.

It is just curiosity that makes me want to try other frames. I like a clean, simple architectural/ industrial look offered by some German and Danish brands, as well as Starck metal range (the bio-hinge intrigues me), or for that matter independent and innovative firms not in the Lux or Safilo umbrella. It has to work for serious work meetings so anything ridiculous like Parasite is a big no no. Fit is very important to me. My problem with many frames, even when fitted with lighter lenses (polycarb, trivex) at relatively low RX (-2.75) glasses tend to slip at the nose all the time and makes me look like an old geezer with reading glasses by day's end.

Originally Posted by upnorth

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I might be missing something, but the later frames I've seen instore no longer states Made in Denmark. I've also been told that the only thing accomplished in Denmark is the design and prototyping. Finishing and assembly, is all done in their factories in Philippines.

I am not discounting them yet as I've found the newer strip titanium to be rather comfortable and their V2.0 nosepads are much better than the previous generation which is also miles ahead of mykita and other stamped flat steel sheets in terms of adjustability.

Interestingly, the shop I went carried a brand of eyewear called Freeform and their titanium plate series looked remarkably high quality, even though made in China. The price is about half of what they are asking for lindbergs and the ilk.

I've tried many frames from mid tier brands and haven't really found something I was blown away by. I really like the nosepads on swissflex (They sit well and have no pressure marks) but not their temples, which didn't grip. Prodesign was nice but still lacked something. Silhouettes titanium broke twice at the bridge while cleaning. Oliver Peoples was a little heavy for me. My favorite thus far is a little known Japanese brand called Dun eyewear, which is made of gummetal, an advance version of beta titanium, very light and grips well, however, the range is a little sporty looking for a true professional setting.

It is just curiosity that makes me want to try other frames. I like a clean, simple architectural/ industrial look offered by some German and Danish brands, as well as Starck metal range (the bio-hinge intrigues me), or for that matter independent and innovative firms not in the Lux or Safilo umbrella. It has to work for serious work meetings so anything ridiculous like Parasite is a big no no. Fit is very important to me. My problem with many frames, even when fitted with lighter lenses (polycarb, trivex) at relatively low RX (-2.75) glasses tend to slip at the nose all the time and makes me look like an old geezer with reading glasses by day's end.

My most recent pair, purchased in June 2010, are Strip 9501s from the 9500 line which was released around 12 months ago.
These have 'made in Denmark' laser etched in to the right temple, although exactly how much of the work is actually done in Denmark is still a mystery to me.

I've heard nothing but bad things about the Starck line (and aso Mikli) from opticians.
They're mostly concerned with very slow availability of ordered models and long service time.
I was told more than once, that as far as Starck/Mikli goes, you should only order what they had on the shelf as anything else would take ages to come in.
The Starck hinge also came in for some criticism, with regards to its reliability and high gimmick factor.

Other brands you might want to look at, which have some models with a toned down quasi-industrial look are:


Bugatti (Italian - very exclusive though can be found at limited stores in the UK)
http://www.bugatti-eyewear.com/uk/index.html

ByWP (German - designed by Wolfgang Proksch, metal models manufactured by IC Berlin - uncommon but can be found in the UK)
http://www.pmd-eyewear.net/start.html

Meyer (German - Titanium specialists - very hard/impossible to find in the UK)
http://www.meyer-eyewear.com/

Zero G (American - Titanium, nothing too original though - hard/impossible to find in the UK)
http://www.zerogeyewear.com/optical.htm

Derapage (Italian - interesting but too industrial for me - not common but possible to find in the UK)
http://derapage-eyewear.com/

Reykjavik Eyes (Icelandic - Minimalist Ti - very hard although possible to find in the UK)
http://www.reykjavikeyes.com/reykjavikeyes/

Undostrial (French - very hard/impossible to find in the UK)
http://www.undostrial.com/

Monoqool (Danish - very hard/impossible to find in the UK)
http://www.monoqool.com/#/helix/

OGA (French - a bit different - not common but possible to find in the UK)
http://www.morel-france.com/oga/

Freudenhaus (German - fairly clean, simple designs - not common but possible to find in the UK)
http://www.freudenhaus.com/freudenha...ucts/index.php

Yellows Plus (Japanese - nice but nothing too innovative - fairly widely available at higher-end optical stores in the UK)
http://www.yellowsplus.com/yellows_plus_main.html

Porsche Design (German - some nice designs and very decent quality from Rodenstock)
http://www.porsche-design.com/europe.../p8000eyewear/