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“So imagine my shock to learn that people actually buy frames with nonprescription lenses and wear them just to look cool.  These glasses have nothing to do with improving eyesight. The only thing they magnify is the owner’s ego, as a fashion prop.  Some college-age kids pocket the 3-D glasses handed out at the movie theaters, pop out the lenses and wear the chunky, black frames to parties — a style apparently hot in Japan.

Sources (my kids) say that this trend used to be considered hipster, but from the little I understand about hipsters, they have already abandoned this practice if they think everyone else is doing it.  This reminds me of my favorite Dr. Seuss story about the Sneetches, who all want stars on their bellies, until they don’t.

“Especially the teenagers,” said Dr. Suzanne Battaglia, a Mundelein optometrist.  “They used to wear contacts all the time.  Now they are definitely wearing the glasses because of the style.”

AWal-MartVision Center technician said she’s had girls as young as 8 drag their parents into the store to look at eyeglass frames.

Could it be that today’s kids want to look “smart,” and therefore might take the next step and study harder?  Probably not.   A quick Google search confirms that this trend has more to do with sexy celebrities than true aspirations toward nerd-dom.

You can easily find images of Johnny Depp, Justin Timberlake, Anderson Cooper and Justin Bieber wearing nerdy glasses.  Lindsay Lohan, Katy Perry, Megan Fox and even Snooki are also into oversized eyewear.

Elton John and Elvis Costello were known for wearing distinctive frames in the 1970s, and before that, who could forget Buddy Holly’s pre-hipster frames?  But their glasses fit with an artistic persona.  Today, it seems the goal is to look authoritative, yet attractive, in a sexy librarian sort of way.  Others appear to role-play the nerd in a condescending — don’t you wish you were me — manner.

Frankly, it seems silly to wear spectacles with no lenses at all, but at least it’s an honest admission of the superficiality involved.

Michael Kaciuba, manager of See Eyewear in Water Tower Place, has dealt with eyeglasses as a fashion accessory for a long time.  The store caters to people looking for eclectic, brightly colored frames.

“We see a lot of young professionals who want to look older,” he said.

“Larger frames, tinted lenses, retro and aviator styles are in,” he said.

Some people are upset with this trend, finding it a rather lame attempt to get attention.

One blogger wrote: “It’s insulting and trivializes the disability. You wouldn’t walk around with a cane because you think it looks cool, right? Wearing nonprescrip glasses is flaunting your ability.”

You can read the entire article here- http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-02-07/news/ct-talk-lisa-black-eyeglasses-0207-20120207_1_frames-glasses-lenses

]]> 2153 http://friezeframes.com/uncategorized/freizeframes-in-a-lebron-commercial-after-the-miami-heat-won/ Mon, 29 Jul 2013 02:26:53 +0000 http://www.friezeframes.com/?p=2147

Look for our frames to the right of the message machine!

The prototypes we create for upcoming collections are seen, felt and worn by current and new buyers, it feels a lot like an eyewear fashion show.  Our buyers let us know out what is working and what colors are attracting their eyes.  We use this valuable time to better understand what it is their customers are looking for.

We know how to make a handcrafted, high quality frame, and we continue to seek the most efficient ways possible to do so.  Never settling and keeping an attitude that everything can be done better will ensure success collection after collection.  We take our customer service serious and we would like to say thank everyone for wearing friezeframes!

Meet Aaron J. Christy, 35 years old, Production Manager at anvifrieze & friezeframes.

Me– “Hi Aaron, you look nice today!”

Aaron- “Thanks man, been trying something new with my hair.”

Me– “Right on.”

Me– The factory is neat and everyone seems to really enjoy their job, definitely has a great energy.  What are your challenges as Production Manager and creating handcrafted eyewear?”

Aaron- “Everyday is different and can bring with it a handful of new challenges, but the challenges are what motivate me.  A daily goal and challenge is creating a prototype that meets our desired design.  We will always be looking for ways to improve how our eyewear is crafted.”

Me– “With your job comes stress and deadlines, what do you do in your free time away from work?”

Aaron- “I spend a lot of my time painting and drawing.”

Me– “Well, that sets up my next question perfectly.”

Aaron- “Great!”

Me– “You have designed some eyewear and continue to do so, are you a natural artist and has it been a process to learn design?”

Aaron- “I don’t know if I would call myself a natural artist, but I have always appreciated art of all kinds and have spent many years drawing, painting and creating.  Design is difficult because I need to create a style that people will want to wear, with my art I am trying to create something that makes me happy.  The gap is minimal still, and in both scenarios an awesome design is the goal.”

Me– “I am pretty impressed with the design process here at anvi and frieze, do you design for both companies?”

Aaron- “I have been a part of the design team for both anvi and frieze for the last 3 collections.  It’s fun to see what works and what doesn’t!”

Me– “You recently designed a new prototype called the “Ventura”, I know that one is a favorite but do you have any other styles close to your heart!?”

Aaron- “Overall the “Frisco” from frieze and the “Roadster” by anvi.  The “Lincoln” and  “Ventura” are my personal designs and a couple of my favorites for sure!”

Me– “Is there anyone you would like to say hi to?”

Aaron- “My wife Gabi!”

Me– “Cute”

Aaron- “Stop”

Me– “What’s been the most enjoyable part of working for the two eyewear companies?”

Aaron- “Being a part of the design and production, making sure from drawing to final assembly we are crafting something we can be proud of!  Our work environment is great and we have a great team, you feel like you are a part of the company and not just another nameless worker.”

Me– “What are you most excited for when thinking about the future of anvifreize and friezeframes?”

Aaron- “I would have to say watching as anvi and frieze grow and the ability to be a part of that!”