The winner will be revealed at the Boutique Buyer VIP Event at Vision Expo East on Saturday, March 17.
The dream was to feature only the world’s finest handmade eyewear collections, and in addition, include a carefully curated selection of other products, specifically accessories, fragrances, and lifestyle items. Atelier Mira proudly opened in March 2016 in Williamsburg, a growing neighborhood of Brooklyn. Founded by Rama and Assia Valentin, Atelier Mira has strong roots in eyewear distribution, as Rama and Assia have been providing North America with Anne et Valentin and Theo Eyewear for twenty years. Now, Atelier Mira provides a new challenge, jumping into the retail side of the independent eyewear industry. Their vision is clear and strong: to provide a new and inspiring optical experience.
We welcome our clients by offering a pleasurable and memorable atmosphere. The layout of our space offers room for patrons to wander and peruse the displays, and primarily is designed for our shoppers to sit. This method, where clients are comfortable and rested, is calming and allows our opticians to do the work of finding that next pair of glasses or sunglasses. An extra seating area also allows companions to relax while others shop, enjoying the space around them. Each design feature, including the room’s diffused scent, a complimentary espresso, the fresh cut flowers, are all small details that add pleasure and comfort during one’s visit.
We carry twelve different eyewear brands in our shop, with extensive selections from each. They are independent companies, with passionate vision for unique styling and quality craftsmanship. We forgo brands with logos or mass-production, focusing on more rare, unique styles that provide inspiration for the individual wearer. Our stylists are optically trained with a keen eye for design, composition and aesthetic.
Beyond styling, we also provide repairs and refurbishment on eyewear, as well as frame modifications. We do all of our edging ourselves and offer the newest lens technologies including bespoke digital lenses. We also have an in-house optometrist to offer a full service to our clientele, which caters to both people who live and work in the neighborhood as well as eyewear enthusiasts and tourists.
Beyond being a nice place to spend time, with many design elements that are easy on the eyes, we strive to provide a full and complete service that allows for both an informative, professional optical experience with fresh, interesting style and a high aesthetic expectation. We want our clients to leave enthused, satisfied and inspired. Afterall, a great pair of glasses can make a world of difference – you never know – it could change your life
Eye Q (EST 2011) from the start has always had a stylistic approach to our clients need for glasses in a space that is truly a unique retail experience. My love for music , dance , travel , art, fashion all part of the Eye Q experience. A fun and relaxed environment that embraces our clients uniqueness. A real focus on the craftsmanship of our frames we select. All of this whilst delivering a personalized service and the best eye care in the fabulous Limegrove Lifestyle luxury center in Barbados.
As an independent Opticians we select brands that are well crafted and beautiful. We handpick each style based on our patients in mind to embrace their uniqueness and personality. Our patients are always excited at what we bring next and look forward to the selection. Not to mention our sip and shop parties that are never missed!!
Our demographic varies from fisherman , aristocrat , tourist and many more. So we have developed a reputation as eyewear connoisseurs with a well stocked emporium of niche and interesting brands to match our array of clientele . Not based on trends or celebrity endorsed brands only.
Island life is not usually associated with fabulous optical boutiques . And for sure island people not expected to have beautiful well made glasses.
We believe that all peoples from Barbados deserve respect and recognition therefore we create and offer eyewear that make them proud and reach for their goals.
I have always wanted to create a high quality eyewear brand that truly reflected the Barbadian spirit but not in a cliche sense. Eyewear that was colorful but yet artistic and understated with attention to details.
In 2016 I met French celebrity eyewear Designer EricJean , this dream became a reality and PEOPLESFROMBARBADOS sunglass brand was born. The brand is a tribute to Bajan People because they deserve it and it was launched on the 50th anniversary of Barbados Independence.
Eyewear with Bajan Soul & Caribbean Flair. The campaign features lifestyle black & white images of beautiful Bajan faces and their lifestyle. These portraits auctioned for charities around Barbados and now for our Caribbean neighbors who saw so much tragedy in 2017 from the hurricanes .
PEOPLESFROMBARBADOS / PFB features MADE IN JAPAN. A combination of the glamourous elegance and the richness of high end acetates and high end technological minimalism of pure stainless steel temples. Colorful acetate fronts with unique lamination techniques with a unique screw-less hinge. End tips matching the same details of the fronts. The attention to details truly make an exquisite and unique collection of sunglasses reflecting the most desirable Bajan Lifestyle.
PEOPLESFROMBARBADOS is Bajan Soul.
SPEX By Ryan incorporates a vision of creativity based on inclusion of everybody as individuals who all make up a diverse and vibrant community. Through our passion for fine, independent eyewear, we look to encourage and promote individuality and expressiveness, while contributing to improving our city for future generations.
Individuality
Independence is the very core of what SPEX By Ryan is all about. Providing the artisanal products and services from a family-owned small business perspective allows us to forge the most organic and genuine relationships with our clients. They truly become family and fell right at home with every visit. By dealing exclusively with small, independent vendors for frames, lenses, and accessories, we can truly proclaim full independence, and bring opticianry back to its purest form in our little shop.
Culture
Our culture was defined at the very start, as one of creativity and independence that challenges the norm and all that is typically expected from an optical store. The store features graffiti, old tube tv’s, vintage stereo with turntable, and only a small portion of the available product out for display. A massive, non-stop attack on social media, a billboard, and a short movie with local Fashion Week appearance set the tone instantly that SPEX By Ryan was here and going to change the landscape of not only eyewear, but fashion and attitude in our small, conservative city. Global recognition was not far behind, with numerous accolades, industry publication articles and interviews. Making Regina, Saskatchewan a mini eyewear Mecca has been a nice result. We also believe in the power of community and giving back. We are a yearly participant in the Huddle Up Foundation’s Coats 4 Kids initiative, as well as a constant donor to numerous charity fundraisers in the community.
Brand Loyalty
In a fast changing world, SPEX clients have quickly become educated about quality, independent eyewear and all if its merits. The fact that eyewear can actually bring happiness and joy, as opposed to stress and indifference, is something that has produced heaps of new eyewear enthusiasts via SPEX By Ryan. They now intimately know brands by name that used to be completely foreign to them. The instant recognition of our eyewear in all of the surrounding area as well as all of the enthusiastic referrals, makes our heart warm with pride.
Technology
Besides SPEX BY Ryan enjoying success through social media technology, we also incorporate freeform lens technology, using the Zeiss iTerminal 2 measuring device (purchased at Vision Expo East 3 years ago). Our on-site finishing lab features Essilor’s Mr.Orange, allowing us the ability to expertly glaze any frame to our own exacting specifications. Most recently, we became the first retailer in Canada for Specsy- a completely customized 3D frame design system utilizing 3D printing technology in Toronto. We now have the ability to have the client participate in designing their own frame from scratch- anything they want, made to fit perfectly in days. Now anyone who has had any history of difficult fits can wear anything they want!
In a world...where two worlds collide, you'll find Todd Rogers Eyewear. The flagship Optical Shop of Independent Eyewear brand Todd Rogers is helmed by veteran Optician and Eyewear designer Todd Rogers Berberian, LDO. Rarely do you find one company on two sides of the good fight - but Todd Rogers is both Independent Shop & Eyewear Brand.
Champions of this Independent Eyewear movement, Todd and his staff deliver the residents of bucolic and historic Andover, Massachusetts with a collection of glasses curated from companies around the globe. The quintessential setting - an Optical shop and Optometry practice housed in a former historic bar & grill... a feast for the eyes artistically, the decor sees old and new collide a mashup of style. Look for the building with the flickering gas lanterns outside, step through the Alice in Wonderland style doors, and prepare to be transported back to the future. Todd's kept the pieces of the historic bar, repurposed into dispensing tables and display...note the "Kingsman" style decor, a swanky nod to British Spy films, the plaid wall, a nod to Roger's Scottish roots, and the tower of antique books with cheeky names that clients keep adding to with a laugh. But of course, there's the important stuff. With unwavering attention to detail, Rogers Berberian believes in educating the consumer on why well made glasses and top of the line materials are non-negotiable...he only works with and advocates for the very best in frames and lenses. Speaking of...he and his expert staff are still one of the "old-school" shops that cut and edge lenses on-site. The Lab - made of glass walls and white subway tile - and housing state of the art equipment, allows clients to see first hand their glasses being custom made.
The back of the Optical shop houses Todd Rogers Eyewear's distribution and design offices...all coming together to be a true celebration of sight, independence, entrepreneurial spirit, vision, creativity, education, and commerce. Voted "Best Optical Shop" 9 years running by NorthShore Magazine, Todd has cultivated a following from across the New England area for custom fitting faces with the right frames, delivering spot-on glasses for difficult prescriptions, and gently addressing the specific needs of children's eyewear. Every day is a party at Todd Rogers - friends and neighbors congregate to shake hands and schmooze while they wait for their glasses. Sometimes they don't even need to come in - they just want to. This shop oozes the kind of energy you hope rubs off on you. Stick around - and it does. Todd Rogers isn't exactly an Optical Shop... Todd Rogers is a culture.