Wine and Glasses - a unique wine pairing event

To celebrate our third birthday we decided to throw a unique party, where we explored wines paired to our glasses collections.  Sommelier Shelley Joyce did a great selecting different wines to compliment the different collections that we have at Ocean, here's the journey we went on.

To start the evening, the first wine was from local vineyard Petite Riviere (http://www.petiterivierevineyards.ca/).  BonBon is a sparkling fruit wine with NY Muscat blended with apple and cranberry wine.  This is a fun, light, bubbly wine and paired perfectly with Kirk & Kirk's Kaleidoscope collection.

 

For our second wine, we headed over to Europe and enjoyed a German Riesling, paired with ic! berlin.  Moselland Ars Vitis has a crisp, clean taste, precise in its structure with almost mineral or industrial flavour notes to it.  What a great match for the stainless sheet metal that is ic! berlin.

 

Heading slightly further south, we next enjoyed our first red of the evening and the first offering from France - Montmija Le Bistro Rouge.  This blend of Merlot, Carignan and Syrah parallels beautifully with TD Tom Davies.  With TD Tom Davies we can blend different colours and shapes together to make unique made to measure eyewear.

We continued to travel south through Europe on our winery tour, this time heading to Spain.  This was actually going to be our last wine of the evening, and was our second red.  Shelley had wanted to choose something particular to pair well with the natural material eyewear that Rolf Spectacles creates, so she choose a biodynamic wine from Priorat, Maquinon.  Garnacha grapes create a beautiful wine which is aged in oak barrels and has a distinctive intense cherry colour, almost violet in fact.  Considering the time, dedication and precision that goes in to every pair of Rolf Spectacles, this wine is a wonderful pairing.

 

The evening was well rounded off with a beautiful vintage Cognac Château de Montifaud VSOP.  This fruity cognac which is naturally coloured through aging alone, comes from the Petite Champagne growing region.  Luxurious, fashionable, classical, glamorous, cognac pairs beautifully with Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses.  Just like the cognac, Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses are iconic with a heritage which is second to none, worn by celebrities from the 60's onward OG is the stylish choice of the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Princess Grace de Monaco, Michael Caine, Peter Sellers to name but a few.

What a great fun evening and a fabulous way to celebrate this milestone in Ocean's journey.  We are very grateful to Shelley for taking us on this journey and for picking a wonderful collection of wines to enjoy alongside our unique eyewear collections.  If you'd like to get in touch with Shelley she can be reached on Twitter @wileywordsmyth.

Some more pictures from the evening:

Shelley Joyce - our fabulous Sommelier 

Tints, mirrors, polarization and other sunwear technology

We've all become much more aware of the need to protect ourselves from the damage that the sun's UV rays can cause.  Powerful campaigns like Slip-Slap-Slop has helped to educate us to the need to make sure we take the necessary precautions.  The importance of the advice from these campaigns can not be ignored and another factor which they help raise is the need to protect our eyes as well.  When it comes to choosing sunglasses, though, the choices can seem a little bewildering.

Nikon's SunStyle lens selections

Standard tinted lenses work by absorbing a portion of the visible light going through a lens, the light allowed to pass through is what gives the colour of the tint we see.  When choosing a tint colour, there is not really a "correct" choice, it all comes down to personal preference and taking in to account when you will be wearing the glasses.

A few things to consider are that a very dark tint will be better for brighter conditions.  Coloured tints like brown, green and blue will alter the apparent colour of objects that you see, grey should not.  The darkness of the tint does not indicate the level of UV protection.

ic! berlin Boombox Noize

Slightly different from absorption tints, are mirror tints.  These tints reflect the light, rather than absorb it, and work by having a thin layer of a metal on the front surface of the lens, often combined with a standard absorption tint within the lens.  Again it is important to check for the UV protection as the reflective surface alone does not guarantee UV protection.

There are many options when it comes to mirror coatings and they can produce dramatically varying effects, dependent on the metals used and the thickness of the coatings. Sports eyewear often includes a subtle flash coating of just a minimal amount of reflectance, fashion ranges include fantastic colours to completement the frames.  Perhaps the current masters of this are ic berlin!

Another common consideration when it comes to sunglass lenses is decide if you would benefit from polarized lenses.  Polarized lenses work like standard sunglass tints, however, have a special filter in them to also remove light which is poloarized.  Sources of polarized light tend to be surfaces which reflect light, like water, snow.

Many outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the benefit of polarized lenses to help reduce distracting glare and have enhanced vision for their hobbies, however, polarized lenses are not always the best option.  Polarized lenses can create issues when trying to read the surface, for example in downhill skiing or golf.  They can also block out light from LED and LCD screens, making smartphones, tablets and even dashboard dials difficult to read.

One newer development with polarized lenses is a trend for lenses which also provide true or even enhanced colour perception.  Examples of this include the Nikon Radiance lens and the Smith Optics Chromapop lens:  

Smith Optics Chromapop

The choice between the different options can seem bewildering and it may not be easy to work out what is the best option for you.  Our best advice is to come in to Ocean and spends some time chatting with us about what you want and how you're going to use your glasses and we'll help guide you through the choices.  Then get outdoors and enjoy the summer!

New York / Vision East Expo Day 4

With our heads full of exciting ideas from yesterday's day long workshop and evening festivities, we got up early to prepare for our full first day at the Javits Center.  We already had a series of appointments set up for the day, with them carefully spaced out to ensure that we had time for browsing and finding new collections and interesting items which we may want to bring back to Ocean.

Cold, clear bright morning

To get us set up for the day we grab a coffee and muffin in the Yotel - seriously if you want a cool place to stay while in NYC, definitely check it out!  The big advantage for us is that it is only ten minutes walk from the Yotel to Javits Center.  Perhaps this is a draw back, though, as just as happened in Paris in the Fall we arrive too early and the exhibition isn't even open yet!  I guess we're just too keen!

Drift Eyewear

We had a nice way to ease ourself into our day with our first appointment - Drift Eyewear.  This has been a fabulous collection for us, handmade in Chicago by some really cool people.  Like, seriously cool, I wish I was them, people.

Their new collection adds to the range of classic shapes and adds in a new colour for 2014.  It may not sound a lot, but with the frames made from bio-acetate fronts and reclaimed wood temples, they really don't need to do a lot to them.  

After catching up with the good folk from Drift, it was time to further delve into the Galleria area - this is definitely one of the highlights of the trip, to spend time immersed with a myriad of designers and manufacturers from around the world.  In this one area there are the more exclusive brands like Oliver Peoples and Alain Mikli, small independent luxury brands like L.G.R. and Eye Respect and cutting edge eyewear fashionistas like ic! berlin and Mykita.

Colourful and stylish as only the Italians can

It would be tempting to choose something from everyone in this area, however, when we are considering collections we have to make sure that they are a good fit for us.  One of the things we've been looking for is to find the perfect children's range.  So many of the children's frames currently seem to be miniature versions of adult frames, rather than having been designed with children in mind.

We were excited to have found Chick Eyewear when we were in Paris and it was time to view their new range just launched a few weeks before.  WOW! They were absolutely perfect, colourful in a European way, great shapes and fabulous material and construction.  It's so nice when something falls in to place so well and these children's frames absolutely were a perfect fit.

Our next appointment was with Jason Kirk to view the Savile Row frames.  These classic frames have been handmade in London, England, since 1932.  Synonymous with Harry Potter, John Lennon, Elton John and many more celebrities, the timeless elegance and quality of the 14K gold frames is unparalleled.  We have had enquiries about these frames since the day we opened, so now was the time to make the commitment to having a selection available all the time.

Catching up with Jason is also always fun.  He has a wealth of experience in eyewear design and has been the inspiration behind leading brands for years.  He has been involved with Savile Row for almost a year, however, what is very exciting is the upcoming launch of Kirk & Kirk, his new company.  We can't wait to see these in Paris.

ic! berlin - providing gluten free glasses for the masses

Our day was almost over, but there was still more appointment, with ic! berlin.  With a DJ knocking our some great tunes and Ralph Anderl, the owner, looking splendid in red ski pants and yeti boots, you know that any visit to ic! berlin is going to be exciting!

It never disappoints.  Our patients love ic! berlin and we now have people coming from out of province to us just to choose them.  Eric is great at going through the vast collection with us, helping select the best shapes and colours to bring back to Halifax to further enhance the selection which we provide.

The day was ended with a short stroll back to the Yotel, a beautiful meal in their new restaurant where we enjoyed a tapas like approach, but with an East meets West fusion and then on to the Loft.  You'll find out all about the Loft in the next blog, but this was more like the night before the day after.  Each year the Loft holds a party, strictly by invitation and we were the lucky holders of some invitations!  The night wound down with a little light rain not spoiling the perfect New York rooftop view!

The perfect NYC rooftop skyline view - thanks to the Loft

Seeing Red?

Last week we took a peek at some fabulous blue eyeglasses that may have made you rethink what colours will work for you.

This week it's reds turn...

ic! berlin - Nameless

A true vibrant, bold red - ic!berlin 'Nameless' combines a powerful colour and shape. Not for the faint of heart this frame is a real head-turner.  Very often when choosing glasses people may shy away from the bolder and more vibrant colours, thinking "I can't wear that".  It is not until you try the frame on, though, that you get a real sense of how the colour works for you.  The bold and dramatic Nameless completely works if you are brave enough to try it on:

Another way that the brightness of the frame can be altered is with the finish of the material, take Dasha for example:

SALT. - Dasha

Precise finishing, a soft matte tone and a combination of red and black makes this SALT. frame  perfectly wearable as either an ophthalmic frame or sunglasses.  The warmer colours incorporated in this frame natural complement many skin tones and creates a bold, yet professional, look.

Rock Optika - Blue Note

Solid style, solid construction Rock Optika knocks it out of the park with 'Blue Note' in Red Zeppelin. How to make a statement without saying a word. 

The strong angles complement the fiery colour of the Rock Optika model.  Release your inner rockstar when you choose this model!

Claire Goldsmith - Wing

Not ready for a full on set of red? This pair by Claire Goldsmith combines subtle architectural details with just a whisper of red throughout the inside of the frame.

Classic, elegant lines, married together with the finest quality Italian acetates and timeless craftsmanship.  A timeless model like Wing manages to be modern, while capturing a vintage spirit of bygone Hollywood glamour.

ic! berlin Boombox!

BOOM!

There you have it, explosive styling, intricate details and an attitude as fierce as the wearer.  Here red takes centre stage in the lenses, proving its versatility and vibrancy.  Big and bold this frame is completely wearable ... if you dare!

Got the blues?

One thing I notice a lot of in the dispensary is when patients are trying on frames they always seem to shy away from certain colours. Blue, red, yellow and green are a few of the bright, beautiful colours that wait patiently on the shelf until a brave soul takes the plunge and realizes - Wow - I CAN wear blue/red/green/rainbow! 

Amazing.

One problem with fashion, I feel, is that people often get stuck in certain rules. They feel that their skin tone, hair colour, eye colour, etc predetermines what palette of colours they are destined to wear and this often extends to eye wear. Yes - those "rules" do tend to work and there are some colours that lend themselves beautifully to many skin tones BUT (and this is a big but) there are always exceptions and style rules are made to be broken.

The beauty of eyeglass frames is not only shape and colour - but material, texture, tone and polish. Such details can make a huge difference in how a certain frame looks and works with an individual's style and complete look. Case in point? Blue...

RockOptika - Herrington  'The Blues'

This is a BLUE frame that means business! Bold, bright and sassy it certainly makes a statement. I love how the strong style balances perfectly with the shiny polish of the indigo coloured acetate.

You don't just wear this frame you own it.

ic! berlin - 'Marie' in electric light blue

True class and style meet in this gorgeous electric light blue frame. Hand-crafted, extremely lightweight surgical stainless steel transforms to become discretely luminous by the addition of tiny crystals deposited onto the frame. This beauty really shines.

Drift - 'Atticus'

Texture can play a huge role in eyewear design and it's often over looked. The beautiful soft, matte finish on the acetate front of this frame plays well with the elegant hand-crafted wooden temples. When you try this on you may even forget that the frame front is indigo - your attention simply focuses on the soft textures and superb balance.

SALT. - Taryn in Jade Pearl Gradient

It's all about tone with this frame. Bold and exciting it's bright ocean blue acetate is softened ever so slightly by the crystal gradient. This frame is an ice-breaker, a conversation piece - a statement.  It combines beautifully the elements of the ocean, powerful and yet serene.

TD Tom Davies - showcasing a selection of acetate colour choices

Your frame should be as unique as you are. Sometimes what we have on display may not be quite what you're looking for. You may think - I love that frame but I wish it was a matte finish or I like the shape but I need it to be larger...well no matter what you want to change our TD Tom Davies bespoke collection will have an answer.

Like a tailored suit, these frames are individually hand-crafted to perfectly complement you. Simply choose the frame style you like and we work with you to customize the rest. By changing size, colour and/or finish we can design a frame that fits you - impeccably.

Silmo 2013 - Part 2

We were now getting in to the swing of things and gearing up for a busy show.  Taking our time over the first day to explore the halls, find the locations for our appointments already scheduled and start to find out any new and exciting suppliers was time well spent.  We had business to do, however, and now was the time to do it!

Moving on from Rolf, we headed to the ic! berlin stand.  As an innovative and imaginative company, visiting ic! berlin is always an exciting experience.  When we had spent time with them in New York there had been a live DJ provided a great soundtrack to the experience.  Paris is closer to their home in Berlin, so what was going to await us here?

We were not disappointed!

ic! berlin Stand at Silmo

At the back of the stand was a massive food truck in a very retro camper, shiny, bright and turning out quite amazing food!  The things they were doing with goats cheese was quite incredible.  Over at the other corner sat a car completely shrouded in black cloth - why?  Well you have to park it somewhere!  It was Ralph's own car (the owner and founder of ic! berlin) and he had driven it down to Paris for the show.

While the energy on the stand is excellent, the great thing with ic! berlin is that you know it is backed up by a great selection of eyewear.  Their ranges are unique, well designed, fabulously manufactured and manage to straddle the fine line between cutting edge and perfectly wearable exceptionally well.  The new electric colours available in the ranges were beautiful and selecting pieces to add to our collection in Halifax was easy, these frames won't hang around long!

What about the music?  There was no DJ this time, instead we were entertained by Friederich Liechenstein.  He's a German entertainer (apparently) and a bit of a YouTube celebrity, great fun to listen to and certainly knows how to entertain a crowd!  He's easy to find on YouTube:

After enjoying some wonderful German hospitality, we moved on to our next appointment.  This was one of our Silmo finds from the previous day and right now we are going to tease you a little and keep this one a secret.  We are hoping to have this range with us in early 2014, we have put together a fabulous selection and you know that they are going to bring something new to Nova Scotia if we have selected them, so please don't get all activist like on us and be patient!

Day two was almost complete, however, we had one last appointment to go to - TD Tom Davies.  When we had met with Nathan from TD at New York, twice we ended up leaving the show after the show had closed!  This time we had allowed plenty of time!  It was great to meet up with Nathan and Tom again and to also meet some of the other representatives who cover different parts of the world.  Meetings like this provide a great opportunity to share ideas with some very creative people.

When it comes to frame design and manufacture, there is no denying that Tom Davies has added something completely new and unique to the market.  Being able to say that we are the only company east of Toronto being able to offer this bespoke service really helps to set Ocean apart.  Choosing eyewear should be like choosing a tailored garment, we are all unique after all.  The meetings, though, are a great opportunity for a two-way dialogue and we were able to share a little of our knowledge and enthusiasm for lens technology with Tom as he is working through the process of developing a completely new line of sports eyewear.

A couple of hours later we were all done, new frames ordered, new sample colours organised, the show was closing and it was time to head back to the hotel.  It was a good day, a productive day, but a long day.

Tonight's dinner was in a Japanese restaurant!

Vision East Expo - Sunglasses! Sunglasses!

While it was almost all work at Vision Expo in New York, there were some moments to enjoy trying on some of the cool new eyewear (for research purposes, of course!).

Here are a some pictures:

Mike modeling an ic! berlin.

Euan sporting the special edition ic! berlin "Splash"!

Euan, John & Mike all featuring the ic! berlin special edition "Psycho" collection - only sold as a set of 3!

John, Mike & Euan - a little more relaxed on the last day.  Safe in the knowledge that we now had some awesome collections to open with!