In 2021, Eyestylist has reported on a range of unique independent stores that opened between November 2020 and December 2021 – a period that has been particularly testing but also full of innovation and endeavour. Here we round up eight truly outstanding stores featured during this period, all of which pave the way for more trailblazers and stylesetters with an architectural focus or an avantgarde mission and an unerring passion for creative eyewear in the field of optical retailing.
1. MYKITA, Mexico City – The elegant tree-lined boulevard Colima (Roma Norte) interspersed with Art Deco houses has seen the opening of the new MYKITA Shop, housed in a 1950s Bauhaus-inspired building. The store is designed to offer an ‘immersive’ MYKITA experience, with three levels and an overall space of 700 square metres. Alongside their established design classics and latest eyewear collections which are all handcrafted at the MYKITA HAUS in Berlin, the shop – as is typical of the German brand’s retail concept – offers a comprehensive optical service with state-of-the-art instruments and lenses by ZEISS. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/10/mykita-in-mexico-city/
2. EOE, Stockholm – For its flagship store in the city of Stockholm, sustainable eyewear brand EOE has created a serene and minimal EOE universe, inspired by the sparse nature of the northern terrains of Swedish Lapland. The new destination store is located on Mäster Samulesgatan 10, in the middle of Biblioteksstan, a busy and well-known area of the city, known for its many retail stores, among them several already specialising in eyewear. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/01/eoe-flagship-stockholm/
3. Eyes on Hudson, Hudson Valley, NY – Katelyn Rogerson’s new store Eyes on Hudson opened in 2020, a breathtaking state-of-the-art retail space turned independent eyewear destination. With an extraordinary mix of curated collections by independent designers, the store represents a new dynamic retail concept achieved through youthful passion, a natural affinity with artisan design and over 10 years’ experience working in one of New York’s famed eyewear stores. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/03/eyes-on-hudson-hudson-valley-ny/
4. Hungry Eyes, Stuttgart, Germany – After 14 years as store manager, master optician Thomas Hommerberg has achieved his dream in the hardest of climates. His new store in Stuttgart specialises in independent eyewear brands and design labels. “The concept is to bring to Stuttgart real independent eyewear in a unique shop which is far removed from the mass market”, he told Eyestylist. “This is definitely missing here and this is the concept of my store. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/01/hungry-eyes-stuttgart/
5. The Art of Optics, Dubai (UAE) – Ahmad Albanna, owner and founder of The Art of Optics, Dubai, is an eyewear aficionado with his own collection of independent specs and sunglasses and an enthusiastic interest in art and design. “With a passion for frames, I have always been in search of unique, unusual colorful eyewear,” he told Eyestylist. “So when I opened my store I went to the optical exhibitions to select each pair of glasses myself. I knew some of the brands from being a collector. But when I started to visit the fairs I got to know some more. Some of the brands we have are here in Dubai for the very first time. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/04/the-art-of-optics-dubai-uae-box-park/
6. Sacrées Mirettes – Lille, France – Sacrées Mirettes is an eyewear boutique located in Vieux Lille, the historic area of Lille, France. Though the store is situated in beautiful surroundings, steeped in history and culture within a bustling city, the business and founders Sarah and Flo did not have the warmest welcome into the retail world. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/07/sacrees-mirettes-lille-france/
7. L’Opticienne Manon Favand, France – L’Opticienne is a stylish, boutique opticians founded by Manon Favand, located in an historic building in the commune of Uzès in the south of France. Favand first conceived the idea of having her own boutique after she had completed her training as an optician. READ MORE: https://www.eyestylist.com/2021/09/lopticienne-manon-favand-france/
