Nga Waiata in OG 'Lord' and CG 'Findley'

Nga Waiata's new Oliver Goldsmith 'Lord' 

For opticals, Nga Waiata wears the Claire Goldsmith 'Findley'

All the way from Napier, here's the lovely Nga Waiata in her new Goldsmiths. For sunglasses she wears the Oliver Goldsmith 'Lord' in Bottle Green, and for optical glasses she wears the very elegant 'Findley' in Fire by Claire Goldsmith Legacy. 

Nga Waiata is a jewellery designer and yes, she designed the necklace and blue ring you see in the photos! If you'd like to see more of her jewellery, you can follow her blog at www.ngawaiata.blogspot.com.

Meet the designer: Marie Wilkinson

Cutler & Gross have been designing timeless, one-of-a-kind eyewear since 1969 when they opened their optical boutique in Knightsbridge, London. Quirky charm, classic elegance and superb craftsmanship are the trademarks of Cutler & Gross, which has endured for over four decades and only gains momentum with every passing year.

The Cutler & Gross new season collection is inspired by a love story set in 1960s Hong Kong. One of the visionaries behind this exquisite collection is Design Director Marie Wilkinson. We asked her a few questions to find out who's behind the beautiful eyewear.

What (or who) inspires you? 

I am inspired by the people always.

What three words sum up your design ethos? 

The glasses must be relevant, flattering and have a certain wit.

Best piece of fashion advice? 

Get to know yourself and select styles that suit you.

Favourite frame from your range and why? 

0822 because it is my ideal man’s frame, with elegant clean sweeping brow line; the aviator lens is a ‘nod‘ to the pilot shaped glasses Steve McQueen wore, the keyhole bridge is both a historical optical design and one that elongates the nose and is super comfortable and the lean, parallel temples are supremely elegant.

What is your pet peeve? 

Motorists being disrespectful to cyclists! (I am recent convert to London’s bicycle hire scheme)

What would be your perfect day off? 

Beach combing with my partner  and son on west coast of Harris, in the outer Hebrides.

November L.G.R. Winner: Jane Mow

Jane Mow in L.G.R. 'Victoria'

Jane Mow was the lucky winner of our November L.G.R. sunglasses giveaway. We asked our Facebook fans which of our frames they wear and why they love them. 

Jane answered:

"I wear "Clark" by SALT. I love them! I've been searching for a replacement pair for years. Michael helped me choose these & haven't regretted it since! I've had sooo many comments on how stunning they look! Plus they fit perfectly on my face. Definitely a winner!!"

For her prize, Jane chose the elegant 'Victoria' by L.G.R. This up-and-coming fashion designer certainly has taste.  She graduated earlier this year and is heading over to Sydney in January, so she will definitely be needing these!

All the best for your fashion career Jane, and congratulations - you look stunning!

Wayne Gillies in Yellows Plus 631

Before

After

Wayne Gillies knows a lot about branding. He's the director and owner of Brand Assist, specialising in design and art direction. But Wayne wanted to do a bit of personal rebranding, so he came to see us for some new specs. 

Needless to say, he made a brilliant choice. The Yellows Plus 631 in Black/Silver is a titanium frame with classic styling and lots of personality. 

Looking good, Wayne!

Shipped from London or fallen from Heaven?

Our latest arrivals from Cutler & Gross are absolutely divine. Think Piccadilly Circus in the '60s. Graceful cat's eyes for the ladies, and classic frames with flair for refined gentlemen.

But we adore the new season sunglasses the most!

Whether round, cat's eye or rectangular, they all have elegant side flicks and oodles of vintage charm. We've been swooning over them ever since they arrived, and we know we'll be swooning over them for a long time to come.

All the new C&Gs in one big glorious pile.

The superb 0886 in Black and Humble Potato. Teed St has it in Tortoiseshell too.

The marvellous 0734 in  Dark Tortoiseshell

0734 in Grey Horn

Classic elegance - the 0935 in Dark Tortoiseshell . Also comes in no-nonsense Black.

Gabriella Liebemann

Gabriella Liebemann wearing Yellows Plus "Fay"

With an eye for detail, graphic designer Gabriella Liebemann, was pleased to discover our favourite Japanese range Yellows Plus, one of our most beautifully made ranges featuring hand-polished Japanese zyl acetate.  Gabriella is wearing model "Fay". The soft contours of this clever design work perfectly for Gabriella's petite features creating a bold, sophisticated look without compromising femininity.

All the way from foggy London town

Our new Oliver Goldsmiths have arrived - just in time for the sun. Hooray! 

Opening the treasure chest

Goldsmith galore! 

You can never have enough OGs. Or Claire Goldsmith optical frames (right)

Y-Not (1966), Lord (1961), Renzo (1967), Sophia (1967), Vice Consul (1959) and Fuz (1966)

For 1960s glamour, you can't go past the Riply, Audrey, Camp, Manhattan and Uuksuu. And it doesn't get much more mod than a classic white Koko, one of Audrey Hepburn's favourites (top left corner).

Sharp angles make the newly released  'Orbison' a unique favourite for lovers of retro style.

Can't decide between round and square frames?
Our pick of the season, the 'Uuksuu' (1964) offers the best of both!

Meet the designer: Martin Lehmann

Martin Lehmann, along with school friend Martin Stempell , founded the aptly named Martin & Martin label in 1997. Both Martins came from diverse working backgrounds to form an eyewear business in their homeland of Germany. Before long their designs were featured on the runways in Paris.

Over the years Martin & Martin established itself as a creative and innovative frame design house, making quality eyewear based around a whole lifestyle concept. Ranges are constructed from the highest grade acetate, featuring interesting pathways that play with the juxtaposition of dark and light colours.

With their attention to quality, classic styling and clean modern lines, the two Martins have built a superior eyewear company only found in carefully selected opticians around the globe.

Martin Lehmann

What (or who) inspires you?

For some time I have been inspired by the incredible versatility of cellulose, it is one of the basic elements life is constructed of. That is why I choose acetate as raw material for our frames, because it’s basically made from cellulose.

What three words sum up your design ethos?

Minimalistic, natural, elegance.

Best piece of fashion advice?

For men it would have to be ‘Hagen’. For ladies ‘Hanna’.

Favourite frame from your range and why?

Currently the Paul X. It seems to look cool on all faces aged 20 to 80, men and women....

What is your pet peeve?

Watching TV soaps sober...

What would be your perfect day off?

Going for an extremely long hike on a sunny day.

Sunglasses of the Week

Terry Bowyer found us at High St, not long after we opened.  His passion for collecting vinyl records may soon be overtaken by his Goldsmith eyewear collection!  Terry wears Oliver Goldsmith's "Vice Consul" as opticals and has chosen Michael Caine's "Renzo" for a touch of class this summer.  Partner Kerry Oswald wasn't going to miss out and recently updated her prescription sunglasses selecting Oliver Goldsmith's "Audrey" (raspberry coulis) for a little Hepburn glamour.  Thanks for being such awesome clients, let's hope for some sunshine soon so you can get rocking those Goldsmiths!

Kerry Oswald in Audrey and Terry Bowyer in Renzo both by Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses 

Meet the designer: Richard Mewha

New York-based Bevel fills the spectacle world’s niche for colourful eyewear that maintains clean lines and minimalist styling. The company’s co-founder Richard Mewha is committed to making eyewear “as essential to personal style and self-esteem as apparel or cosmetics.” 

The eternal traveller, Richard ensures success in his designs by keeping up with the global cultural zeitgeist. With names like 'Fist Pump' and 'My Space', unconventional shapes and never-before seen colour pathways, the Bevel range is avant-garde eyewear with a unifying sense of classic charm.

Richard Mewha

What (or who) inspires you?

I am inspired by my whole environment every day. In terms of design, my main inspiration is my own aesthetic. I love color, clean lines, modern and antique furniture. Art - Ai Wei Wei. Music - Radiohead, Dead Can Dance and The National. Books - historical fiction, lately.

What three words sum up your design ethos?
Color, minimal, quality.

Best piece of fashion advice?

Listen to someone with taste.

Favourite frame from your range and why?
8623 Shark Biscuit. It is funky but not overpowering, cool without trying too hard.

What is your pet peeve?

People who think they don't need to learn/explore/travel/push themselves.

What would be your perfect day off?
An early round of golf/ scuba dive. Day with my wife and 3 daughters. Dinner with my wife next to the ocean.

Photographer Frames It

Por Boontoun is an outstanding photography student and came to our High St store on a mission to find glasses that would set the right tone on a shoot.  She chose the Beth by Japanese "Yellows Plus".  Like Por herself, the Beth is a fun-filled frame with it's feet firmly on the ground.......watch this space people we have a feeling "Por" and "Beth" are heading for great things!

Por Boontoun in Yellows Plus "Beth"

Dita's "Anna" In Oliver Goldsmith's "Koko"

You know a range of sunglasses definitely has a spark when the sales manager from another eyewear company just has to have a pair.  Dita's Oceania Sales Manager Anna Kirby has her picking of the entire range of gorgeous Dita sunglasses to get her through the day....but on her last visit to us she just couldn't go past the Koko by Oliver Goldsmith.  Anna was off for a holiday in Fiji after her trip to New Zealand and bought the Koko for some extra special poolside glamour.

Anna Kirby in Oliver Goldsmith "Koko"

Jax Hamilton's Got Taste

Jax Hamilton’s wonderfully ebullient personality set the tone for her new specs. The trick was finding a frame as hip as Jax... and we think we found just that in the Riley by Claire Goldsmith.

You may remember Jax from MasterChef NZ which screened earlier this year. In the final episode she came so incredibly close to winning, and if it wasn't for those pesky macaroons that wouldn't stay put, we are sure she would have. Nevertheless, Jax has now moved on...in a big way. She is elbow-deep in all sorts of cooking enterprises, including releasing her own cookbook, and she is in hot demand on the public speaking circuit (her appearance at the Foodshow went down a treat!)

Jax Hamilton in Riley by Claire Goldsmith

Jax is also working hard on the "Bake A Difference" fundraising campaign for the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind. We are getting right behind her cause with a cake stall outside our Teed Street store at the end of October. We'll have more information for you about this next week.

Here is Jax with our in-house "foodie" Richard Walker, who was blown away by Jax' brilliance in the kitchen this year and is her biggest fan!

High St's Richard Walker with Jax Hamilton 

Go Jax! We at Premium Eyewear admire your talent, energy and enthusiasm... what fun it was helping you choose some new gigs!

Sarah Mason in SALT 'Tate'

Sarah Mason is a buyer for the Area 51 fashion chain, so naturally she has a great sense of style. When she came into our High Street store, it didn't take her long to find a flattering pair of specs - the 'Tate' in Buffalo Tortoise by Salt Optics.

The Tate is an elegant classic with a modern twist. The front is zyl acetate and the sides are made from titanium, making it lightweight and very comfortable to wear.

Jane McDougal in Claire Goldsmith 'Lowe'

Jane McDougal is a receptionist at Bettjemans in Orakei - a busy, multi-award winning hair salon that has styled for Trelise Cooper's fashion shows in the past. Jane was after a new pair of glasses and made a great choice with this timeless frame by Claire Goldsmith Legacy. The colour is Fire, a streaky tortoiseshell unique to the CG collection.

Meet the designer: David Rose

SALT. OPTICS never cease to amaze us. From design and craftsmanship to service and staff, this independent company does an exceptionally good job of everything.

Based in California, SALT are a bunch of passionate people who believe in "simple things made well".  Perhaps that's why their beautiful eyewear never seems to date. The designers at SALT draw inspiration from mid-century style, and revamp it using the latest technology to create eyewear that is always fresh, unique and timeless. 

Take a look at the video below  -SALT's 2011 collection - and you'll see what we mean!

We caught up with David Rose, one of the visionaries behind the SALT brand, to find out what makes him tick and what's behind such enduring design.

David Rose

What (or who) inspires you?

Floating freely between the office, ocean, wilderness and mountains.  People all around serve as valuable reference as well.  Also, sometimes it’s the most insignificant details that catch me the most.   Like contrase lining on a messenger tote or pocket detail on great coat or the quality and craftsmanship of a pair of hand sewn boots.  

What three words sum up your design ethos?

Modesty, integrity, determination.  

Best piece of fashion advice?

I always try to keep a little bit of the old but stay in the present. It’s really just about what feels good to you.  It’s always great to find little unique accent pieces too.  Like a cool pair of patterned socks or belt with an interesting buckle.  Something that lets you complement and embrace your independent lifestyle. 

Favourite frame from your range and why?

Yates.  Classic timeless styling with clean vintage accents to the endpeice.  Looks great in Matte True Navy and friendly Brownstone. 

What is your pet peeve?

Right now it’s the Japanese Yen. 

What would be your perfect day off?

Morning run at the bluffs, work my way over to the beach with family and friends, quick surf, head to the Sierra’s and traverse through the mountains in search of my favorite fishing hole. 

Matt Soop in Yellows Plus 0616

Hailing from the land of Lindberg and Kilsgaard, great style comes naturally to Matt Soop. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, the Yellows Plus 0616 is a perfect choice for this Danish surgeon... And it's sure to get those heart monitors beeping rapidly!

Meet the designer: Claire Goldsmith

Back when we used buy from 'big brand' eyewear manufacturers, we knew little about who we were dealing with, let alone their design philosophy. Now that we handpick our ranges from our favourite designers around the globe, we are privileged to get to know them, their passion for eyewear, and what makes them tick.

Over the next few weeks we'll be posting a series of short interviews with our designers, so you can get to know them too. This week it's the lovely Claire Goldsmith.

Claire Goldsmith

The Goldsmith name is huge in eyewear. Claire’s great-grandfather Oliver Goldsmith invented the sunglass as we know it, by creating the first ready-to-wear shades. Throughout the '60s and '70s, Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses were made famous by the likes of John Lennon, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Michael Caine. 

For the past decade, Claire has been busy breathing life back into the iconic OG shades. And since 2009, Claire's design talent has been showcased in her very own optical range, fittingly titled 'Legacy'. 

Innovative, but with an elegant nod to the past, this beautiful eyewear really makes a statement. Claire's unique frames can only be found in the world's finest optical boutiques - and now adorning the faces of many stylish Premium Eyewear clients.

'Campbell' from Claire Goldsmith's Legacy collection

'Riley' from Claire Goldsmith's Legacy collection

We asked Claire a few questions about her philosophy, and here's what she said:

What (or who) inspires you?

To leave behind a legacy and to have made a contribution to the world in some way!

What three words sum up your design ethos?

Clean. Timeless. Thought-provoking.

Best piece of fashion advice?

Don't be a slave to fashion. Rock your own style.

Favourite frame from your range and why?

Within the CG collection it’s a bit like having children, I don't have favourites. I like CG collection as a whole. Different frames for different people really.

Oliver Goldsmith is different. I didn't design it so I can be more objective about it. I have lots of OG favs. Y-Not, Audrey, Uuksu, Lord.....

What is your pet peeve?

In eyewear? Licences! Cheap badly made glasses sporting expensive brands. It's disrespectful to the brand, and even more so to the end customer charging them all that money for very little quality.

What would be your perfect day off?

A 24 hour spa massage!!!

Whether it's vintage sunglasses or edgy optical frames, Claire's passion and commitment to quality and innovation is obvious. Rumour has it Claire's got some exciting new optical frames to be released soon. We can't wait to see what she'll bring out next!

Matt Andrée Wiltens in CG Legacy 'Riley'

Here's Matt Andrée Wiltens looking like a million dollars in his new Claire Goldsmiths. Matt works for Paramount Pictures. He does PR, but he might be mistaken for a movie star when he walks down the street in these.

Nice choice, Matt!

A case of Yellows Fever!

Yellows Plus is really starting to catch on with our clients. Is it any surprise? With frames as beautiful as these, it was only a matter of time.

'Woody' in Black

609 in Smoke

 630 in Black

'Beth' in Aubergine Turtle

For craftsmanship and classic style with a kick, you can't go past this exquisite range. 

Designer of Yellows Plus, Toshiaki Yamagishi, really knows his stuff - as well as being one of the nicest people in the business. The range features high-grade titanium and Japanese Zyl in a variety of interesting colours. All frames are handmade, hand-polished, and very unique. What's more, you won't find them anywhere else in New Zealand.

Our latest shipment (some pictured above) is already racing out the door, so we're getting more in shortly. Watch this space.

Harbans Williams in SALT 'Flannery'

Here's the fabulous Harbans Williams wearing SALT 'Flannery' in Oiled Bark. This frame is classic and elegant, just like Harbans herself. Now that's what we call a perfect fit.

Spring is just around the corner...

...and the Oliver Goldsmiths are already flying out the door!

Here's the gorgeous Nathalia Gerber in her new OGs. Originally from Brazil, Nathalia works at Prosper in High Street. She's a big Audrey Hepburn fan and has great taste, so it's only fitting that she's chosen the 'Manhattan' - that's the re-release of the original design Audrey wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1961. 

Nothing says 1960s spring glamour like a coat-sunglasses combination.

And here's the lovely Lily Nophasari in her Oliver Goldsmiths. Lily bought the 'Fuz' in December 2010, and loved them so much she came back to get a 'Tak'. Now she's got her eye on another pair, for the next time she's in NZ.

Lily in Oliver Goldsmith 'Tak'

Lily is a swimwear designer based in Bali, so she always needs a good pair of sunnies. Her website says: “The Aphrodite line is all about tropical flair, where casual elegance merges with island style to create a unique and individual look.”  The Aphrodite range is stocked in Scotties Boutique in Ponsonby.

Lily in Oliver Goldsmith 'Fuz'

Catherine Robertson in Bevel 'Shuffle Up'

Consultant Catherine Robertson needed a new pair of specs and chose Bevel 'Shuffle Up' in Mahogany Silk. This fine, feminine frame compliments her features and looks fabulous. Great choice Catherine!

The 'mark of a great eyewear designer

'No bullshit - just passion and aluminium,' says Jacob Kilsgaard. He doesn't do bells and whistles or frills. In true Danish style (just like Lindberg), Jacob Kilsgaard would rather create simple, honest and tasteful eyewear.

Jacob's plan to design eyewear that doesn't stand out has had quite the opposite effect. Since beginning the Kilsgaard collection in 2008, he's won the IF Product Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award, proving that in a world full of loud and attention-seeking eyewear, simple, understated designs are the ones that really stand out.

The Kilsgaard collection features aluminium fronts and acetate temples in a range of stunning colours. These frames are lightweight (think empty beer cans, but much classier) and have a very cool matte finish.

Here are a few of the beautiful designs and colours just in at MHPE.