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.