Ever Wondered Where Your Glasses Are Made?

Fukui: Japan

When it comes to hand making quality eyewear, Italy, Germany and parts of China do a great job but at MHPE over half of our in store collections are made in Fukui, Japan where Japanese innovations in technology are married with the skills of artisan eyewear makers. For the past century, Japanese experts have passed down through the generations, the specific skills for hand making eyewear.

The process of making acetate frames involves over 100 steps, commencing with the design process, cutting out the frame components from the slab of acetate, hand polishing done through burnishing or rumbling the components in barrels with woodchips to achieve a high quality sheen.  The overall quality and finish is far superior to that of mass produced frames, which are machine made and sprayed with lacquer.

Some food for thought when you're looking for the next pair of glasses to grace your face!

Yellows Plus Sun Equals Perfection!

Make way for spring! We adore Sue Carlyle in her new Yellows Plus "Alice" sunnies, looking absolutely fabulous and all set for the sun.

California Design at AAG

It's no secret that we at MHPE love really great design. We suggest you head on down to the Auckland Art Gallery to check out their exhibition "California Design 1930-1965". Witness the talent of Ray & Charles Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright and many other sun-drenched designers from way-back-when. The show runs until September.

Hot off the press!

We've had a couple of our spectacular sunnies featured in Canvas magazine! A big thank you to canvas's fashian editor, Dan Ahwa. There’s more to come so keep a look out for some more of his picks for sunglasses and frames this season! 

Above: Oliver Goldsmith 'Fuz' in white. Originally designed in 1966, this frame featured with Audrey Hepburn in “Two for the Road”.
Below: Graz 'Ellery' in champagne. This quirky cats-eye embodies 70's chic with a modern twist

New Yellows Plus on deck!

We could easily take up a 1000 words raving about the amazing new “Yellows Plus” collection by Japanese Designer, Toshiaki Yamagishi. Elegant, handfinished design and classic sculptural lines ensure this collection is clean, cohesive and sophisticated. 

Models pictured:
Centre: Lucy in plum
Top left clockwise: Alice in leopard tort, Gil in honey blonde tort, Chloe in black silver, Alice in honey blonde tort, Letty in leopard tort, 631 in black silver

Stunning Specs!

Just an update on a few of the fabulous people who recently acquired new glasses from us! We've been busy!

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Susie Houghton is glowing with old movie glamour in her new Oliver Goldsmith ”Sophia” sunglasses. As a lawyer and mother of three, Susie felt she’d earned a treat and with her schedule we’d have to agree.

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Growing up in Holland, Els Ariaens knows a thing or two about European design and precision. Here she is in her new ‘Hanno’ frame by German designers Martin & Martin.

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Not a day goes by when we don't hear Michael telling clients that Martin & Martin frames are built "like a truck". While this doesn't seem a very desirable way to describe a range so refined and stylish, it's the unmistakable truth. Germany's modernism flows through these strong designs, all precision handmade in Germany, using Italian cotton based acetate and double spring hinges. Pictured here, Chris Burgess in Martin & Martin's "Klaus" a frame that should withstand the rigours of a family man with two young sons.

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Trust a Grey Lynn resident to put together this stunning trench coat and glasses combination. Brigid Hardy is welcoming in the change of the season with her new Claire Goldsmith "Watson" in appropriate autumnal tone "Deep Sea".

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Suzanne Boyle rushed in to get her contacts on her way to the airport to board a flight to Sydney and "woosh" walked out with "The Moosh"! Designed in 1968, this beauty by Oliver Goldsmith is one of our favourite sunglasses. Pictured here on Suzanne in "blue opal".

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William Brooks pictured here in ……the “Brooks”! Architecture student, William is a member of New Zealand’s best dressed optical family, his parents both having purchased new glasses from us, the same day William walked out in his new Garrett Leight.

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Miss Hannah Broederlow wearing Claire Goldsmith’s Findlay in Fire. Just perfect in every way.

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Designed specifically for petite faces, the ‘Noe’ by Alexander Daas is a perfect fit for gorgeous student Victoria Peters.

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Bevel's chic frame architecture features clean lines reminiscent of American modernism. Daniel Lund was drawn to the refinement of the new "Jeff" as well as the quality matt finish. We can tell Jeff is going to be a popular guy around here. We landed 5 from the States 2 weeks ago and have 1 left.

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Garrett Leight on Garrett Leight

Garrett Leight's eyewear epitomizes laidback Californian cool, so we're pretty excited to have a bigger selection of his range in our stores. Listen to the man behind the name talk about his vision and what inspires him. Garrett's attention to detail is incredible!