Tom Davies Bespoke Eyewear on Youtube

Hello again! We are excited to report that Tom Davies has launched a new channel on Youtube that demonstrates the special tools and machines used to create his custom designed Bespoke eyewear. The channel also contains updates from Tom's video blog. You can view this channel here.

Oakley Supports The Young Survival Coalition

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Oakley has created a line of special edition frames to help raise awareness. The frames include several of Oakley's women's sunglass designs: Ravishing, Enduring, Commit SQ, and Dangerous (pictured above). All frames feature special pink and white detailing and design. The Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon has been laser-cut into the lenses of the sunglasses and $20 from each frame sold are going to benefit the Young Survival Coalition.

If you would like to read more about Oakley and the Young Survival Coalition, please visit here.

Finding the Right Frame for Your Face Shape

There are a few things to consider when selecting your next pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. It's important to make sure that the glasses you pick out compliment your particular face shape and do not exaggerate your features. There are roughly seven different face shapes with varying degrees of each shape: round, oval, oblong, base-down triangle, base-up triangle, diamond, and square. I'll explain what frame shapes will compliment each of the face shapes.

- Round: A round face has soft angles that are proportionate from top to bottom and side to side. The best eyeglass shape for this face is a rectangular frame that is more wide than deep to make the face appear thinner and longer.

- Oval: An oval face shape is the most ideal shape for eyeglasses because of it's balanced proportions. The best frame shape to keep the balanced proportions of the face is a frame that is as wide as the widest part of the face. Another style that works well are walnut-shaped frames that aren't too deep or too narrow.

- Oblong: Since an oblong face tends to be a bit longer than it is wide, the best frames would shorten the face and nose if necessary. A wide frame with a short depth will accomplish this and more obvious contrasting temples will appear to put the dynamics of the face into closer proportion.

- Base-Down Triangle: This shape has a narrow forehead that widens at the cheek and chin areas. To widen the upper third of the face, try a cat-eye shape or something with bright colors.

- Base-Up Triangle: The opposite of a base-down triangle, the base-up triangle face shape has a wider forehead with a narrow or pointed chin. Frames that are wider at the bottom or rimless styles will work well with this shape by not calling attention to the upper third of the face.

- Diamond: This face shape has a narrow forehead and jaw line, but with wide cheekbones may be higher up near the bottom of the eyes. To accentuate the eyes and soften the cheekbones, try frames that have distinctive brow lines, or rimless frames or cat-eye shapes.

- Square: A square face has a broad forehead and a strong jaw line with sharper angles at the corners of the face. The demensions of this face shape are roughly equal from top to bottom and side to side. To de-emphasize the short angles of the face you can try frame styles that are wider than deep or narrow oval shapes.

Our trained frame stylists will be happy to help you find the best look for your face shape!

Helpful Facts about Non-Glare Coating

So we all know that having a non-glare coating put on your lenses reduces the amount of visible glare... but how much glare is actually reduced? Are there other benefits to having the coating besides reducing glare? The answer is that while the amount of glare cut down by the coating is very helpful, there are actually a lot of other benefits to having a non-glare coating which aren't as obvious. Here are a few facts about the coating that should help you decide to make sure and add it to your next pair of glasses.

With a non-glare coating on your lenses:
- Up to 18% more light will get to your eyes, which allows you to see sharper detail and gives you an overall clearer line of sight.
- A non-glare coating will resist scratches, dust, dirt, fingerprints, and water runs right off the surface without leaving a mark.
- Eye-fatigue will be reduced significantly, as fluorescent light will be less bothersome and computer screens will be easier to view.
- Glare from headlights and taillights will be reduced to help with night driving.
- A non-glare coating will make your lenses seem virtually invisible. This not only allows for you to see clearly, but also allows people looking at you to see your eyes instead of their own reflection.
















Remember that not all non-glare coatings are the same. Only the newest technology offers the benefits described here. Be sure to ask about non-glare coating on your next visit to learn more!

New Loree Rodkin Eye Couture

A sneak peak at some of the new styles by Loree Rodkin that we picked up in Vegas at Vision Expo West.





We were super impressed with the new Loree Rodkin collection after looking at it at Vision Expo West in Vegas. The best part about Loree Rodkin eyewear is that Loree chose to partner with Sheila Vance of Sama Eyewear to create her luxurious line of frames. We have been fans of Sama for years now because they are behind Badgley Mischka eyewear. Everything they do is uniquely designed and of top notch quality. All the frames are engineered from Japanese titanium components. Sama was actually the first company to introduce 100% titanium eyewear to the optical industry.














Here is a description from Sama Eyewear of the creation and essence of Loree Rodkin Eyewear.

"Determined to create an eyewear collection of unrivaled luxury, Rodkin teamed with legendary eyewear designer Sheila Vance of Sama Eyewear. Vance worked with Rodkin to create frame designs and decorative elements that perfectly translate the essence of Rodkin’s jewelry into the eyewear milieu.

The collection incorporates Rodkin’s iconic fleur-de-lys, peace signs, crosses and skulls, with Vance’s innovative eyewear designs, luxurious materials (pure titanium, Japanese zyl, Swarovski crystals, etc.), and ultra-premium lenses (utilizing an exclusive lens layering process that produces a multi-colored effect without a gradient tint).

One of the most breathtaking and exclusive eyewear collections available, Loree Rodkin Eye Couture by Sama is a favorite of superstars Elton John, Cher, and Steven Tyler, and is the ultimate jewelry for the face."

These styles and more are on their way to our boutique in Utica Square. We will announce the arrival.

Vision Expo West 2009

Well we just got back from Vision Expo West in Las Vegas! What an exciting week we had meeting with the people behind some of the most exclusive eyewear in the world. We even got to collaborate with British designer Tom Davies on designing some of our own frames that we will feature exclusively at Hicks Brunson Eyewear.

I am also really stoked to announce that we are bringing back Loree Rodkin eye couture. There is nothing in optical right now that comes close to Loree's attention to detail and artistic touch.

While in Vegas we got a sneak peak at the new Face a' Face designs including the new sunglass that won the SILMO award in Paris for the category of best sunglasses. For those of you not 'in the know', SILMO is an international eyewear exhibition held every year in Paris. We are proud to feature Face a' Face eyewear and sunwear, winners of the category Best Village Sunglass at SILMO.

New Store Hours!

Attention: We have changed our store hours for your convenience. We will now be open Monday-Saturday, 10-6 pm.

Face a Face trunk show on Aug. 15th!

We are very excited to say that the entire unique and colorful Face a Face frame collection will be in store for a trunk show on August 15th from 12-5:00 pm. The sales representative for the collection will be in store to answer any questions and assist with frame selection!

Face a Face frames are entirely hand-made in France and offer many styles and colors to compliment any face shape.

The Face a Face Trunk Show will be from 12-5:00 pm on August 15th. We hope to see you there!

Marius Morel 1880 Frame Collection!

We have just acquired a new collection from Morel called 1880. The frame shapes and colors are designed to create a classic and timeless look. From full titanium frames to metal and zyl combination frames, the 1880 collection boasts both rectangular and round designs. Come in and have a look a the Marius Morel 1880 collection today!

Tom Davies / Kawasaki Trunk Show June 20th

On Saturday, June 20th, we will be hosting a trunk show from 11am-5pm for the entire Tom Davies and Kawasaki frame collections. Sales representatives for both collections will be in the store to assist in frame selection and answer any questions.

We are proud to offer Tom Davies' custom tailored "bespoke" eyewear. During the tailored consultation you have a sophisicated series of measurements taken, select from our portfolio of materials and colors, and we input your choices into Tom Davies' online Supertool.
Each frame is hand-made for you using a combination of traditional techniques and modern machinery. You will then have your unique new glasses with your name discretely engraved inside the right arm within three weeks.
In addition to eyeglasses, Tom Davies also has a range of sunglass styles to choose from in a wide array of colors and sizes.

Kazuo Kawasaki, an award winning industrial designer, has approached his signature collection with an artist's mind for creative design and a mathmatician's mind for precision. Using simple, yet effective technology, Kazuo Kawasaki's screwless, three-point tension mounted frames offer distinctive designs for any occasion.
Kazuo Kawasaki frames are constructed of the leading material in modern frame design, beta-titanium. Durable yet lightweight, beta-titanium is the ideal counterpart to the sophisticated design philosophy of Kazuo Kawasaki.

The Tom Davies and Kawasaki trunk show is on June 20th from 11am-5pm. We hope to see you there!

UV Rays and Blue Light Sensitivity

Healthy retinas contain a large arrangement of chemical defenses to protect from UV-blue light damage. They carry the names xanthophyll, glutathione peroxidase, melanin, and include the more well known agents lutein, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zeaxanthin. However, these protectors can become weaker with disease, injury, neglect, and age.
Another built-in defense is that our natural lenses take on a yellowish tint as we age, which helps to filter blue light. Unfortunately, after cataract surgery, patients lose that benefit. Recently doctors have recommended a replacement for the damaged lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) that is tinted to block blue light. The patient should be made aware, however, that this procedure will diminish scotopic (night) vision.
Blue light is important in "natural" lighting, and it may also contribute to our psychological health. Research, however, shows that high illumination levels of blue light can be toxic to cellular structures, test animals, and human fetal retinas. The industry has established standards for protecting us from extremely bright light and from UV radiation; and research to understand and block harmful blue light as best as possible is underway.