Production realities, and the streets of Le Marais
A lot has unfolded since my last update, and if there is one constant in physical product design, it’s that timelines love to keep you on your toes.
I finally received my full set of production frames, which was an incredible feeling. But right as we were nearing the finish line, we hit a classic manufacturing curveball: a delay in our lens delivery. Rather than waiting around, we pivoted quickly and had custom lenses cut so the collection could still be shown. Right now, that full set is in the hands of my photographer getting official product shots taken. I am so anxious to get those finished assets back so I can finally flip the switch on the brand-new website I’ve been building behind the scenes.
Even with the site still waiting on final photography, a few of our very first sales have already come in through word of mouth and social media. Ironically, every single one of those orders was for The Mick in sparkling bronze! One happened while I was traveling in Europe and I was glad I could make it happen. Holding that frame, with its rich texture and sculptural curves, I have a feeling it is going to be one of our most popular silhouettes.
In the middle of working timelines for frames, microfiber clothes and cases, I packed my bags and flew to London for work work and then Paris for the highly anticipated SILMO. To be completely candid with you, I walked away with mixed feelings. Maybe there was a bit of newcomer naivety on my part as an independent designer, but the scale of the show was overwhelming, and it became clear very quickly that the massive exhibition hall is engineered for mega-brands to do corporate volume selling. Many of the big houses literally had their collections hidden behind closed walls, accessible only through rigid sales appointments. My favorite part of the convention floor was tucked away in the back rows, wandering through the smaller booths to discover truly independent labels with designers like me.
Ultimately, though, I realized that the kind of creative fuel I need as a designer wasn't in the walls of a mega sized trade hall. It was on the streets. And the beauty of being your own boss is that you get to call the shots. So, dear eyewear lovers, I visited the show and then spent two full days just wandering the streets of Paris. Getting lost in Le Marais, taking in the architectural details, visiting some local optical shops and watching how real Parisians style their accessories. I soaked in the rhythm of the city and it gave me ten times more inspiration than any trade booth ever could.
The real highlight of the trip happened while browsing through Le Bon Marché. I was wandering through the luxury handbag department wearing a pair of my very own 620s, when the sales associates stopped me to ask where I had gotten my glasses. When I told them they were from my own brand, she lit up and pulled up my website right there on the floor pulling over other associates and customers to show them my frames :) Throughout those two days, having several effortlessly stylish Parisian women stop to tell me how chic the frames looked was the incredible affirmation. In a business where you spend months doubting tiny millimeter adjustments, that kind of organic feedback feels like a quiet confirmation that you're on the right path.
Now that I’m back home, the finish line is genuinely in sight. Final production delivery should be landing on my doorstep in the next week or two. That means it’s time to bring these frames into the real world. I’m currently prepping for the first in-person trunk shows: a curated pop-up on Lido Isle in Newport Beach, followed by the Renegade Craft Fair in Santa Monica. There is nothing like getting to hand someone a pair of 8mm frames and watching their face light up when they feel the weight and fit in person. I’ll be visiting NYC for work work Oct 20-23rd. I’m thinking about doing a casual meet-and-try-on in the SoHo area one evening. Let me know if you’re interested!?
Beyond the upcoming pop-ups, there might be an even bigger physical milestone brewing. I’ve been toying with the idea of opening a shared brick-and-mortar storefront alongside a wonderful fellow small business owner who curates luxury secondhand designer handbags, shoes, and jewelry. The synergy between high-end architectural eyewear and curated vintage luxury feels so natural, and having a physical home where our community can come try on pieces in person would be a dream.
Thank you for following along with the real, unvarnished ride of bringing this collection to life. Look out for the next issue—the next time I write, the site should be live and all the deliveries might finally be here!
Stay bold,
Stephanie