Such is the inevitably of time, the end of 2019 is almost upon us.
It's been a funny old year hasn't it, what with one thing and another. The cloud of a potential exit from the EU has, once again, loomed heavy, we've been made to analyse our carbon footprint more than ever and we found out it was actually Rebekah Vardy who had been leaking stories about Colleen Rooney to the press -escándalo!
With so much uncertainty surrounding the future, it's hard to know what 2020 will bring. So let's, instead, look back to something we do know; 2019 was a cracking year at Seen HQ!
Here are a few of our most memorable moments of 2019:
We interviewed eyewear design superstar, Elena Doukas
Earlier this year we managed to pin down the incredibly talented design director of Garrett Leight and Mr Leight, Elena Doukas for a chat. She shared insights into the process of designing eyewear for two of the best independent eyewear brands in the world. She also filled us in on her very unconventional journey into the world of eyewear, told us where we should visit next time we’re in Japan and revealed her prediction for the big eyewear trend of 2020…
We hung out with Jean Phillipe Joly at SILMO
SILMO is always one of the best weekends in the optical calendar and this year was certainly no different. A highlight was meeting the founder of one of our newest and most exciting brands, Jean Philippe Joly (or JP as he let us call him). Every year it’s fantastic to get to chat with these true VIPS of eyewear and we always come away totally re-energised for the year ahead. Read our full write up of SILMO 2019 over on our journal and find out which new brand we’ll be adding to the Seen shelves soon…
We took a look into the future with You Mawo
German-based eyewear brand You Mawo are a new player to the eyewear game who are changing the way we think about eyewear design. Thanks to the wonder of 3D imaging and printing, You Mawo can make you a frame that is literally made to fit your face. Head into our Manchester store to check the new tech and read more about the brand here.
We shone the spotlight on some icons of eyewear
From crooning legend, Elton John’s attention-grabbing extravagant eyewear collection to master director, Spike Lee’s colourful body of rainbow coloured opticals - this year we spent some time analysing the eyewear wardrobes of some more of our favourite icons of eyewear, and we were not left disappointed. Check out these and more icons of eyewear including the legendary Samuel L Jackson over on our journal.
We got our hands on some outrageously stylish new eyewear from our favourite independent brands...
This year saw the first new collection from LA eyewear brand, Mr Leight since their initial launch back in the Spring of 2018; and the collection was absolutely worth the wait. We also added two new collections from Seen favourite Garrett Leight as well as a whole host of other brand spanking new styles from the likes of Thom Browne, Dita, Theo, Anne et Valentin... we could go on. Special mention also goes to our friends over at Jacques Marie Mage who have kept us on our toes with big bold and beautiful drops throughout the year; including the Yves sunglass, which has been a clear favourite with our customers. You guys clearly have great taste!
And finally, we kitted loads of you out with some fabulous eyewear
The reason we do what we do. Every year you never fail to amaze us with your incredible eyewear choices and this year we witnessed some of the best eyewear transformations yet. Nothing beats seeing a person come into the store wearing a frame they’re bored with or doesn’t suit their style or personality and seeing them leave with new eyewear that elevates them, truly represents who they are and means they can’t keep the smile from their face. So we are forever thankful to you, our customers, who make every day just a little bit more fabulous. Here’s to many more eyewear transformations in 2020...
Check out our Instagram to see even more of our happy customers and their eyewear transformations.
