eyebobs Reading Glasses

Every 8 seconds, someone turns 40. Eyes over the age of 40 begin to lose their flexibility which makes focusing at close range more difficult (also called presbyopia).

No, you don’t need longer arms, more light or a menu written in larger type. Diet, exercise and cryogenics will not stave off this condition. We hate to break it to you, but reading glasses are inevitable.

Now the good news! You are not doomed to wander the racks of drugstore readers in search of the least ugly pair of cheaters. Consider this: reading glasses are an opportunity to express yourself!

Eyebobs eyewear was born of the ultimate fashion conundrum. Founder and President, Julie Allinson, found herself in need of reading glasses. Her unique personal style left her with a strong aversion to readers of the cheap, drugstore variety. This left her with one option, frames with a price tag that seemed more appropriate for a small automobile than reading glasses. The business maven immediately recognized a niche. She left her job as president of a children’s clothing company and set to work designing distinctive, high quality eyewear for the style conscious reader needer (that won’t break the bank).

Sir Elton John and his band rocked the Xcel Energy Center recently and they were all looking incredibly stylish! They love eyebobs! Seen here wearing these eyebob frames: Shade Teaser, Total Wit & Mr Digler.

Optical_Illusion_Elton_John_Reading_Glasses_eyebobs

You’re stylish, smart and a little bit sarcastic – your eyewear should be too. Eyebobs have styles and colors to suit every mood, from dignified classics to big, bold and bright. They’ve got sunglass readers to keep you looking stylish while reading outdoors. Prescription glasses? Convert your eyebobs into prescription eyewear. Be the envy of younger eyes everywhere with your funky glasses!

Founded in 2001, eyebobs are reading glasses for the irreverent and slightly jaded. Creativity, wit and a dash of sarcasm reign at the Minneapolis headquarters. Allinson creates the designs herself, with help from staff and optical nuts who share her quirky vision. Styles range from the avant garde to buttoned-up conservative, all with a slightly tongue-in-cheek attitude. Eyebobs firmly believes that your style should be sharp, even if your vision isn’t.

January 6, 2014

Alexander DAAS ~ Sexy With A Heart Of Gold!

Ring in the New Year! Happy 2014!!

At Optical Illusions we love all our brands. (If we didn’t, we wouldn’t sell them!) But to kick off 2014 we want to celebrate the brand with the biggest Heart of Gold… Alexander DAAS. We love your sexy styles and we love your heart for giving even more!!

Quality

Alexander DAAS’ sexy style, philosophy of giving and their attention to detail are all incredible and help to differentiate them from the rest. Designed in California and handmade in Japan, the eyewear collection includes both classic and modern looks. Frames are made from the finest Japanese zyl and Italian Mazzucchelli acetates and finished with Italian hinges and German screws.

Sexy!

Simply put, their sunglasses and eyeglasses are mad Sexy. Seen recently on the red carpets worn by Hollywood and major league players, Alexander DAAS pulls a look together and gives it edge.

San Francisco Giants, Brian Wilson is a huge Alexander DAAS fan and has been photographed many times on at events in Daas. Mike Rowe, star of hit show “Dirty Jobs” was spotted wearing style “eye do II” while on vacation. Jenny McCarthy LOVES her Alexander Daas eyewear. She rocks the modern/retro dark rectangular frame when doing TV appearances. Lo Bosworth, star of MTV’s Laguna Beach knows sunglasses and she prefers the original “eye do” frame when she’s out and about. Double trouble ~ Rockstar Sammy Hagar and his beautiful wife Kari Hagar might be telling us they would marry again by sporting their Alexander DAAS “eye do” & “eye do II!”

Alexander DAAS ~ Philanthropy

A big shout out to ALEXANDER DAAS! Their philanthropic model should serve as inspiration and example to other companies. They are actually making a difference in other people’s lives and getting others giving too! Part of their formula is inspiring others to be involved as well.

In order to achieve this, ALEXANDER DAAS donates a percentage of its revenue from frame sales to charity. However, they don’t just simply choose to whom to donate ourselves. Their philanthropic efforts are designed to reflect the diverse interests of their partners and to inspire them to get involved. Donations are made in honor of individual retailers to charities of their choice. By allowing our local retailers choose, we are getting them involved in the process in hopes that philanthropy can become a bigger part of their lives, too. And perhaps they will get you, their customer, involved by getting your input about what charity to support…

There is so much to love about Alexander DAAS ~ here is a little more!

December 28, 2013

Kate Spade ~ New York Chic

Live Colorfully!

Kate Spade eyewear is the pièce de résistance of the house of Kate Spade. Bold, colorful and fresh, Kate Spade eyewear is the choice of fashionistas around the world!

Free Download from Kate Spade

Click to download this season’s unique glasses print to all your digital devices:

Chic, fresh, modern and colorful ~ Kate Spade eyewear, frames & sunglasses are here! Optical Illusion Del Mar carries the latest from Kate Spade New York.

It all started back in 1993, when Kate Brosnahan Spade, the former accessories editor at Mademoiselle, set out to design the perfect handbag. She has since made her mark in fashion with her fresh esthetic. She combines sleek, utilitarian shapes and colorful palettes in an entirely new way.

Women and fashion editors fell for the fresh, modern sensibility, and Kate Spade New York was born. They opened their first shop in new york city in 1996. Kate Spade’s graphic approach and trademark wit created a visual shorthand for a brand recognizable throughout Del Mar, San Diego, New York City and the world over.

Young Hollywood loves Kate Spade sunglasses. Seen in New York, Hilary Duff added an extra dose of sunshine to her fall-perfect ensemble with oversized chantal sunglasses from Kate Spade.

Katy Perry looking chic in her Kate Spade sunglasses at the coachella music festival ~

To find these styles and more, come visit us at Optical Illusion in Del Mar. We have an onsite lab and can even make prescription lenses for most customers within an hour. Some prescriptions may take longer. We are known for carrying the hottest fashion lines in eyewear, frames and sunglasses; as well as our personal, caring service. You not only look better but see better too!

December 19, 2013

Oliver Peoples Retro

So Retro ~ So Contemporary

You have seen it happening… the younger generation discovering something we have known about and loved for decades. Their enthusiasm renews our enthusiasm for what we loved when we were younger. So it has happened with uber classic, uber stylish Oliver Peoples sunglasses and eyeglasses. Long recognized for incredible design Oliver Peoples’ classic styles in sunglasses and frames are being celebrated as new by young hipsters and authentic retro by those who are old enough to remember. For some of us, it’s hard to imagine we can call something from the 80’s vintage but it’s true. Their Vintage Circa 1987 collection, Sir, has become a favorite accessory of edgy, fashion-forward stylists and male and female hipster fashionistas.

The Sir Collection

To celebrate and promote the Sir Collection, Oliver Peoples has done something completely out-of-the-box.

Sir Series at Miller’s Oath from Oliver Peoples

The Los Angeles-based eyewear company has established an alignment with Miller’s Oath, a custom menswear brand based in New York. Miller’s Oath has its own impressive heritage.

Founded in 1906 by six brothers, Miller’s Oath began as a trading post and quickly grew as an institution lauded for hand tailoring and bespoke accessories. Oliver Peoples utilized the Miller’s Oath store as an environment to showcase a new capsule series in continuation of the Vintage Circa 1987 collection called Sir. Together they have created the dream uniform for the modern day, American executive ~ and with a few adjustments, it’s the ultra-modern, retro look that hipsters are craving, too! The Sir collection was relaunched world-wide last month.

Optical Illusions in Del Mar prides itself on having the latest collections from the top fashion houses in the world and we have the latest from Oliver Peoples! We also have a friendly, knowledgeable team that will help you get the perfect fit, every time!

December 11, 2013

Maui Jim for the Holidays!

What are you getting the man on your list this Holiday Season?

Start and finish your shopping with Maui Jim sunglasses at Optical Illusion in Del Mar and you will be sure to make him very, very happy!

Coastal residents know the value of a quality pair of polarized sunglasses!

If you have never tried polarized lenses ~ you have no idea what you are missing! The colors that you can see are amazing! See the difference:

Maui Jim’s for the Holidays!

The Maui Jim collection features polarized lenses designed to enhance your vision in different light conditions. They have Neutral Grey for bright, direct sun. Neutral Grey’s have the highest available light reduction for rich color and contrast in very bright conditions. HCL® Bronze lenses provide excellent contrast for everyday variable conditions. Great if you love a warm, subtle bronze tint. You’ve heard of looking at life through rose colored glasses. Now you can! Maui Rose ™provide the highest contrast available for everyday variable conditions. Sunglasses with this lens are excellent for fast moving sports. Plus the provides a subtle rose tint. Maui HT ™ lenses have been specially designed to provide color and contrast on low light. These High Transmission lenses are for times when most lenses would be too dark. They provide more contrast and color for early morning, late afternoon and foggy days.

Maui Jim Lens Collections:

Neutral Grey
HCL® Bronze & Maui Rose™
Maui HT ™

Neutral Grey

HCL® Bronze & Maui Rose™

Maui HT ™

Come in to Optical Illusion to try a pair for yourself. You won’t believe how beautiful your world can be!

Oh! And when you’re shopping, don’t forget your honey!

Happy Holidays from the entire Optical Illusion family!!

December 6, 2013

Holiday Gift Certificates

Happy Holidays!!!

Optical Illusion Gift Certificates ~ a Perfect Gift for Everyone on Your Holiday List!

Thanksgiving Day, Chanukah, Christmas, New year’s ~ the holidays are upon us! The holiday season is a time of gratitude and giving. At Optical Illusion in Del Mar, we have stocked up on Gift Certificates to help insure you are able to get that special someone in your life the perfect gift this holiday season!

Searching for the perfect gift for your husband? Is he into outdoor sports? A new pair of Maui Jim’s with their high quality polarized lens might be perfect! Now which pair?!? The selection of Maui Jim’s at Optical Illusion is huge! So many of our customers buy a gift certificate for their favorite outdoorsman so he can try on his favorites and get the perfect pair. Plus, he may just do a little ‘Thank You!’ shopping for his favorite gal! 😉

When it comes to shopping, are women any easier than men? Does your wife just adore Prada? Is your girlfriend dying for the latest designer sunglasses? Does your sister keep saying she wishes she had some of those super trendy dark eyeglass frames from Armani? Get it right the first time with a gift certificate from Optical Illusion.
http://youtu.be/H2pQbphEipc
Optical Illusion is the area’s exclusive retailer for many of the world’s most exclusive brands. You will find the very latest from Oliver Peoples, Tiffany, Lafont, Bvlgari, Alexander Daas, Prada, Silhouette, Maui Jim, Kate Spade, Armani, Charmant, eye.bobs and Persol.

Don’t forget, we have a lab on location and can do most prescriptions in an hour! Our reputation as one of the area’s best opticians is very important to us. We use only the best quality lenses for your eyes!

Thrill everyone on your shopping list with a Gift Certificate from Optical Illusion Del Mar.

From all of us at Optical Illusion…

Happy Holidays!!!

November 22, 2013

Prada

Can You Handle My Prada?!

Prada is edgy and out there. You are not just fashion forward when you wear Prada – you are a fashion creator. Our customers who rock Prada do it with a fantastic confidence! We love them and their Pradas!!

Check out the Prada video for Dixie Sunglasses – so hot!

The Pradas are IN!!

So here is to those that set the trends! We have 40+ ALL NEW Prada Sunglasses and frames in for the Holidays!

Optical Illusion has a long, long history of serving the Del Mar and surrounding community with honesty, integrity and educated technical knowledge. Steven Kaiser is one of the area’s most trusted and respected opticians. But Optical Illusion is more than a top rated optical store; it is a Fashion House! Get to know Optical Illusion: all the top sunglass and eyeglass designers, only the very latest styles and yes, trusted knowledgeable in-house optical services.

November 21, 2013

Prada

Can You Handle My Prada?!

Check out the Prada video for Dixie Sunglasses – so hot!

The Pradas are IN!!

So here is to those that set the trends! We have 40+ ALL NEW Prada Sunglasses and frames in for the Holidays!

November 13, 2013

Giorgio Armani Eyewear

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani has long been a leader in high end couture and ready-to-wear fashion. Now their eyewear division is taking a huge lead in Social Media and technology with their innovative “Frames of You” campaign. #framesofyou #armani

Super hot, super chic and taking the world of Social Media by storm. Want to get involved? Grab your favorite Armani’s and your smartphone and read on!

The gist of the campaign is really straightforward. If you wear Armani’s they are betting your life might be a little more than interesting. They encourage their fans to “Get in the Spotlight.” Giorgio Armani eyewear lovers everywhere are editing and posting photos and video of themselves, their lovers and their friends living the Armani lifestyle. What is interesting is how different people from different countries choose to flaunt their frames. We love it!

Optical Illusion in Del Mar is the areas leading source for current eyewear styles. “Armani has always been great but we have noticed an even higher standard of quality in 2013.” Now with this new digital campaign, stockholders are very excited about trending sales. We are just excited about all the fabulous looks we have for the season!

Get in the Spotlight Armani Campaign

“There is a story waiting to be told… YOURS! Be inspired by the new Frames of Life campaign and share your story with us through Frames of You! Every week we will select the best content and publish it here on our website. Shoot a short film or take still shots representing your favorite pair of sunglasses. This time you can direct and star in your own film!” http://alive.armani.com/en/pages/frames-of-life/

From Tokyo to Paris fans of Armani eyewear are posting videos of themselves, their lives, their Armani’s. These vignettes give a glimpse into another world. Armani sunglasses have a long history of being sexy and fashion forward. We, at Optical Illusion Del Mar love that Armani is so tech forward and continuing to set trends in the sunglass and eyeglass industry.

November 5, 2013

The Legend of Persol

Persol Eyewear

Function meets sexy Italian style! Persol from “per il sole” meaning “for the sun”, highlighting their function of protection against the sun’s rays. Persol’s reputation through the years includes superior technology but also crazy sexy style! Iconic and legendary, Persol eyewear has long been a favorite of Hollywood greats. Many famous stars were known for their Persols including sexy Steve McQueen.

Persol History

Turin 1917, Giuseppe Ratti, photographer and owner of Berry Opticians, began an adventure destined to lead to international success. Indeed, it was in a small courtyard in Via Caboto that he began to make technically advanced glasses, designed to satisfy the demands of pilots and sports drivers who required comfort, protection and optimum vision. Thus Protector glasses were born, made using round smoked lenses with rubber edges and attached to the head by means of elastic bands. Soon they were adopted by the Armed Forces and by pilots in the Italian Military Aviation.

Intuition, ingenuity, innovation and quality made Protector glasses the choice of several air forces around the world, including the United States. During this period they were worn by flying, driving and motorcycling aces – D’Annunzio, De Pinedo, Ferrarin, Chiron, Nazzaro, Fangio, Opessi, Bolognini and Ghersi to name but a few of their most famous users. From the pen of a great designer, Eugenio Colmo, a.k.a. Golia, came to life the “Cinesino” in 1920, a character that distinguished the Berry shop in Via Roma and that, with its graphic development, accompanied advertising campaigns for Ratti’s products for 50 years, in particular the Persol line that was created in that period.

Again in the 1920s the famous yellow-brown lens that is mounted on all Persol glasses was created using neutral crystal made from the purest silica. Its singular characteristic is owed to a special “en masse” manufacturing process that determines its colouring and guarantees extremely high protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Subsequent development of the Protector model, guided by an intuition and determination to create truly revolutionary sunglasses in terms of quality and ease of wearing, led to the creation of the Persol trademark (Persol from “per il sole” meaning “for the sun”, highlighting their function of protection against the sun’s rays).

The extraordinary characteristics of this innovative product were its neat design, crystal lenses (the pride of Persol), the Silver Arrow (both a functional detail and unmistakable decorative element) and the Meflecto patent, a system studied to make the stems flexible and offer maximum comfort.

The 50’s marked the birth of the Silver Arrow, Persol’s unmistakable symbol: a hinge decorated with an arrow on the stem, inspired by the swords of ancient warriors. This innovation, born of Ratti’s intuition, was immediately patented in several countries.

Model 649, built for tram drivers in Turin who needed large glasses to protect their eyes against the air and dust, was created in 1957. The novelty of its design made it a very successful pair of glasses, copied over the years by many competitors, and in 1961 they entered into legend when Marcello Mastroianni wore them in the film “Divorce Italian Style”.

The 1980s extended the considerable attention that Persol had always paid to technological innovation and care for its products. Indeed, it took part in several expeditions to test its lenses at high altitudes and in the desert, verifying their performance in extreme conditions, and to experiment with the use of innovative materials.lso marked the birth of the Silver Arrow, Persol’s unmistakable symbol: a hinge decorated with an arrow on the stem, inspired by the swords of ancient warriors. This innovation, born of Ratti’s intuition, was immediately patented in several countries.

Over the 80s and 90s, therefore, we see Persol being tested in the most extreme conditions, with an expedition to the Svalbard Islands in Northern Norway, the sponsoring of and participation in several editions of the gruelling Paris-Dakar race, and the outfitting of an entire team for the Pharaohs Rally in 1991.

And again, excursionist Enrico Rosso wore Persol glasses in 1989 as he climbed up to the Himalayan summit of Kun (23251 ft). With him was ophthalmologist Paolo Gugliermina who looked after ocular testing. Upon his return he reported that none of the men on the expedition had suffered eye problems thanks to protection from Persol lenses specifically designed for the mission.

Los Angeles, 1991, in the legendary and exclusive Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the first Persol boutique opened as proof of a preference shown by an ever wider public.In 1994 Persol was present in 40 countries worldwide and sold in 3.500 points of sale in Italy and over 12.000 in the rest of the world. Its success was indisputable and due to the refinement of its models, Persol has been chosen for the advertising campaigns of great names in the world of fashion.

Persol has, from time to time, entrusted its public image to some exceptional figures: from the aforementioned Ornella Muti, Jean Alesi and Carol Alt to the extraordinary actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, footballer Alessandro Del Piero (promoter in 1998-99) and footballer Filippo Inzaghi (promoter in 2004). These personalities have shown their preference for the Persol legend and interpreted its style and character with elegance and originality.