IT’S A STORY ABOUT LOVE.
We are so excited to exclusively carry the Anne et Valentin glasses collection at Oakland Vision Center! Designed and made in France with history, passion, innovation and personality . . . we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity with working with such a great company.
It is a story of love, after all. Anne et Valentin is named after a couple who have been loving, hugging, nurturing and collaborating for over 30 years. Valentin obtained his optician’s degree in France in 1980 and opened a unique optical store in Paris. It was unique in the sense that they were years ahead of the game. Instead of adapting customers to any frame, Anne and Valentin really wanted to know their customers in a deeper way . . . and find the perfect frame. Fast forward 35 years . . . today, we call this lifestyle fitting. Going to a concert? Hanging out at the local hipster cafe? Vacationing in Bali for a couple weeks? Well, that’s 3 pair of glasses, all serving different needs.
In the 1980’s, Valentin managed the optical portion of their business while Anne curated the aesthetic and window displays of their optical shop. Together, they worked with customers and quickly discovered there was a void. Anne starting drawing and in 1984 those drawings became an original, colorful, innovative and technical work of art: the Anne et Valentin collection was born.
“USING COLOR TO IMPROVE EXPRESSION.”
I just love this quote from Anne et Valentin. Color is instant language. I have always said that. And having that color on your face speaks volumes. Anne et Valentin are masters of layering colors, sometimes very different colors to get an unexpected final result: “Wow! That’s so ME!”
HANDMADE. NOT MACHINE MADE.
In the 1980’s frames were made by hand, mostly because they had to be. Like most products, hand made products are different. There’s character. Quality. Passion. Love. Handmade also allows for products like glasses to be made in such a way that the glasses do not have to conform to a production line. The inspiration + design always come first. How cool is that?
JUST SHOWING SOME OFF.
Check out our photos below and see a sampling of our awesome Anne et Valentin glasses. Men. Women. Sunglasses too.
Going to Bali soon? We so got you.
Love + ?,
Dr. Tanya Gill
