What brands are considered high end frames?

[eidauk]

Hello all. I'll be opening a practice/optical soon, but I've been in the LASIK and medical practice arena for quite some time. I'm quite out of touch when it comes to frame brands and their relative positioning on the economic scale. The practice will be focused on higher-end frames, but still contain some mid-range also.

Which brands are considered high-end? My clientele will most likely be turned off by anything that says it was made in China or Japan, is sold in every single other optical, and lacks a story or bragging point.

I looked at Vision Expo West and found LaFont and Gold & Wood. Any others?

Thanks

[Jana Lewis]

Hello all. I'll be opening a practice/optical soon, but I've been in the LASIK and medical practice arena for quite some time. I'm quite out of touch when it comes to frame brands and their relative positioning on the economic scale. The practice will be focused on higher-end frames, but still contain some mid-range also.

Which brands are considered high-end? My clientele will most likely be turned off by anything that says it was made in China or Japan, is sold in every single other optical, and lacks a story or bragging point.

I looked at Vision Expo West and found LaFont and Gold & Wood. Any others?

Thanks

Theo'

Chrome Hearts

La Eyeworks

Mykita

Judith Leiber

Alan Mikli

Lindberg

Just a few there... :cheers:

[DragonLensmanWV]

Don't be put off by Japanese frames, they are of very high quality, not like the old days.
And many of the "high-end" frames are still made in China.

[drk]

Dude, you're not ready. Just sayin'.

[KStraker]

Koali, Lightec, and Oga, all by Morel Cottet(made in France). These are great mid-upper tier lines, not ultra high end like Ultra Palm, Caviar, etc.

[LENNY]

:idea:In our woods its Global Optique!:idea:

[Johns]

Dude, you're not ready. Just sayin'.

Thanks for sayin' what we were thinkin'.:D

It sounds better coming from you!

[Johns]

My clientele will most likely be turned off by anything that says it was made in China or Japan, is sold in every single other optical, and lacks a story or bragging point.

If you want to pay a little more, I've got a story for any/all of my frames. Italian, German, Chinese...it doesn't matter. If your clientelle are looking for bragging points and stories, they don't need an OD, they need an infomercial.

[Fezz]

Dude, you're not ready. Just sayin'.

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

[KStraker]

:idea:In our woods its Global Optique!:idea:

Yeah, Paola Belle and Tony Ferrara are hot new designers. :D

[Now I See]

It sounds like some of your clientele will want unique....you may want to consider customizing drilled rimless shapes.

FWIW, there's a company called Jonathan Cate, they have at least 2 lines you might want to check out...one is the Etrusco line (Italian made) the other is the Stoneheads line (unique) Here's a link to their website:

http://www.jonathancate.com/Eyewear.html

** I'm not affiliated with the above company....just trying to help a fellow O'boarder out! :)**

[drk]

Seriously, ODs are beyond clueless when it comes to optical, especially so on frame inventory. (I've been working at it some time and am still not "there" myself).

How feasible is it for someone here on line to do a little consulting?

In theory, a frame rep can help you, but the flaws in that are quite obvious.

[Fezz]

How feasible is it for someone here on line to do a little consulting?

I have found that the only folks more frugal than myself are other optical folks.

[drk]

It would be money well-spent.

[Fezz]

It would be money well-spent.

You are 100% correct!

So....................when should Brother Johns and I arrive at your practice to give you a consultation?

[drk]

Don't think I haven't considered it. Unfortunately the ladies on my staff have strong objections to you two.

[Fezz]

Unfortunately the ladies on my staff have strong objections to you two.

Sadly................most ladies do.


:cheers::cheers::cheers:;)

[Johns]

Don't think I haven't considered it. Unfortunately the ladies on my staff have strong objections to you two.

Yikes!

We've had many ladies object to us, but it's usually not a strong objection until they get to know us!:bbg:

[tigerlilly]

I'd do a search and see which frames are reported stolen most often, and that would be my list of the "high end" frames. :cheers:

[LENNY]

Yeah, Paola Belle and Tony Ferrara are hot new designers. :D

:shiner:

[eidauk]

Don't be put off by Japanese frames, they are of very high quality, not like the old days.
And many of the "high-end" frames are still made in China.

I apologize. I meant no disrespect to the Asian industrial regions. I know of many fine products from there. (I'm a devout Toyota buyer.) However, what the customer perceives and what the reality is are still worth addressing, despite the flawed logic.

[Yeap]

you may consider ic berlin, is from germany..

[AWTECH]

Hello all. I'll be opening a practice/optical soon, but I've been in the LASIK and medical practice arena for quite some time. I'm quite out of touch when it comes to frame brands and their relative positioning on the economic scale. The practice will be focused on higher-end frames, but still contain some mid-range also.

Which brands are considered high-end? My clientele will most likely be turned off by anything that says it was made in China or Japan, is sold in every single other optical, and lacks a story or bragging point.

I looked at Vision Expo West and found LaFont and Gold & Wood. Any others?

Thanks

You can PM me and I will give you some west coast based people to consider to help you setup a high end optical line. I think consulting will not cost you anything in the long run. Someone with the contacts will get you good initial pricing and selection with return rights. Or you could wiind up with thousands of dollars in dead inventory plus having to learn as you go.

[Now I See]

Don't think I haven't considered it. Unfortunately the ladies on my staff have strong objections to you two.

Sadly................most ladies do.


:cheers::cheers::cheers:;)

Yikes!

We've had many ladies object to us, but it's usually not a strong objection until they get to know us!:bbg:

LOL! :D comedy.....love it!

[DragonLensmanWV]

That's not comedy! It's just what they used to call on Dragnet, "Just the truth.":D:D:cheers::cheers::D:D