Glasses Fit for a Prima Ballerina
If you want to capture a certain style it can be achieved through statement eyewear, writes Emma Brereton. Photography: SusieQPhotography.co.uk
Former prima ballerina, Marian St Claire and premiere danseur, Michael Beare have been lucky enough to lead a theatrical flamboyant life where people like Rudolph Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn and Marie Rambert have played parts in their incredible careers. They founded the London City Ballet and have danced the world over.
The happily married couple now live in Clayton-le-Woods yet still travel extensively offering ballet tuition to some of the world’s rising stars. And it is thanks to their eyewear from The Spectacle Factory that they are able to continue this work.
“We heard about The Spectacle Factory through a friend of ours,” says Michael. “The friendliness of the staff captured us instantly and now we wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
Marian adds: “As dancers we’re a bit vain. You just can’t have something normal when you’ve been dressed up your whole life. We wanted to find glasses that allowed us to ‘peacock’, not necessarily to impress but to reflect our style as artists.”
Marian, who needs glasses for long distance, felt at home when she was presented with designer ranges that hadn’t been on offer at any other opticians she had visited: “When I saw the selection I instantly thought, wow, there are styles here I didn’t even know existed!”
“And that’s something that’s important to me. I want to enjoy the whole process of shopping for something new. I like to find items of clothing and accessories that are both high fashion yet classic in design.”
And her Jimmy Choo pair certainly achieve this look, capturing an image of Coco Chanel or Audrey Hepburn, Marian’s glasses are more than noticeable. They wouldn’t look out of place in St Tropez or on the Champs Élyseé.
Michael has different needs when it comes to his eye health. He wears varifocals which have allowed him to carry on teaching and are so comfortable he doesn’t even know they’re on. Michael also wanted glasses that didn’t look too harsh and had softer frames.
“I am about to head to Germany to teach and I know that I will be able to pirouette without my glasses even moving an inch. They’re such a good fit you could play a game of football.”
Both Marian and Michael also emphasise that now they are under the care of The Spectacle Factory, neither of them worries about their eye health.
“We know we are in safe hands,” says Marian. “I used to avoid driving at night because of the glare from headlights. I mentioned this to Ruth at The Spectacle Factory and she added Zeiss Drivesafe to my glasses so this isn’t a concern for me anymore.”
Michael concludes: “The team give every customer personal attention with an emphasis on eye health and the right glasses for their lifestyle. They’re incredibly thorough and you’re never rushed into a purchase.”
The Spectacle Factory
Unit A, Dewhurst Row
Bamber Bridge
Preston
PR5 6BB
Telephone 01772 312213
www.thespectaclefactory.com
