
Unique, Vibrant & Stylish
Our glasses are how we see the world and how the world sees us. Meena McDonald finds out more. Photography: Robin Lyndon
With a significant range of inspiring, engaging and educational videos with over 12 million views on YouTube, The Spectacle Factory has the largest glasses community in the world.
Combine that with local clients such as Patricia who is unique, vibrant, stylish and inspirational and you have a recipe for tremendous success!
A retired, widowed headteacher, Patricia really is a distinct lady whose glasses reflect her personality, which is what eyewear should be all about.
As Robert Sands who manages The Spectacle Factory, comments: “Our glasses are how we see the world, but they are also how the world sees us.
“Embracing spectacles is so much better than trying to fight the need to wear glasses. They are a way to reflect your own style and personality, and with two individual pairs, Patricia can change her look based on how she feels.”
One pair features an extremely distinguished, intricately, hand-designed gold-plated frame which she can wear to reflect her serious ‘headteacher’ look!
The other is an exquisitely unique, colourful pair which reflects her vivacious and fun personality. In fact, so much so, that when she wore them recently whilst shopping at Booths, a gentleman approached her and commented: “You are like the gold under the rainbow!”
What a delightful compliment!
Patricia comments: “The range and quality of the glasses at The Spectacle Factory are second to none. This goes for the lenses as well as the frames. The technology they use gives such an accurate prescription, guaranteeing the best vision possible. It’s so beautiful to be able to see such a level of detail when I’m in my garden.”
Patricia continues: “I took up glass fusing as a hobby, after caring for my husband for eight years and now create distinct glass pieces for numerous schools, churches as well as for friends. My designs incorporate bees, flowers, rainbows, mandalas and spirals and they are so well received that it’s such a joy to create them – and my glasses are so fundamental to the detail of each piece I produce.”
The quality of Patricia’s glasses is rather exceptional too.
The colourful pair are a limited edition produced by the iconic I.a.Eyeworks, a quirky brand worn by some of the most renowned celebrities in Hollywood such as Elton John, Rupaul, Pierce Brosnan, Andy Warhol and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The brand celebrates the diversity of faces and the uniqueness of individuals. The super glossy range, which is bright, shiny and fun is manufactured in Japan where the quality is immaculate and second to none throughout the globe.
The glasses are hand-made from acetate, a premium material which is derived from cotton and is extremely lightweight, making the glasses comfortable and relaxing to wear.
The lenses are from the excellent Zeiss Smart Life range ensuring natural vision and are great for digital devices. Patricia’s pair has a ruby coating on them, which adds a mystery and unique dimension to the glasses! Additionally, they incorporate PhotoFusion technology and turn into sunglasses when she’s out in the sun.
Her more ‘serious’ pair are also manufactured in Japan by Masunaga who have been established since 1905. They are true pioneers of eyewear craftsmanship, making glasses with incredible artistry with engravings in the metalwork, which would rival the best watchmakers.
This is evident in the level of detail and elaborate beauty in every handcrafted pair of glasses they produce. Patricia’s glasses are created from titanium, with an acetate rim and gold plated for a beautiful lustre. This pair has a relaxing brown and amber lens, which become sunglasses when needed.
The icing on the cake for Patricia is the service she receives from the team at The Spectacle Factory, which is educational, caring and personal.
Patricia concludes: “It is a joy to visit The Spectacle Factory. It is such a remarkable optician with a range of top quality products, innovative and outstanding eye technology, along with the dedicated service of the whole team.”
The Spectacle Factory is one of a handful of family-owned independent opticians in the UK. Their focus is on empowering their customers to make the best decision for their vision and eye health, helping them to understand any changes in their eyes and eliminating the mystery around the complexities of vision and glasses.
For more details call 01772 312213 or visit the website at: thespectaclefactory.com
The Spectacle Factory
Unit 1 Dewhurst Row
Bamber Bridge
Preston PR5 6BB
01772 312213
thespectaclefactory.com