This month's newsletter was brimming with inspiration from one of The Optical Gallery's esteemed clients, so I thought we would share this one on our blog – let's meet Charlie. My connection with Charlie and his family goes way back to my childhood days spent alongside my Dad, Marios, who ran the show back then. Many of our customers still inquire about Dad; he's still happily retired coming up to 10 years, keeping busy with grandkids, clay pigeon shooting and finding general odds and sods to do around the home – you know how it is!
As for Charlie, he wasn't one for flashy frames in the old days – back when ostentatious eyewear wasn't exactly en vogue. Most folks, including Charlie, preferred discreet frames, and I recall him mostly as a contact lens wearer. (Above you can see him in his latest addition to his eyewear wardrobe for his working environment)
However, since my brothers and I transitioned to an independent eyewear stockist and styling opticians, Charlie has fully embraced the idea of glasses as an expression of personal style. He's built up quite the eyewear collection, but his favourite and most complimented pair hails from our Gallery's beloved brand, Theo Eyewear.
Now, anyone familiar with Theo Eyewear knows about the compliments their frames attract. It's a common theme among our Theo-wearing clientele – strangers striking up conversations because of their glasses. As an optician, these stories fill me with joy. Knowing that we've helped someone find that perfect frame is immensely satisfying.
But Charlie's story takes it a step further – it's a testament not just to our eyewear, but to Theo themselves. Theo is renowned for their unique designs and vibrant colour choices that exude happiness. During the lockdowns, Charlie embarked on the ambitious project of designing and building his family's new home from scratch. He'd describe it to me, and I couldn't help but envision something straight out of Grand Designs – a show I'm quite fond of myself. Managing such a project must have been incredibly stressful yet undeniably rewarding.
Charlie kept me updated on the progress every time he visited, and when he finally announced the completion and shared photos, I was blown away. Charlie, your home is absolutely stunning – you must be incredibly proud!
Now, anyone familiar with Theo Eyewear knows about the compliments their frames attract. It's a common theme among our Theo-wearing clientele – strangers striking up conversations because of their glasses. As an optician, these stories fill me with joy. Knowing that we've helped someone find that perfect frame is immensely satisfying.
But Charlie's story takes it a step further – it's a testament not just to our eyewear, but to Theo themselves. Theo is renowned for their unique designs and vibrant colour choices that exude happiness. During the lockdowns, Charlie embarked on the ambitious project of designing and building his family's new home from scratch. He'd describe it to me, and I couldn't help but envision something straight out of Grand Designs – a show I'm quite fond of myself. Managing such a project must have been incredibly stressful yet undeniably rewarding.
Charlie kept me updated on the progress every time he visited, and when he finally announced the completion and shared photos, I was blown away. Charlie, your home is absolutely stunning – you must be incredibly proud!
Now, you might be wondering where eyewear fits into all this.
Well, during one of Charlie's visits to select a new pair of glasses, he casually mentioned how our frames inspired the colour scheme of his staircase. I was intrigued, to say the least. Charlie showed me pictures of this grand staircase, a true centerpiece of his home. He wanted it to be more than just functional; he wanted it to be a statement piece, much like how eyewear should be viewed as an accessory rather than a necessity.
And here's where it gets even more exciting – Charlie had his builders colour match the paint to his fluorescent orange Theo frames! The result? A stunning staircase that highlights a feature often overlooked in homes. It was incredibly gratifying to see how eyewear from The Optical Gallery has inspired not just one's personal style but also influenced the design of their living space.
Well, during one of Charlie's visits to select a new pair of glasses, he casually mentioned how our frames inspired the colour scheme of his staircase. I was intrigued, to say the least. Charlie showed me pictures of this grand staircase, a true centerpiece of his home. He wanted it to be more than just functional; he wanted it to be a statement piece, much like how eyewear should be viewed as an accessory rather than a necessity.
And here's where it gets even more exciting – Charlie had his builders colour match the paint to his fluorescent orange Theo frames! The result? A stunning staircase that highlights a feature often overlooked in homes. It was incredibly gratifying to see how eyewear from The Optical Gallery has inspired not just one's personal style but also influenced the design of their living space.
Charlie, your staircase is undoubtedly the highlight of my year so far. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing us to be a part of your journey.
