The Shop
We are a British company (established in 1978), owned and managed by an Optometrist, based in Covent Garden, London. The business was established in 1978 and in 1984 the company began manufacturing plastic frames. Initially outside contractors were used but in 1988 we set up our own spectacle manufacturing factory in London. We take a lot of pride in our work as each frame is meticulousl
y crafted by hand and every piece has an individual feel. Just like the ‘real mcoy’ we make our vintage reproduction frames & sunglasses using genuine rivet hinges & trims not mock pins & trims ‘stuck on’ on modern mass produced sunken joints. Choose a frame from our standard stock - select from hundreds of different styles, several sizes and in multitude of colours. Alternatively have one made in any style, colour or size. We are able to make a one off copy of any vintage frame. Alternatively, forward a photo you have, off the internet or a link, for example to Johnny Depp , John Lennon , Buddy Holly etc., - to quote for a reproduction hand made frame. Each piece handcrafted and will be unique. Many frames in our standard stock are based on eyewear designs of 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s & we also hold a vast vintage collection and are a major eyewear supplier to theatre, television & film production companies. Pince-nez, monocles & lorgnettes also stocked. Period settings supplied with the correct spectacles and sunglasses
The History
Over the last 20 years British spectacle frame manufacturing has 'died' and there are now just a few of us who might genuinely be able to stamp their finished products with 'Made in England'. There are historical reasons for the demise of British frame manufacturing. Post-war labour Government introduced the NHS frame range that was subsidised using taxes and nearly all manufaturers relied on these subsidies without having to compete in the international arena. These frames had no export market at the time. In the early 1980s, Mrs Thatcher's Conservative Government got rid of the NHS frame range and de-regulated the Opticians' trade. Later in the same decade designer eyewear from Europe entered the British market. The few surviving companies could not in any way take on Luxottica and 'Armani'. At the same time there came a huge worldwide downturn in acetate frames and this was the 'final nail in the coffin'. Anglo American Eyewear, Cambridge Optical and Paul Green Eyewear have long ceased as manufacturing enterprises. On the other hand, over the same period many very English sounding names have appeared on the display stands of nearly all our optical retailers. The same 'English' brands are also sold using PR and hype to unsuspecting Europeans, Japanese and the Americans giving the impression that the product has been made in England. Information
All this makes our manufacturing business more determined to face up to the challenge and this is particularly so in view of the the recent decline in spectacle making companies of France and Italy. As is the case of many other finished goods, China has taken over and is able to produce quality frames and sunglasses at very low costs. However, our interest in traditional eyewear design and manufacture, in addition to our experience in the art of making classic frames places us in a proud position to face the very fast changing world optical scene. Furthermore being a retailer helps our manufacturing side as we know what the eyewear wearer is demanding. Apart from what we carry as vintage eyewear that comprises of all the usual big brands; on the retail side, other than our own manufactured eyewear we also stock European spectacle frames and sunglasses that have mainly been produced by small family owned design and manufacturing companies based in France, Italy and Germany. Most of these companies have been known to us for 25 years or so and their endurance is proof small is beautiful. Please do visit the shop as we believe you can only know what suits you by trying it on in person. The contact details are listed. For any web enquiries use the contact form on the website or even leave us a post here. For more information and to view a selection of our frames, please visit our website. http://www.operaopera.net
Thank you
