Optical Prism September 2016 | Page 41

“People use luxury brands as a personal style expression. Brands tell others that you have exquisite taste and appreciate best quality,” says Linda Mulford-Hum, director of product development at Toronto-based Centennial Optical. “A trusted name can give the consumer the confidence and look they're going for.” And, while luxury frames are usually a more affordable way to own a designer piece than, for example, a handbag or runway-worthy gown, they are also a more justifiable splurge, she says. “Two things people notice the most when you change: your hair style and your glasses,” she says. Luxury eyewear is “something you wear every day, has a practical function and is an on-your-face fashion statement.” LUXURY EYEWEAR IS “SOMETHING YOU WEAR EVERY DAY, HAS A PRACTICAL FUNCTION AND IS AN ON-YOUR-FACE FASHION STATEMENT.” Centennial Optical, a Canadian producer and distributor of frames, lenses and sunglasses, has several high-fashion brands in its portfolio, such as Jones New York, Vera Wang, Nicole Miller and Hackett London. Centennial's Christian Lacroix collection features luxury frames created with “unique-to-brand Mazzuchelli handmade plastics.” “You won’t find these plastics in any other collection and I feel that is what sets luxury frames apart for the consumer – unique-to-brand styling details, exclusive materials and tasteful logo treatments are all part of the package,” she says. Optical Prism | September 2016 41