Keeping your Practice
Unique and Fun
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James 4 by Theo Eyewear
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CELL - Y by Parasite Eyewear |
As I strolled into Distinctive
Eyewear, on a recent visit to Myrtle Beach,
I was unsure if I was entering an art gallery or an optical boutique.
Colors, shapes, dimensions and more colors lured me through the door and on towards the frame board.
“I’m a professional, not a patient,” I reminded myself as the outrageous frames beckoned me. Encouraged by the friendly optician, I eagerly started trying frames on. I was amazed at all the avant-garde designs, of which I couldn’t resist. I actually tried on one frame that looked like emerging peacock feathers. Do patients actually want to look like peacocks? I certainly did not, but I had so much fun trying on frames that I forgot I was on a business call. If these frames could get me (with my 20/20 vision) to their boards, imagine what they can do for actual patients who need glasses?
Not every ECP can devote all their precious board space to these outrageous frames. Still, I thought, how intriguing it would be if they had just a few items of distinction speckling their boards. Patients would actually be having fun while picking out their frames. And who knows, they might be looking for that innovative and funky frame amidst the mainstream lines.
If you are finally ready to purchase some frames for the New Year, why not add something bold if not outrageous and make your office an exciting place to visit. Be the talk of the town and draw “people,” not just “patients” in. A busy office brings more business. Patients want something new and you need to be ready to bring it to them. Of course, you want to keep the frames that sold so well for you in the past, but why not take a chance in 2012?
Your patients may have partied like animals on New Year’s Eve, but you can keep the party going. Why not create a zoo in your optical with some crazy animal frames? For a more conservative office, make sure you have some frames with zebra or leopard print temples. This adds just the right amount of flair for traditional shapes. If you really want to take a chance, try some animal-inspired styles. Here are some companies to watch for:
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Pussy Galore makes frames for women wanting to feel outrageous and
sensual at the same time. The Canadian collection inspired from the 1950’s and 1960’s has the most creative and daring cat shapes in wild colors as well as traditional blacks. These frames are for the James Bond glamour girl in every woman.
www.spec-eyeworks.com
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Boz Eyewear focuses on the strong and feminine woman. These designs are inspired by plants and animals. The temple pieces are intricate, using ornate flowers and flowing metal feathers. Can you imagine your patients faces when they see your new “peacock inspired” frames that I mentioned earlier? They are offered in a variety of colors straight out of the Far East.
www.boz-eyewear.fr
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Though it is 2012, some of your patients may be looking further into the future. Some frames offer futuristic styles that are from another dimension. Why not fast-forward your optical?
Parasite Eyewear creates living products inspired by the world we live in, which is loaded with technology and vitality. The French-manufactured frames are intricate and innovative and offer comic book looks to bring out the hero or villain in everyone. They will not only help correct your patients’ vision but they are also pieces for discussion.
www.parasite-design.com
If you are looking for a simple future, try ic! berlin. Their eyewear sans screws may be the way of the future. These handcrafted, German-made frames use hand-cut stainless steel materials that feature a patented hinge-clasp system, elevating fashion and technology. The lens shapes are innovative enough to fit many styles.
www.ic-berlin.com
Cheers to art and innovation. You probably have some type of art hanging in your office. How about some art on your frame boards? Here are two companies that design their frames to stand out and be seen. These frames are the exact opposite of neutral, trying to keep you away from the typical brown and black frames.
Theo eyewear from Belgium uses matte and zyl styles to create unique frames for unique people. The provocative company takes eyewear design to art form, delivering expression and idealism. The company uses pure titanium and acetate materials to create avant-garde designs. The colors range from soft matte blacks to bright orange and purple and everything you can imagine in between, using shapes you can only dream of.
www.theo.be
Alain Mikli creates individual, highly dramatic frames. For anyone who wants an exclusive piece of art, the company makes exclusive
one of a kind frames. Using materials such as cotton and wood, each piece is created to be different. The French manufacturer also has exclusive colors and styles fashion icons such as Bono, Meryl Steep and Kanye West. His frames are known as aesthetic, functional, creative and technically advanced, turning a visual aid into a sought-out fashion accessory.
www.mikli.com
In reality, you may not want to make the investment to add one of these dramatic, complete lines to your office. If this is not financially possible, look at some of your mainstream designers. Your reps may only be showing you their popular, best sellers for quicker sales. If adding an entirely new, attention getting line is not feasible for your office, ask if they have some off the wall styles they have not shown you. Each line should have some crazy frames and it won’t hurt you to add a few for novelty.
Remember, no change is permanent. Ask for the return policy for any new line in case the frames don’t sell. A daring new line can be an adventure but you don’t want to be stuck if your patients don’t share your excitement. Spice up your boards for 2012 and bring some fun into your office.
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