One thing at the get-go is very clear, and that is Luxury Eyewear is a vital part of the optical product scenario, and it is also likely one of eyewear’s most misunderstood segments. It’s often misunderstood by vendors and retailers who sell it, vendors and retailers who don’t sell it, and consumers in general whether they love it or loathe it (for an unlimited variety of reasons.)
Me? I play by my own rules, and that personal game plan was established well before I entered this Optisphere.
In my introduction to this month’s eyewear photo feature, I go deep assessing the high-end eyewear scenario based on our newly-coined 20/20 term Affirmable Luxury and cutting to the chase that definition is deeply sculpted by two factors: quality and the relationship of the eyewear to the eyewearer. Those dual considerations have been a constant for me when judging the luxurious factor in my attitude about truly great products.
It dates back to when I was 9, and my dad would scrutinize electric train catalogs with me before Christmas so I could properly inform Santa concerning the superiority of American Flyer trains to the more popular (and expensive) Lionel sets. He would even take me to the toy district in NYC where he’d quiz the 23rd Street hobby retailers about the details of construction, materials and scale accuracy of the various toy trains. Trust me… it was a total “luxury” experience.
Jump full forward and those who know me know I’m borderline obsessed with Pendleton (100 percent American wool) Board Shirts. Though not cheap they are certainly well under the pricing of many brands of similar category shirts. And none… NONE… compare to the look, fit, feel and quality of a Pendleton. Trust me… it is a total “luxury” experience.
Just those two examples of my personal extravagances are earned via affirmation, and that’s the luxury I’m hoping to instill in your lexicon of realization in this issue. And, by the way, I’m hoping you also consider the luxury we have here with 20/20 in being able to deliver a print issue every month (and twice in March and September!) reinforcing our brand and fueling our ongoing and growing digital resources available to you, our affirmed and cherished readers.
With this being the final issue of 2019, here’s hoping you celebrate your partnership with 20/20 as we all head toward… 2020!
• James J. Spina
Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]
