HERE’S CHRISTIAN ROTH WITH THE SECOND IN OUR EDCFDA SERIES OF “COMPLETED SENTENCES” OFFERING AN INTIMATE LOOK INTO THE WORLD THAT INSPIRES THE ARTISTS OF THE FRAME IN LIVES FILLED WITH INSIGHT AND CREATIVE ASPIRATIONS.

–JAMES J. SPINA


Christian Roth in NYC circa 1979. He explains: “I understand it’s a bit out of focus, but [I] like the feel of it. We didn’t take that many photos back then…”


I LOVE SAYING…
I’m a New Yorker at heart. I moved to the city as a young man in 1979, it was a very special time. My generation had the opportunity to bond with big-hearted creative visionaries and to ultimately fulfill a dream in the world of fashion.

MY HANDWRITING… even my high school teachers said it’s beautiful! It helps, I am very attached to writing personal notes, so I got to used it. And people are so kind to write me back.


IN MY POCKET RIGHT NOW I HAVE…
a gold medallion Eric offered me for my 40th. I am a bit superstitious, and this small love gold coin became one of my good luck talisman “+ qu’hier - que demain” (from French: “more than yesterday - less than tomorrow”).





I ONCE VISITED…
this market in 1987 on Union Square in Manhattan when we moved into our new headquarters on 5 Union Square West. In those days the contrast: a seedy place for elicit dealings at night versus fresh Bio food on the (called then: Green Market) Farmer’s Market in the morning was the quintessence to the beginning of the cultural transformation of Manhattan. And lucky for us, our favorite flower, peonies in the springtime.





I LOVE THE SCENT OF…
Monoi oil, made from the Tiare flowers of Polynesia. It always reminds me of the wonderful time I spent in Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia.



THE BEST PHOTO I EVER FRAMED WAS…
by Rico Puhlmann, the famous photographer I was assisting in New York from 1979 to 1983. It was part of my first compensation. I treasure this gelatin print (taken in 1960) which inspires me a lot. It pictures (the first super model) Suzy Parker chatting with (the legendary lensman) Richard Avedon. Richard had come over to Rico’s studio for a chat, and Rico always said “This was the time when fashion photographers were dapper, they showed up in a chic suit and tie.” And perfect spectacles.




MY MOTHER ONCE TOLD ME…
“I understand you are inspired to become a designer. Why eyewear?” It took time for her and many others to acknowledge that eyewear designers play a role in the creative world.