Ever attuned to that unique breed of independent eyewear entrepreneurs wearing both retailer and vendor crowns, 20/20 was quickly enamored by Alicia Hartman and her dual-sun-fueled Peoples from Barbados venture. Born into a family eyewear heritage, Alicia sizzled her dispensing skills for nearly a decade via her EyeQ shop. Set on creating sunwear, she teamed up with French eyewear designer Eric Jean, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Barbados independence with her Peoples from Barbados collection in 2016. Crafted in Japan, she describes the eyewear as a blend of Bajan soul and Caribbean flair.
We could ramble on but it’s the photos of Alicia, her friends and her beloved Barbados telling a tale of inspirational eyewear and eye-wearers.
And here’s a final indication of kinship on a personal note: I initially came to know of this collection and Hartman via her nomination in last year’s OPTImum Awards at Expo East. The use of the term “Peoples” in the brand’s name clicked with me. In Queens, New York lingo my teens were dominated by that exact engaging plural when we’d huddle over something as profound as picking sides on a stickball matchup. “Listen Peoples… Here’s how we’re gonna do this!” So… Listen Peoples… here’s how Alicia does this.
– James J. Spina
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Alicia as photographed by Nigel Wallace in PFB style 03 C5 with HER trend setting: “The sunset tones of the acetate superbly blended. Coral and purple just whoah! The lens features bespoke gradient flash tints and a
surprise sunset in the back surface too! Glamorous elegance and the richness of a high-end colorful front.”
Alicia’s engaging daily flow of Instagrams is filled with intensely colorful still life photos such as this one featuring PFB style 02 C1 Bougainvillea
Here’s Alicia’s take on a day at work celebrating Independence Day: “Just another day at your friendly optician’s in Barbados—all wearing PFB suns.”
Here’s Alicia’s take on a card game celebrating Independence Day: “When your photographer is actually your dental surgeon Adrian Richards. Your models are law students and your stylist is just kicking it with the guys playing cards at Lexie’s. The guys in PFB MEN, classic square double bar aviators. Sherice in PFB style 02 C2, a unique diamond-shaped front in chocolate chip color. It features a screwless hinge design and minimalist stainless steel temples with matching end tips. Leesa in our PFB style 03 C1, an edgy round shape that’s high fashion. The PFB style Bajan ICON, an olive and tortoise lamination, superbly blended and beveled exquisitely. Look for the surprise!”
Charity portrait of Alison Hinds, Bajan Soca Queen, wearing PFB 03 C1, photographed by Jaryd Niles Morris
An Eye Q Vision2020 initiative: Kids from Leacocks primary school experienced free eye exams raising awareness of amblyopia
Color vision perception is an amazing and complex process involving the eye and the brain, and recently, researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) have decoded brain maps of human color perception. The brain uses light signals detected by the retina’s cone photoreceptors as the building blocks for color perception. Three types of cone photoreceptors detect light over a range of wavelengths. The brain mixes and categorizes these signals to perceive color in a process that is not well understood. However, a recent study opens a window into how color processing is organized in the brain, and how the brain recognizes and groups colors in the environment.
After weeks of review, a few COVID delays, and much fanfare, IOT is delighted to announce the three finalists for its Optical’s Next Top Speaker contest. Moving forward are candidates Minerva Maldonado, Kai Rands, and Wesley Scott. The three finalists were each selected by an industry speaker and mentor who will work with them to develop and hone final presentations.
