The keyhole shape that lends itself to the naming of the classic keyhole bridge in eyewear is truly a thing of the past… BUT… the keyhole bridge is a mainstay of eyewear past, present and future. And it truly does look quite like… a keyhole.
This scripted ode to a keyhole bridge started with a simple conversation opener by master optician Barry Santini on Facebook. The comments drifted from detailed definitions to dismissive confusion as to the moniker. When I addressed Barry about it (acknowledging my devotion to the detail) he credited a chat he had about it with State/Europa creative director Nico Roseillier.
As correctly ascribed by Nico, the unique shape is an exacting design element that literally and figuratively lightens the structure of a frame’s bridge. I would add the geometry of the shape actually affords the bridge a built-in spring to the frame, benefitting proper placement on the face and a comforting but firm flexibility when properly crafted.
I feast on minutia such as this. It’s like a blender drink of style, design, art, history and trend setting gulped down in such a satisfying way. I’m equally satiated by the factoid that fellow fans of such details are part of this excellent equation of information at 20/20 and yes… IN 2020 via this very issue with an Upfront Inside the Frame story by Associate Editor Jillian Urcelay focusing on Roseillier and an L&T feature by Santini on leveraging the power and profitability of an in-office lab. So, think of this little aside on the keyhole bridge as a brilliant aside from two people who energize me near daily.
I’m hoping you might think of 20/20 as that spark igniting you. We’ve got the latest new styles coming at you for 2020. We’ve got the trends to open up chats with your customers. We’ve got the tech, the education, the marketing anecdotes to begin telling new stories and more than a few keyhole bridges sprinkled in should you decide to take a peek.
• James J. Spina
Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]
