Eyewear that creates conversation

How many pairs of spectacles and sunglasses do you own?

I’m very fortunate to have a variety of frames to choose from, but at the moment I have three pairs. A pair of glasses is an important part of any outfit, so what works for daytime wear may not be right for an evening out or on holiday. I’ve also got several pairs of sunglasses to suit whatever mood I’m in.

Can you describe your favourite pair?

My current favourite frames are from our new range. They are the ‘A004’ from the Alpha Collection in light teal (pictured below) and rose gold. Made from Japanese titanium, they are lightweight and the bright colour is just what you need in the winter months.

What frame shapes, colours or styles do you usually go for?

Personally, I find that oval or circular frames suit me most, but I’m always trying out our new frames and sometimes you are surprised by what suits you. One of the most important things about eyewear is to try them on and, when possible, go with someone whose opinion you trust. It can be quite difficult, particularly if you are choosing a single pair that you’ll be wearing for a good period of time.

Who would you pick as your style icon of glasses wearers and why?

In terms of glasses, Iris Apfel because her frames are amazing and are so iconic. Audrey Hepburn and those over-sized sunglasses from Breakfast at Tiffany’s are always going to be a classic. With the Instagram generation, people are always looking to change up their look, so glasses feature more and more in people’s wardrobes, which is great. If you scroll through almost any celebrity profile, you’ll see them in glasses.

How long have you worn spectacles for, and what prompted you to go for your first sight test?

I’ve been wearing glasses since I started driving. I noticed that reading road signs wasn’t as easy as it should have been. You’ve always got to be careful. On that note, I’ve always gone for regular eye checks.

Do you wear contact lenses?

I do wear contact lenses for sport, particularly any strenuous or active ones. It is safer, and then you don’t need to worry about losing or breaking your favourite frames.

It’s important to remember some of these trends are so far out there, almost pieces of art, and they won’t fit the look of our main market

Is there a particular Wolf Eyewear frame, old or new, that is a personal favourite and why?

I really like our new Alpha Collection, in particular the ones I’m wearing at the moment as they are so lightweight and fit so nicely, and, of course, they are stylish.

What do you consider when designing eyewear?

Like all manufacturers you are always looking at the latest trends, colours and styles. It’s important to remember some of these trends are so far out there, almost pieces of art, and they won’t fit the look of our main market.

What are your top tips for choosing the right pair of frames?

There are some well-known factors for choosing the right pair of frames for you: face shape, colours that match your skin tone and your lifestyle, plus it’s important to pick frames that fit your personality. Ask yourself, ‘do I want my glasses to stand out and have people see them?’ – the nice thing about this is that it leads to new conversations. That said, as with all things, try on many different frames because sometimes you can be surprised.

What is the key ingredient to great eyewear design?

You have to ask yourself, ‘would I or my family wear them?’ It’s great coming out with a variety of different frames but they must suit a variety of people. Colour and comfort are also key factors. As a spectacle-wearing family business, we have plenty of opinions and we all have our favourites that we love.