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Me and my glasses

Considered design

Eyewear designer and owner of Caron Eyewear, Caron Kraitt, tells OT  about her style influences and launching during the pandemic

3 min read
Caron
Kimberley Young

Kimberley Young

31 January 2021

How many pairs of spectacles and sunglasses do you own?

Not including my stock, I would say between 15 and 20 pairs. But like everyone, my favourites change and evolve over time and with fashion.


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

As a designer of eyewear, I would tend to choose frames with a beautiful shape and structure. I am a fan of bright colours or, better still, bright hints or accents against a dark frame. This makes for a versatile piece, but with that oh-so important personality.

Can you describe your favourite pair?

Currently my favourite piece is ‘Stay Wild’ from the Caron Eyewear collection, in black with bright pink accents. This model is a gorgeous oversized rounded shape. It is beautifully light and feels like magic on your face.

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

Oliver Goldsmith is a super-cool, old-school dapper gent who knows exactly how to rock classic retro styling. Marilyn Monroe is another inspiration, with beautiful symmetry and colouring in her heart-shaped face, perfect in every way for eye wear. Another is Oprah Winfrey: she’s not afraid to wear brave and daring designs, but is always stylish and never garish.

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

I’ve worn spectacles since I was maybe five or six years old.

How important is eyewear to reflecting your personality?

Eyewear is the perfect accessory. It reflects your mood, it describes your style, it can be tailored to an occasion. Most importantly it is an accessory for your face. It surrounds your eyes, which are the focus of your interactions and communication with the world and other people. I have never understood the attitude of those who are willing to spend thousands on their wardrobe but neglect their eyewear. People wear a different outfit every day, so why not have different eyewear? A quality frame can set off an outfit and is the finishing touch to a stylish look.

Can you tell us about the launch of your eyewear brand?

Each piece in the collection exudes the trademark Caron Eyewear dynamic through a carefully crafted combination of high-grade materials and considered design.

I have over 20 years of experience in optical design and a background in optical dispensing, so my understanding of balance, proportion and fit ensures that everything I create is not just uniquely beautiful, but also wearable.

I felt that now was the time to bring my unique skills to my own brand, inspired by modern women who are not afraid to celebrate their natural femininity and beauty alongside their personal strength and independence.

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

1. Understand what shapes, proportions, and colouring work for your face
2. Ensure absolute comfort and a perfect fit
3. Choose a style that reflects your personality.

The impact of COVID-19

How has your business been impacted by COVID-19?

Given the strange and challenging times we’re experiencing, people have remarked how daring it is to launch a new eyewear brand into the current market. Launching in the middle of a pandemic could be seen as a gutsy move, but I think when people learn a little more about my brand, things begin to make a bit more sense.

The launch was delayed due to the pandemic and everything was pushed into late summer. But during that long period of initial lockdown, I used the time to introduce my brand directly and personally to the independent market and build awareness.

At the same time, the majority of independent opticians across the country were using the pause to re-examine their business models. Practices were thinking carefully and pragmatically about the services they were providing, and particularly the products they were offering.

From my standpoint, it became clear that the independent optical market was looking for something more than mainstream fast fashion. Many independent opticians, especially here in the UK, wanted to be able to offer their patients something fresh and ideally British, with a brand story that demonstrated an understanding and appreciation of quality optical design: a proper optical heritage.

So far, and we’re only a few months in, Caron Eyewear has proved to be a hit with opticians and patients alike, with all early adopters already placing re-orders.

As practices balance routine eye care in the changed environment, how will you be navigating the way ahead?

The most important aspect for me is the satisfaction of my customers. Moving into 2021, I want to provide the very best quality product, and the very best service and support that I can. The experience of the customer and of the wearer are utmost in my mind, and if that experience is exceptional, they’ll tell their friends.

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