“When I first saw the prototype, I knew that I needed to get this style”

How many pairs of spectacles and sunglasses do you own?

I own nine pairs of spectacles and 10 pairs of sunglasses.

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

I am in the fortunate position that, with my oval face, I can wear many different frame shapes. At the moment I like roundish and oversize shapes the most but I’m always up for fancy shapes. As for colours, I prefer gold, rose gold and brownish tints, which match my skin tone best.

Can you describe your favourite pair?

Currently my favourite pair is a Minamoto frame entirely made out of Japanese titanium. Even the nose pads and end tips are made of titanium. It features a panto shape and two colours: rose gold and silver. The brow line is decorated with a fine pattern, which makes it feel so special to me. On the end tips, you can find the embossed Minamoto kanji. I love when you can discover subtle details on a frame. I wear this with blue light blocker lenses as I stare at a screen all day long.

When I first saw the prototype, I knew that I needed to get this style – and luckily, it fit me. The frame, ‘Shino,’ matches basically every outfit. It’s not fancy but still very special with all its beautiful details, which is exactly what Minamoto stands for.

Julia’s favourite model is the ‘Shino’ frame from Minamoto’s launch collection, a titanium design with engravings on the upper rim.

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

I got my first spectacles back in kindergarten. I was around four years old when my doctor noticed during a test that I could not see perfectly well and referred me to an ophthalmologist. As a young teenager I was lucky not to need glasses, but when I was around 17 I had to get spectacles again.

Do you wear contact lenses?

No I don’t wear contact lenses; I once tried them and could not cope. I wear either my spectacles or nothing.

How important is eyewear in reflecting your personality?

To me eyewear is an accessory – like jewellery. It has to fit my outfit and underline my personal style.

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

1. First, it is important that the shape of the frame matches your face shape
2. The colour of the frame has to suit your skin tone
3. Last but not least, are the fit and comfort, respectively. Normally you wear your frame the whole day. You have to make sure that it sits comfortably on your face and you do not feel pressure anywhere. It also helps to choose a frame made from light materials to enhance the wearing comfort. That is why I love our titanium frames so much.

What was important to you in the development of Minamoto, and the brand’s first collection? What story did you want to tell as a brand?

Minamoto was born out of an idea to develop a genuinely Japanese brand for the European market. We wanted to bring the Japanese culture and heritage to consumers by going back to our own origin. That is what Minamoto means in Japanese: ‘the origin.’ From the marketing side, it was important to build a complete brand ‘universe’ and not just launch a few more frames. We wanted to move consumers emotionally with our brand story and we believe that this is what makes the difference.