And among these bits and pieces are a few optical stores tucked in between a row of clustered buildings, some of which date back to the 1970s. [break]
What makes these stores worth a visit is their assortment of classic shades and frames.
Before Ray Ban Wayfarers made a comeback in 2006 and hit every other store in the capital, the vintage frames were gathering dust in the shelves of such optical stores.
Settled in a basement of one of the buildings in New Road (Naya Sadak), New Optic Nerve is one such stop, where almost every shelf is decked with classic frames or sunglasses.
Dusting off two-and-half-decade old Christian Dior sunglasses to display, owner Kanchan Man Tuladhar informs that he started the store some 40 years ago. His optometrist certificate hangs on the store’s door along with a black and white photo which has young Tuladhar and a few of his friends donning different versions of retro frames. The photo is an example of how fashion is cyclical.
While we have seen square framed and Wayfarers look-alike shades abundant in the streets, circular rims are yet to catch the craze. And New Optic Nerve has a bunch of circular frames and glasses. In the current shade scene, dominated by thick squared rimmed sunglasses, opting for circular shades helps one break away from the mass.
And taking cues from vintage designs, big sunglass companies like Salvatore Ferragamo and Paul Smith have launched new collections of round-shaped shades.
Apart from having a classic touch, there are a few characteristics that separate retro from the new set of designs. Most of the retro available in the local market are metal armed with beautiful minimalistic details on them. And Actuell Couture vintage frames, psychedelic frames that John Lennon sported, Palomo Picasso are some of the designs that have these characteristic, which make up Manandhar’s assortment.
“Classic shades have resurrected into fashion,” surmises Raj Kumar Shrestha of Lenscraft in New Road. For instance, Ray Ban Wayfarers or brow-lined club masters. Shrestha who has been in optical business for the past 15 years adds, “But it isn’t the old collection that people are buying. Usually, people come searching for new shades, which very few of them know are inspired by old designs.”
Though the new set of shades dominates Lenscraft’s shelves, the store has a few pieces of retro as well. Of all the pieces, Aviator shooter with curved arm, Ray Ban classic round frames are some pieces to look out for.
Showing the tiny letters “BL” printed on the right hand side of Ray ban Clubmasters Shrestha shares, “Ray Bans with “BL” written on them are rare these days. They were made before 2000.” According to Shrestha, after 2000, Luxottica Company started manufacturing Ray Ban and the letters “BL” has been taken over by “RB”. These version of Ray Bans are strong, informs Shrestha.
I’s Optic Center, next to Pashupati Plaza, is the other store that has its own set of classic collection. The twenty-year-old store’s range mainly comprises of oversized shades. Rarity on the streets of Kathmandu, the store also has Cat Eye sunglasses.
Besides New Road, a couple of such stores are lined up around Baagbazar, Tripureshwar and Jamal. Opto Lens, in the lane of Bishwa Jyoti Hall, has a handful of shades dating back to the 90s.
Next time when you shop around for shades, roll your eyes over the shelves, you might surprise yourself.
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