Having spent upwards of £2,000 on a Savile Row suit, teamed it with a bespoke shirt, finest handmade shoes and exclusive cuff links, it seems hardly credible that the average man may then put on a pair of spectacles that come straight from the rack and which have little or no bearing on his features or style.
Spectacles have wallowed in the doldrums style-wise for many years now. Since the prevailing trend for tiny, narrow frames came in more than a score of years ago, an optician’s display of ‘designer’ frames has presented row upon row of glasses that appear almost identical.
This is all the more striking given the wonderful variety evident in sun glasses. Presumably, the economics of keeping prescription lenses at more or less the same 
meagre size, whatever the designer name, is what dictates this uniformity but it seems high time for a change.
Though not yet offering the extensive selection of shapes and sizes deemed OK for sun wear, a new optician on the Harley Street block is at least aiming to provide a bespoke service. Paul Yaxley is the optical equivalent of a Savile Row tailor, taking facial measurements, creating a map of the face, assessing individual style, and personal requirements, and seeing each customer on a one-to-one basis.
His collection of frames is made up of designs by leading names in the jewellery and accessory fields – Bulgari, Chopard, Fred, Korlff, Judith Leiber and Daniel Swarovski. Combining craftsmanship with the latest in free-form lens technology, these are spectacles to complement a Savile Row suit.
Ranging from a humble £200 to the top of the range in 18k gold encrusted with diamonds and rubies at £10,000, they bring a whole new dimension to the meaning of ‘designer’ glasses. Plans are afoot to team up with a number of Savile Row tailors. See www.luxuryeyewear.co.uk
