Choosing eyewear is always a personal experience. We may spend hours drooling over those vintage wayfarers, as we strive to find those reading glasses that provide the best fit, or eagerly anticipate the arrival of the latest Chanel shades we demanded as a birthday gift. It takes someone like eyewear expert Sanaz Saadat, the brainchild behind this new concept by the renowned Hassan’s Optics, to truly understand the personal experience behind purchasing, or affectionately caring for, a specific pair of eyewear. Inspired by the iconic accessory that is the simple pair of shades, she tells us how Eye Boutique is setting the standard in inimitable vision care and eyewear fashion in Kuwait and the region.

Tell us more about the Eye Boutique concept. How is it different from any other eyewear store in Kuwait?

Eye Boutique is a totally new concept in the eyewear business. It is not just about sunglasses or ophthalmic spectacles or contact lenses. It is a personalized and comprehensive approach to vision care and fashion. Our vision and philosophy is to always provide exemplary service combined with an outstanding variety of high quality products.

Have you always been a fan of the eyewear trend?

Yes. I consider eyewear to be the best fashion item to express our true personalities. Eyes are the first contact point between two people, so it is unlikely that any interesting eyepiece will go unrecognized. We usually encourage our customers to try on the weirdest pieces on display and it is amazing how some pieces just fit the face immediately and become a part of the character of its wearer. When it comes to following the trends in eyewear, we are a team of three people at Eye Boutique that constantly go through brands and the latest trends. We’re constantly updating one another, suggesting brands, checking out new brands and trends, then we decide which ones would suit the market best based on their shapes and prices.

What motivated you to develop this concept?

I have always had an appreciation for beauty and quality. During the years that I was involved in Hassan’s, I came across many unique brands and models that I really wanted to introduce to the region but at the time we didn’t have the appropriate space and environment for these collections.

My real passion for eyewear started, however, when I discovered the vintage treasures of eyewear that were in Hassan’s old stocks. Like any classic or vintage item, these pieces are of high quality and excellent materials and didn’t even change or rust after 40 years! Realizing a potential, and a market for items such as vintage shades, we started putting the business plan for the first Eye Boutique. We originally wanted to have a space to bring everything new and interesting to Kuwait and see how the market reacts to it. The feedback was surprisingly positive and we decided to expand the concept and open in the UAE and then again in Kuwait sooner than we originally had planned.

Describe a typical visit to the Eye Boutique, what should customers expect to find?

We are not running a retail business, we are managing a boutique. People come to visit us to see the new trends, get optical advice, look for what suits their needs, get their eyewear adjusted or repaired, or just learn about unique designers, while enjoying an indulgent cup of espresso.

Eye Boutique is the perfect place to find the right optical looks for the right moment. At the end of the day, nobody would spend a night at the opera in a pair of hiking boots, or go for a run in high heels! Our team is trained to help every customer find the right pair of eyewear based on their face shape, color, need, and budget.

At Eye Boutique, we have a vast variety of eyewear that are picked for their high quality, but we also believe that the most expensive or the most trendy pieces are not necessarily the best pair for our clients. We help customers find pieces that complement their features and match their personalities.

What are some styles that customers would never find at other eyewear stores?

Customers should expect to find many exclusive brands and crazy shapes, special collaborations with designers, as well as eyewear by young talents and even local talents. For us, it is essential to choose for you an up–to-date and appropriate piece! The Eye Boutique team travels around the world to pick a unique collection of eyewear for you each season, so expect to see pieces that you wouldn’t normally find anywhere else.

What are some of the latest trends available at Eye Boutique?

Right now, we have a lot of mirror effect glasses and a lot of round-shaped glasses… The mirror trend will continue throughout the winter, but with less colorful acetate frames.

What’s your future vision for Eye Boutique?

We would like to become a destination for anyone looking for new and unique eyewear. This is an ambition of ours that we are constantly working towards, providing the best in both services and products.

Eye Boutique is located at Mall 360 (2530 9513), The Mall at the Grand Avenue—The Avenues (2220 0618) and also at The Dubai Mall, Dubai. For more information, visit www.eyeboutiqueme.com or check them out on Twitter @EyeboutiqueME, Facebook: EyeBoutiqueME and Instagram, @Eyeboutique