Richard Walker & Mortimer Hirst

Mortimer Hirst is pleased to welcome Richard Walker to the team.

Richard brings a wealth of experience to Mortimer Hirst having worked in the optical industry for the past 30 years, in England and New Zealand. Richard has a background as a senior optical laboratory technician and contact lens teaching and eyewear selection.

Richard is a life time member of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (UK) incorporated in 1629 and is a qualified optical technician (SMC).

Richard is based at the High Street practice.

theo loves you!

What began as a memo... on an order form has developed into the slogan for the most headstrong Belgian brand of spectacles: 'theo loves you'. To this very day the motto connects everything theo does, every decision, every collection. It was the love for their clients that made Wim Somers and Patrick Hoet, opticians with their own store, decide to design and present a collection under the name of theo. Why? Well, simple: because they wanted to offer their clients something other than the mainstream glasses that were selling at the time. So, in 1989, the first theo glasses became a fact. And they were groundbreaking.

Originally theo only addressed the avant-garde. Later however, the glasses began to appeal to a wider audience. But theo always had a soft spot for the individualist. So in order to generate interest among trendsetters again, 'Eye-witness' was launched in May 1995. These spectacles were apparently unfinished and asymmetrical. Eye-witness wearers are often men and women who are kindred spirits. The Eye-witness line still exists today and every year new models are launched.

Photo: Infamous Duo Styling: Rachael Churchward Hair: Jannine Jones Make-up: Kiki Stanners Model: Emma Kate Boyd at Clyne. Courtesy of Black Magazine

In 2004, theo announced its co-operation with the German-Belgian designer Christoph Broich. This cross-pollination between fashion and eyewear proved a hit. The sunglasses Broich and theo were recognisable by the safety pin in the spring. Four years later, theo started collaborating with Belgian designer Tim Van Steenbergen on its new collection of sunglasses. The two Antwerp labels joined forces and have since been producing spectacles that radiate glamour and sophistication. In 2012, theo & Tim presented their forth collection together. And they are working hard on the next one.

To celebrate its 20th birthday, theo presented the ‘VinGtage’ collection at Mido 2007. theo is famous for its small glasses, of course, making this 'Vingtage' collection (vingt ans d'age! = 20 years in French - one of Belgium's official languages) quite a departure. The focus has definitely shifted from the eyes to the face. Yet these glasses are in no way similar to what people wore some forty years ago - these are spectacles for the present times, and indeed spectacular.

theo like to be unpredictable. For a new optical collection in 2010, theo started working with James Van Vossel, a creative spirit who was given carte blanche, resulting in a series with no equivalent. More models to come!

And so, theo keeps on surprising!

theo loves you!

Photo: Infamous Duo Styling: Rachael Churchward Hair: Jannine Jones Make-up: Kiki Stanners Model: Emma Kate Boyd at Clyne. Courtesy of Black Magazine.

Mortimer Hirst is the exclusive Auckland stockist and carries the largest collection of theo eyewear in New Zealand. For further information on theo, please visit the Mortimer Hirst web site: http://mortimerhirst.co.nz/Content/BrandPage.aspx?BrandID=9  

Persol Eyewear

Persol was established in a small courtyard in Via Caboto, Northern Italy in 1917 by Guiseppe Ratti photographer and owner of Berry Opticians. Guiseppe began to make technically advanced eyewear designed to satisfy the demands of pilots and sports drivers who required comfort, protection and optimum vision.

The name Persol is derived from "per il sole," which, in Italian, means "for the sun." Its trademark is the silver arrow (often referred to as the "Supreme Arrow"). The silver arrow Persol’s unmistakable symbol, a hinge decorated with an arrow on the stem, is inspired by the swords of ancient warriors.

The late 1930’s saw the introduction of the Meflecto system, the world’s first flexible stem that is still today a distinctive feature of the Persol brand. The stem’s flexibility derives from the introduction of nylon or metal cylinders intersected by a stainless steel core providing absolute comfort and adaptability to any face.

Persol became a favorite with many celebrities, most notable was Steve McQueen, the “King of Cool”. Steve McQueen wore Persol sunglasses in The Thomas Crown Affair, they have been among the most iconic sunglasses ever since.

The video below is an insight into The Magnificent Obsession of Hand making Persol:

Persol - Made by Hand from Luca "Wo" Siano on Vimeo.

For further information on Persol visit the Mortimer Hirst web site:

http://mortimerhirst.co.nz/Content/BrandPage.aspx?BrandID=21

Fashion Show Fundraiser for the Melanoma Foundation

Mortimer Hirst was proud to be a major sponsor again for the Fundraiser Fashion Show supporting the Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand. Below are more images from the recent Fundraiser Fashion Show supporting the Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand. The show featured clothing from  Elizabeth Jane Boutique, shoes from Minx and eyewear from Mortimer Hirst.

The Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand is a registered charitable trust devoted to issues relating to melanoma. It’s mission is to prevent avoidable deaths from melanoma and alleviate anxiety among those affected by it.

Mortimer Hirst is proud to be a part of this wonderful event to raise funds and awareness regarding Melanoma in New Zealand. For further information about Melanoma New Zealand please visit their web site http://www.melanoma.org.nz/

Ic!Berlin Eyewear

ic! berlin designs and produces screwless glasses and sunglasses in its own Produktion Haus in the heart of Berlin. 100% Made in Germany. ic! berlin is a child of the new Berlin entrepreneurial revolution, a thriving creative metropolis fuelling innovation and ideas. ic! berlin produces glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses and sports glasses for kids, women, men, and everyone in between. Each and every ic! berlin frame features a one-of-a-kind patented screwless hinge system, which combined with high quality materials such as sprung stainless steel, makes ic! berlin eyewear virtually indestructible. ic! berlin eyewear is designed with passion, produced with technical precision and handcrafted with love.

Colourful, vibrant, shimmering…Just like a rainbow. Nearly too good to be true; just like their frames. This time, they have coated them: no varnish. They shine in exciting colours created through simple light refraction.

Thanks to their electric PVD coating the stainless steel now sparkles in brilliant colours. It’s not a paint-job: they vacuum deposit an extra thin layer of crystals directly into the surface of the metal that reflects light in certain wavelengths. Like a rainbow. Just as beautiful, only permanent! The layer is ten times thinner than a human hair and doesn’t tarnish or scratch, making the world-famous ic! berlin hinge even smoother and more resistant to wear.

Eyewear models shine in 17 different PVD coated colors, such as: electric violet, electric light blue, electric turquoise and electric magenta.

electric! PVD coating from ic! berlin on Vimeo.

Technical background:

Below is five questions to Thomas Bochmann, technical director / ic! berlin Production and Innovation department about the new PVD coating.

What is PVD coating?
PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition and is a vacuum-based coating process, used specifically in the manufacturing of heavy machinery as well as for parts exposed to heavy wear such as drills and milling cutters.

Why use PVD coating for glasses?
PVD coating is perfect for our frames, since the patented ic! berlin hinge has bigger contact and sliding surfaces than common hinges with screws. The hard and friction- reducing PVD coating can be applied in a perfectly even coating of only a thousandth of millimeter thin and makes the hinge therefore easy to manipulate as well as wear resistant.

What’s the innovation about?
From the technical point of view, it wasn’t possible, until now, to coat stainless steel in such a way as to obtain really vibrant colours. In collaboration with one of our suppliers, the ic! berlin electric! innovation department has developed this new coating technique that enables metal coating in nearly all the colors of the known spectrum, just like a rainbow.

How are those new colors created?
In the same way a prism breaks the light in individual light waves and thus reflecting the different colours of the rainbow, the smallest crystal parts refract and reflect the light – depending on the nanometric layer construction– in one specific wave length.

What was the biggest challenge?
The development of PVD colour coating was a complex process, because the crystal layers have to be applied perfectly evenly over the whole surface, otherwise the reflecting light waves change specific colour tones and those colour tones could be partially perceived differently as originally intended.

Oliver Goldsmith Vintage Collection

Oliver Goldsmith has been a family run business since 1926. Goldsmith aimed to cater to the higher end of the optical market and hired a group of crafts people who were able to make real tortoise shell spectacles from hand. After the Second World War, Oliver Goldsmith expanded the collection from tortoiseshell frames to acetate in order to create more experimental styles. With the aim of attaining greater publicity, the company offered more deliberately stylish and occasionally outlandish frame designs and courted celebrities such as Michael Caine, Peter Sellers, Diana Dors, Nancy Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn to name but a few. Royalty were also clients including Princess Grace of Monaco, the Duke of Windsor, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana of Wales.

Over the next several decades, Oliver Goldsmith led the evolution of eyewear from a medical necessity to a fashion accessory. From the mid 20th century eyewear became increasingly important as more and more people chose to wear spectacles, a trend which Oliver Goldsmith actively pursued. in the early 2000's, their 1960's and 1970's styles became fashionable again, driven by the enthusiasm for so-called 'vintage' fashions. The Original and Genuine Oliver Goldsmith Retro Spectacles are re produced from samples that have been archived from the past, so that all the features and finish have been incorporated into the collection that is now being offered in the 21st century. Oliver Goldsmith's reputation for Q E C (quality, excellence and comfort) stands behind every frame that is now handmade in Japan.

http://vimeo.com/77052456#at=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abOYhjIl3Dg#t=82

Mortimer Hirst is the exclusive New Zealand stockist of the Original and Genuine Oliver Goldsmith Vintage Eyewear Collection, hand made in Japan with 10 carat gold hinges. For further information about the Oliver Goldsmith collection please visit the Mortimer Hirst website: http://mortimerhirst.co.nz/Content/BrandPage.aspx?BrandID=14

Mortimer Hirst and Adrienne Winkelmann

Mortimer Hirst works closely with film, theatre, fashion shows, stylists, costume designers, magazines, catalogues and fashion designers; providing eyewear along with advice, styling and fitting if required.

Mortimer Hirst is proud to supply the eyewear for Adrienne Winkelmann’s catalogues, the attached images are from stunning Summer 2015 catalogue. The eyewear showcased are handpicked from the Barton Perreira, Dita, Oliver Peoples and Alain Mikli collections at Mortimer Hirst.

 

To view the entire Summer 2015 catalogue please visit www.adriennewinkelmann.com

Ray Ban Sunglass Collection

Ray Ban needs little introduction, a truly iconic sunglass brand founded in 1937 by Bausch & Lomb. Best known for their Wayfarer and Aviator styles of sunglasses.

The latest collection has just arrived, over 60 pieces of original classics with a number of lens option such as full tint, graduated tint, brown, grey, green, polarized and the iconic, original G-15. In stock now.

For further information about the Ray Ban collection please visit the Mortimer Hirst web site: http://mortimerhirst.co.nz/Content/BrandPage.aspx?BrandID=25

Essilor Amera Convention and World Sight Day 2014

While at the Essilor Amera convention in Dubai, Mortimer Hirst business partners Alex and Naomi Bicheno showed their support for issues around the impact of vision care with the Essilor Vision Foundation.

Thanks to everyone’s support, more than 1500 children were screened in a campaign sponsored by the Essilor Vision Foundation and coordinated by Essilor SIVO in southern Tunisia: 500 children received eyeglasses and 2 children were referred for cataract surgery.

>Click here to download a short video of the Tunisia vision care event

​Essilor used images taken in Dubai and Tunisia to create a video to raise awareness on the importance of healthy vision in the run up to World Sight Day on October 9. The video is part of a digital campaign that launched on the 9^th September and that will end on World Sight Day.

>Click here to watch the video and to support the #bettersightbetterlife campaign

Please join us in communicating on the importance of vision care by sharing the campaign link above with as many people as possible.

Montblanc Eyewear

Montblanc has always been renowned as a leader in the manufacture of fine quality, sophisticated writing instruments, which have decreed the constantly increasing success of this Hamburg-based company.

In recent years, Montblanc has expanded its product range to include fine leather goods, jewellery, watches, fragrances and eyewear. In keeping with the upcoming seasonal trends, Montblanc presents a collection of eyewear, available now at Mortimer Hirst.

Discover the collection of classic and contemporary acetate and metal shapes that blend creativity, technique and craftsmanship with Montblanc’s unmistakable style. All eyewear are skilfully crafted in Italy using the best materials and passion for timeless quality.

The acetate and metal eyewear feature unique designs that offer distinguished contemporary accents while staying true to Montblanc’s emblematic style and originality.

In true form of craftsmanship, Montblanc has released acetate models specifically designed and manufactured to fit Asian facial requirements. Mortimer Hirst is the exclusive New Zealand stockist of the Montblanc buffalo horn rimless eyewear, a luxurious piece of eyewear.

Montblanc’s latest eyewear collection is available now at Mortimer Hirst.

Optometrist Varny Ganesalingam Commences Master of Health Science

Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist Varny Ganesalingam has commenced a Master of Health Science (MHSc), joining the Department of Ophthalmology as a Masters Student.

This will be Varny’s third degree, Varny spent three years at the University of Otago completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science majoring in Anatomy and Biochemistry. Varny then obtained direct entry into the University of Auckland Bachelor of Optometry programme and spent a further four years completing her second degree, graduating with Honors.

Whilst practicing at Mortimer Hirst Varny has come to learn the harsh impact ocular disease can have on an individual’s lifestyle, independence, their ability to work and take care of others. She said this was the motivation behind undertaking her third degree, a Master of Health Science (MHSc)

Varny says the most satisfying aspect of her position at Mortimer Hirst is finding real solutions for her patients’ vision problems, whether it is in the form of spectacle correction, a custom contact lens, a therapeutic prescription, or advice on nutrition and regimes for day-to-day ocular health and hygiene. The flip side is of course experiencing the distress caused by conditions which are not as straight forward to fix, those that can be chronic or episodic which will often hinder the ability to comfortably perform daily tasks and meet the visual demands of life in this day and age.

One issue that has often phased Varny and her patients is the impact of dry eye and associated ocular surface inflammation. Research into the field of dry eye disease is of particular interest to Varny as it will have a very practical implication to the existing clinical approach.

Varny will be working under the supervision of Associate Professor Jennifer Craig where she will be continuing on with the investigation into a novel lid hygiene preparation which has the potential to limit ocular surface inflammation. The research will involve measuring the presence of inflammatory markers via quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) from ocular surface samples obtained by impression cytology.

Varny will be working a half day a week for the next two years in the Ophthalmology Department’s research laboratory conducting the study.

To read more about Varny please visit her professional website:  www.varnyganesalingam.co.nz

Mortimer Hirst Display Cases

If you have more than one pair of eyewear and or sunglasses, the Mortimer Hirst four piece collection case maybe for you. An ideal way to store your precious eyewear and sunglasses at home, work or whilst traveling.

These beautifully presented cases are available now at both the High St and St Heliers practices. 

Mortimer Hirst Websites

Mortimer Hirst has a number of professional web sites, we thought we would use this opportunity to share / remind you of them all as listed below:

The Official Mortimer Hirst web site: www.mortimerhirst.co.nz

The Official Mortimer Hirst OrthoK web site, OrthoK is also referred to as :Myopia Control, Orthokeratology, Corneal Refractive Therapy and O.K: www.orthok.co.nz

Optometrist, Contact Lens Specialist and Business Partner Grant Watters professional web site: www.grantwatters.co.nz

Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist Varny Ganesalingam professional web site: www.varnyganesalingam.co.nz

Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist Kerry Atkinson professional web site: www.kerryatkinson.co.nz

Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist Alan Saks professional web site: www.alansaks.co.nz

And finally coming soon is our new web site dedicated to Keratoconus, Mortimer Hirst has specialised in Keratoconus since its inception. This is continued today with our industry leading Optometrists and Contact Lens Specialists: www.mykeratoconus.co.nz

Mortimer Hirst Sponsors Fashion Show

Mortimer Hirst is proud to be a major sponsor again for the Fundraiser Fashion Show supporting the Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand.

Presented by Elizabeth Jane Boutique of St Heliers, Mortimer Hirst provides gift vouchers for the Goodie Bag’s, a major prize for the raffle, and the eyewear and sunglasses for the fashion show.

Last year’s inaugural Fashion Show proved to be hugely popular with tickets to the event sold out in days and over 200 people attending. This year it is being held in Newmarket with an expected attendance of 300. We will bring you pictures from the event.

Optometrist Varny Ganesalingam Presents at Snowvision Conference 2014

Mortimer Hirst Optometrist and Contact Lens Specialist Varny Ganesalingam www.varnyganesalingam.co.nz recently presented at the Snowvision Down Under Conference in Queenstown. Varny was awarded a Snowvision Trust Scholarship spending a month working at the State University of New York College of Optometry. This is a highly regarded training facility and is known for its diverse specialist clinics. Situated just two blocks from Time Square the clinic services a melting pot of communities and cultures that call New York City home. Varny's presentation gave an insight into some of the rare ocular conditions managed at this specialist facility including cases of Retinitis pigmentosa, Juvenile X-linked retinoschisis, Achromatopsia and LENZ microphthalmia syndrome. 

Dress for Success Charity Evening

Mortimer Hirst was delighted to join other St Heliers Village Businesses in supporting the recent “Make Over” evening in support of the wonderful charity “Dress for Success”. An experienced stylist from Signature Style provided valuable information on shape, style, colour and how to avoid costly shopping mistakes. Mortimer Hirst attended and show cased the latest collections of eyewear and sunglasses from Europe and L.A such as Theo, Lindberg, Tom Ford, Anne & Valentin and Oliver Peoples. Congratulations to the two winners of a $250.00 Mortimer Hirst gift voucher.

The event was created by a small group of passionate St Heliers Bay residents whom love and support the local Village Community. As well as showcasing some local businesses the event was more importantly created to help less fortunate people than ourselves, the charity “Dress for Success”.

Dress for Success promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help our clients find jobs and remain employed. For further information about the not-for-profit charity Dress for Success please visit their web site www.dressforsuccess.org

The Oliver Peoples Vintage Collection

From Oliver Peoples Founder and Creative Director, Larry Leight:

Encouraged by numerous requests from friends, family and long-time loyal customers, I was inspired to explore my personal archive of original Oliver Peoples designs. After losing myself in a time machine of memories, I rediscovered several iconic, brand-defining styles with original vintage-tinted glass lenses in rare shades.

Among these treasures were some of my favourites, including the OP-505, with filigreed antique metal temple detailing and the first style introduced in the Oliver Peoples 1986 debut collection and one of the first optical frames available with a clip-on sunglass option. Others were the OP-1955, a unique style recognized for its contrasting tortoise shell colors, and the O’Malley, named after LA Dodgers manager, Peter O’Malley, which is one of the most recognizable frames in Oliver Peoples’ history.

Convinced that interest in these classic styles is just as strong today as it was over twenty years ago, I wanted to make some available for some our select customers. Since very few pieces original pieces exist, and because it is essential that the same attention to detail, craftsmanship and the integrity of the original styles be retained, I reached out to the same Japanese factory to reproduce a limited quantity.

It was important to me that we visually re-introduce these brand-defining styles in a fitting and appropriate environment. Dragon Books, where we shot these images, offers a sophisticated, intellectual setting in which quality eyewear is almost expected among rare 1st Edition literary treasures. The hilltop Bel Air gallery embodies a discoverable quality synonymous with the Oliver Peoples brand and seemed the perfect location to showcase my favourite original styles: O’Malley, 1955 and OP 505.

With the acquisition of the original vintage archive and our ability to recreate the essence of each unique frame, we tapped into something no other eyewear designer had: timeless shapes, high quality, and function in beautiful styles and classic colors. While everyone else was focused on futuristic, experimental designs, Oliver Peoples moved in a more vintage, retro-inspired direction. Other designers in the industry followed. Today we strive to craft innovative styles for progressive individuals who set the trends worldwide.

For further information about the Oliver Peoples collection please visit the Mortimer Hirst web site: http://mortimerhirst.co.nz/Content/BrandPage.aspx?BrandID=8

Côte&Ciel Eyewear Pouches

A collaboration between Côte&Ciel and Mykita brings these fantastic, colourful eyewear pouches. They are made from Côte&Ciel’s signature diamond grip mesh neoprene. Durable and sleek they are a practical solution to keep your eyewear protected.

The inverted zip and safety lip prevents scratching the eyewear and an ingenious, integrated microfibre cleaning cloth allows you to keep your eyewear smudge- free.

In stock now at both the High St and St Heliers practices in a range of wonderful colours!

Mortimer Hirst is on "The It List"

Mortimer Hirst featuring for a second time in “The It List” brought to you by Air New Zealand. This video clip presents the St Heliers village practice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_en6RFMwdU

For further information on Mortimer Hirst please visit www.mortimerhirst.co.nz

Lindberg Buffalo Horn

The latest LINDBERG Horn eyewear is available now at Mortimer Hirst. Mortimer Hirst is Auckland’s exclusive stockist and one of only two stockists in New Zealand.

LINDBERG Horn is a unique, handcrafted combination of exclusive water buffalo horn and titanium.

LINDBERG believe this exclusive design, coupled with the unique combinations of Horn material and futuristic titanium creates a cool and modern style with an underlying sense of old-school luxury.

Horn is a natural product with fantastic inherent properties; it is attractive, extremely light and hypo-allergenic.

As Horn is one of nature’s products, individual nuances in colouration and pattern mean that each pair of glasses is always one of a kind. A pair of LINDBERG Horn eyewear is your own subtle, personal statement.

The front of the frame features layers of laminated Horn, giving this living and porous material greater strength and stability.

LINDBERG Horn is made from the Horns of unique water buffalo breeds from regions such as India, Vietnam, Africa, as well as South and Central America.

As each breed has its own special characteristics, LINDBERG are able to offer stunning colour combinations in a variety of frame designs.

Though the Horns of certain breeds can grow up to two metres in length, LINDBERG only considers the outermost part of the Horn of high enough quality for use in their eyewear. The water buffalo LINDBERG uses are not under threat.

LINDBERG never compromise when it comes to comfort. That is why the nose bridge, temples and hinges on LINDBERG Horn frames are made from titanium and can be individually adjusted for a perfect fit.

The element titanium is hypo-allergenic, light, strong and extremely flexible. In 1985, LINDBERG became the world’s first frame manufacturer to incorporate titanium into its designs.

Each piece of Lindberg Horn eyewear comes in its own beautiful presentation box.

Experience Life as it's Meant To Be Seen...and Win!

Be in the draw to win one of three Vespa Scooters when you purchase a pair of Transition adaptive lenses. Lenses that quickly adjust from clear to dark and every shade in-between, then back again. The latest versions of Transition adaptive lenses are available now at Mortimer Hirst.

There is one Vespa to be won every month in July, August and September 2014, conditions apply.

Face à Face - The Latest Collection

The right shape helps to improve and to harmonize human relationships. Relying on this statement, Pascal Jaulent and Nadine Roth created Face à Face in 1995. 

To embellish every days life. To contribute to the personal well-being. To catch the trends of the present time. Such is the Face à Face spirit.

The various collections of eyewear and jewellery are designed along the themes of architecture, contemporary design and international fashion. Like subtle little pieces of architecture, Face à Face frames surpass their function and enter into the sculptural dimension of the object. Pure and truly contemporary lines, sensual volumes and colours, a refined sense of touch, the natural beauty of the eyes are fully revealed through the clear, graphic design of the frames. Face a Face designs diffuse audacity, glamour, a charming and pleasant, relaxed elegance, as well as a positive, altruist energy.

Signs of their time, the Face à Face collections reveal the individual personality of their wearer. The glasses become a narcissistic object that underlines its wearers personality and makes it unforgettable.

Each frames own design and stylistic evolution is motivated by its various functions. Indeed, beyond its basic purpose (to give everyone the ability to look at things clearly), a Face à Face frame is a guarantee of efficiency, of pleasure, of sharing, of style.

For further information please visit the Mortimer Hirst web site: 
http://mortimerhirst.co.nz/Content/BrandPage.aspx?BrandID=16