Seeing is believing
New vintage store Rosemanclub offers pocket-friendly spectacles and much more besides
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Piyawan “Spoyz” Eauboonsiri and her pal, copywriter Passanunt “Natz” Tarajaruspat, can’t remember a time when they didn’t collect antiques and vintage items.
They are also both inordinately fond of specs and last year decided to combine these passions with the launch of Rosemanclub, which offers smart vintage-inspired eyewear hand-crafted by artisans in Fukui, Japan.
They introduced their eyewear at trade shows at Paris and New York and impressed retail buyers from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Vienna, Berlin, the US and Australia and are now selling specs to Shanghai too.
“We love everything about vintage, whether it’s big items like furniture or small things like sunglasses. But we also noticed there aren’t many choices on the market for those who don’t appreciate expensive brand-name glasses. So we decided to create our own. Even though they are handmade, the prices are affordable to everyone,” Pitawan says.
“We started in 2013 and thanks to Natz’s family, who has business contacts in Japan, were able to get in touch with an old eyewear factory in Japan, which is famous for producing quality acetate in several designs.”
The pair opened their first store at Soi Chula 11 late last year. Surrounded by restaurants and cafes, the boutique with a cheerful orange door is designed as a walk-in closet and stocks their eyewear collections along with trendy specs from many countries.
Made from good-quality acetate, their stylish spectacles come in more than 40 designs and in 27 colours. They include Ryu frames with straight arms to reduce compression of the ears as well as glasses without uncomfortable plastic nose pads.
The classic Charlie edition comes in three hues, while the Kin frame combines a round shape and straight line. The Alfie is a mixture of acetate and alloy and the Katsu line looks cool with a narrow square frame.
All come with UV protection lenses that are electromagnetic interference proof, anti-reflective, scratch resistant, dirt and water repellent. Anyone with myopia can change to multi-coated lens with free of charge. Prices range from Bt3,800 to Bt4,850 with clip-ons going for Bt550.
Customers wanting a more retro look can opt for vintage frames from international brands Tiffany Lunettes, Champs Elysees, Rayban Gatsby, United Colours of Benetton, Jean Chantant, Rayban signet Gold, Takashima Ozaki and Avon Lunettes.
The shop also sells trunks from Australia, fashionable outfits from Japan and genuine leather wallets from New York.
THE EYES HAVE IT
>>Rosemanclub is at 1497 Soi Chula 11, Rama IV Road. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 8pm. Call (081) 444 2642 or visit www.RosemanClub.com.
