RELATED CONTENT

 

PITTSBURGH—New practice Eyepolis, based here, has found a way to merge eyewear’s fashion and function, highlighting both in the process of developing trunk shows.

“I’ve lived in Europe for the last 10 years and I suppose I have a bit of a slant in optical wear,” owner Viki Christopoulos, MD, an ophthalmologist specializing in cataract, cornea and refractive surgeries, said. “For

Because Eyepolis’ trunk show was a part of Pittsburgh
Fashion Week, the optical practice joined forces with a
local fashion designer. When walking down the runway,
models presented both clothing and eyewear.

Representatives from each of the four featured companies
were on hand to help attendees with eyewear questions.

Eyepolis, I look for brands to have very high quality, something that you can’t find on the street but will also hold up to wear,” Christopoulos said. “For the trunk shows, I want those brands to bring along an extensive collection, something different than what I carry, so people can see the range of what their brand offers.”

Having opened in August, Christopoulos’ single-location practice recently joined with Pittsburgh Fashion Week to host its first trunk show, one that featured a runway presentation of eyewear along with the fashions of local clothing designer Svetlana Abramova. Promoted primarily by Pittsburgh Fashion Week via e-mail,

Viki Christopoulos, MD

online and in local papers, the show featured frames from Gold & Wood, Morel, Silhouette and Ogi.

Following the Thursday night event, Eyepolis noticed an immediate impact to business, according to Christopoulos. “Foot traffic into our store was increased three-fold that very weekend, as were sales (mostly because of a large article in the newspaper about the trunk show with photos). This, of course, was in addition to the sales made on the evening of the trunk show,” she said.

“Because we are also an ophthalmology office, those who come to see our eyewear many times end up making a medical appointment for themselves or a family member,” she added. “Therefore, the impact is much more extensive than just how many pairs of glasses were sold.”

Going forward, Eyepolis is looking to host three shows a year focusing on one brand at a time, Christopoulos said. “As opposed to bringing in four different lines, I want to give each brand all the attention in future trunk shows,” she said, adding that the practice might also bring in a cosmetic artist to show clients how to optimize their look behind glasses. “The fashion show was the first time I’ve ever seen models wearing glasses and I think they looked superb,” she added, “It’s actually quite nice to glamorize glasses.”

— Delia Paunescu, Assistant Editor