One of my favourite sayings is from Pablo Picasso, “Learn the rules like a pro and break them like an artist”.
There is no better time to be remarkable and shine like a pro in the eyes of your clients. To truly be different, you must be different. Profound eh? It sounds so simple, yet opticians and stylists can easily get comfortable fitting the same frames over and over leading to boredom in our profession and an unremarkable experience for clients.
Think of each new person as a new canvas and tap into your creative personality styling “art for the face”. First, be bold and style yourself with extraordinary and exceptional eyewear and be the brand of your “go-to” fashion boutique. When you love your look and your eyewear is reflective of your authentic spec style, you will exude confidence and feel empowered easily attracting more eyewear enthusiasts to your distinctive dispensary.
The last few years have been eye-opening for sure teaching us to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Learning this lesson the hard way makes us more equipped to inspire clients to move out of their “eyewear comfort zone”. We have had to expand our thinking and be flexible daily in order to adapt to constant change. The time has never been better to work with local boutique designers and Canadian distributors that offer unique crafted eyewear.
There is both an art and science to styling eyewear and knowing the face shape rules when it comes to balance, and proportion is really only a small part of the process. Identifying face shape is simply a guideline and one of the most used self-help tools online. And yet, most clients still struggle with the process and are confused by the contradictory advice freely offered.
This is a huge OPPORTUNITY for the artistic optician who knows the rules, knows when to break them and knows how to style and communicate effectively to transform their clients’ image with fashion forward eyewear.
Focusing on the details in the face offers you the advantage to engage your clients as an individual not a random face shape, and then offer expert advice specific to them helping them to stand out in business and life.
Don’t get hung up on face shape rules. I would highly recommend (twist your arm persuasive), to focus on clients’ unique facial features always enhancing the positive! There is nothing negative about your clients. They are flawless and perfect!
Ask Yourself
- What is the shape of the brow?
- Is the face long or short?
- Are the facial features curved or do they have straight lines?
- Where is the widest part of the face?
- What features would you like to maximize or minimize?
- Where are the curves or angles in the outline of the face?
- Is the face symmetrical?
Having clarity on these details gives you insight to streamline your selection process, giving attention to:
- Optimum size with depth and width of the frames
- Bridge size and placement
- Curved or angular shapes
- Design lines
- Colour placement
Focusing on the details in the face offers you the advantage to engage your clients as an individual not a random face shape, and then offer expert advice specific to them helping them to stand out in business and life. When your clients look good, you look “spectacular”! When they receive compliments, it starts an enthusiastic conversation about your artistic approach to styling eyewear. Your best advertising is you!
Be Spectacular!
– Originally published in Optik Magazine
Interested in learning more about how to incorporate Eyewear Styling into your dispensary? Check out my different training offers.