The launch of Stuart Weitzman’s inaugural eyewear collection with Safilo marks a significant milestone. Hayley Friel, the creative mind behind this collection, delves into the inspiration and philosophy guiding her designs.
Drawing from Stuart Weitzman’s DNA
Hayley Friel reveals, “As it was our first time working with the brand and creating their inaugural eyewear collection, I wanted to really look at the DNA of the brand and the details they use across both their shoes and handbags. I was drawn to their iconic 5050 boots which inspired the hardware, mix of materials, and colours.” This thoughtful integration ensures that each eyewear piece embodies the essence of Stuart Weitzman.
Choice of Materials
“We’re using beautiful, rich havanas designed in Italy and created two bespoke snake print acetates to be used as an iconic pattern throughout the styles,” says Friel. This choice reflects Stuart Weitzman’s use of snake textures, a timeless yet contemporary pattern. The collection also features bespoke glitter papers and Swarovski materials, including crystals and pearls, adding a touch of sparkle and luxury.
Craftsmanship Process
Friel elaborates on the craftsmanship process: “I spend considerable time in the beginning thinking about the temple design and how I want to incorporate certain elements such as the 5050 detailing or the sparkle that you see on SW occasion pieces. Each design is prototyped in our atelier, then shared with the fashion house before moving on to the color proposal, and finally briefing the approved collection to the factory.”
Aesthetic and Functional Excellence
The choice of materials not only enhances the aesthetics but also the functionality of the eyewear. “The acetates we chose are rich in colour and dimension but also have superior tensile strength, meaning they are built to last. My hope is that the frames become a long-term addition to our customer’s eyewear collection,” says Friel.
Customers can expect bespoke snake acetates, snake glitter paper, and a logo stone developed with Swarovski. Friel shares, “Moving into the Spring/Summer 2025 season, there will be new bespoke hinges and wire cores based on hardware shapes used by the fashion house on their shoes. We also developed a hardware detail mirroring the shape of the W from the Stuart Weitzman logo.”
Target Audience
“The Stuart Weitzman woman is confident, sophisticated, appreciates high-quality craftsmanship, and prioritizes comfort and style equally,” says Friel. This collection is designed to resonate with such discerning customers.
Adapting to Different Face Shapes and Personal Styles
The collection features over 50% global fitting and offers a range of lens sizes and shapes. “We offer both fine and chunky acetate looks along with lightweight metal styling in an array of shapes,” Friel explains. This versatility ensures the collection appeals to various face shapes and personal styles.
Positioning for Opticians
One of the defining features is the competitive pricing of these handcrafted Italian eyewear pieces. Friel emphasizes, “The eyewear is handcrafted in Italy with top-tier materials but competitively priced, allowing more people to own luxury frames.”
Professional Recommendations and Market Fit
Opticians have compelling reasons to consider the Stuart Weitzman collection.
Why Add Stuart Weitzman Eyewear to Your Offerings?
“The collection features sparkle and embellishment applied in a sophisticated and tasteful way. It was crucial that the frames ultimately feel elegant,” says Friel. The elegant yet subtly sparkling designs make these frames a must-have for luxury eyewear collections.
Feedback and Market Positioning
Friel shares valuable feedback received during the design process: “One of the main pieces of feedback I received emphasized creating a distinct design language for the collection.” This attention to detail ensures that the collection fits perfectly into the high-end eyewear market, offering sophisticated design and materials.
Emerging Trends
“Embellishment continues to be huge, and I’m so excited for people to see how this was interpreted in the Spring 25 collection,” Friel notes. The collection’s innovative use of stones ensures that embellished styles remain contemporary and desirable.
Sneak Peek into Future Designs
Friel teases future collections: “I’m working on interpreting another iconic Stuart Weitzman design cluster, ‘The Nudist’. The Nudist sandal is a staple on the red carpet, and I’m excited to bring elements from the shoe into eyewear.”
Personal Insights
Friel’s passion for designing eyewear shines through in her work. “I love that eyewear serves a function. While it is a fashion accessory, it also provides vision with prescription frames or protects our eyes from sun damage,” Friel shares. Her designs aim to boost the wearer’s confidence, making eyewear a true extension of their personality.
Staying Inspired and Creative
Travel and cultural experiences fuel Friel’s creativity. “My absolute favorite thing to do is travel and experience new cultures, finding points of inspiration along the way,” she says. Her access to creative hubs like New York and London, coupled with inspiration from friends in the creative industry, ensures her designs remain fresh and innovative.
The Stuart Weitzman eyewear collection, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and an eye for sophisticated style, is set to redefine luxury eyewear. Stay tuned for these exquisite pieces that promise to add a touch of elegance and sparkle to your eyewear collection.