Oh you precious things

Optician finds changes afoot in the luxury eyewear market, with moves away from purely classical styling. Here practitioners and providers reveal a few gems

There are many definitions of luxury and a quick web check throws up 'something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity', or 'goods at the highest end of the market in terms of quality and price'.

While all sorts of branded eyewear could be considered to be 'luxury', for argument's sake optician has placed product from jewellers like Cartier, and Fred at the top end, clearly swayed by the £75,000 price tag for Cartier's high jewellery, but will not sniff when some Swarovski crystal is married to precious metals.