Men do make passes at girls who wear glasses

When I was little I was very short sighted. In those days the only option I was given were NHS frames: standard pink, pale blue or white. I had pink ones. They were pretty horrendous and as soon as I could I graduated to contact lenses. 

Fast forward to the 90's and I managed to get laser surgery, which left me blissfully without any sight aids for a decade. Sadly however, this year as my eyesight began to wane once more, I was reluctantly left with the task of having to wear glasses again. Scarred from the early childhood experience, it’s been an uphill struggle re-branding 'wearing spectacles' in my own head.

Luckily, Fabris Lane have taken on the challenge and my word they are doing a mighty job. Their latest ad campaign is classy, thoughtful and has certainly made me reassess. A magazine collaboration with Cent magazine was the reason for a party they threw last week at the Wapping Project and judging by droves of uber-chic spectacle clad guests, it would seem that it is very very cool to wear specs. I almost wished I wasn’t wearing my contacts and that really is a first.

It wasn’t my first time at The Wapping Project however, which is a fantastic space, full of a whole host of quirky art installations and exhibitions. In addition to the event there was an exhibition of dresses, photography, a poetry greenhouse and a curious room full of leaves. A company called RADO had installed a moving image photobooth and after 5 minutes of my gang larking about in the booth, produced a flickbook as a souvenir. This was possibly one of the most fun party ideas I have ever experienced.

I digress and despite my initial excitement at the evening, I’m not quite ready to lose my contact lenses. But I will say that I really loved the mood of the latest collection from Fabris Lane. It was modern, understated and quite beautiful. They appear to be highlighting their frames in an everyday way and not as a novelty, as is often the case with designer brands. This approach is more fitting for style-conscious people like me, who have to wear them everyday not just as a one-off fashion accessory.