Making a spectacle out of VP candidate
FASHION STATEMENT | Glasses spark interest
Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin made all kinds of political statements during her convention speech, but the fashion statement she made with her glasses is what intrigued eyewear professionals.
Italee Optics of Los Angeles has increased its imports of the frames in response to Palin's appearance, a company manager said.
''We were just talking about that,'' said Judy Sulier, an optician at Pinnacle Eye Group in Bedford Township, Ohio. ''I was going to go online to pull it up and see what it would take to get it into the office, because I'm sure people will be inquiring about it.''
Cathy Ashner, an optical technician, agreed that John McCain's choice for the Republican ticket ''made a good fashion statement'' with her glasses during her prime-time acceptance speech.
''She wears them very well. They're very unique,'' Ashner said.
Palin, the governor of Alaska, wears customized glasses and frames from Japanese designer Kazuo Kawasaki.
The high-end eyewear -- the prices start at $600 -- are frameless and allow the customer to choose from a nearly limitless variety of lens shapes.
Shop owner Georgeann Kohn in Toledo, Ohio, said she had received ''just a couple inquiries'' from customers about copying Palin's spectacles, but she was excited that a female politician was brave enough to keep her glasses on in front of the cameras.
''This is going to be a big deal. Thank God somebody got out there with a pair of glasses on,'' Kohn said.
Scripps Howard News Service