BEING SEEN

Many writers have explored the idea that as we age, particularly as women age, they disappear. They are no longer of interest to a younger generation. They are no longer attractive to look at. Having never been a particularly elegant or fetching or good-looking person, that phenomenon was never going to bother me. But ladies, there is a way to get over this problem. Just wear bold glasses.

Susan and I have encouraged each other to excess in frames since buying my first pair of large red frames in the 1980s.

1986

Then I added emerald green to the mix and Susan encouraged me to buy brilliant aqua frames with fluorescent lime green side arms. And each year in Melbourne (with help from Josie Redmond at Scoogles), I’ve added to my collection as has Susan. Even when we’re wearing our most modest frames, a day rarely passes without someone complimenting us. And if I’m wearing my Oscar Mamooi glasses, inspired by Icelandic glaciers, the comments just flow. The Opening Night of Cinderella a couple of weeks ago was a case in point. Old and young; male and female; friends and strangers; the idea that someone of my age and look could wear such outrageously beautiful spectacles was worth commenting on. 


After I bought two pairs of Oscar's frames, I tracked down an email address and wrote to him to say that although i was clearly out his 'cool' demographic, I loved his frames. The response was charming:

We are honored and proud that you can wear our Oscar Mamooi glasses....They are not addressed to any age, but only for those who want to be unique.


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