As old-fashioned glasses have suddenly become the height of style, Ruth Addicott talks to one eye clinic in Newcastle about the latest demand for vintage frames.

FIFTIES icon Betty Paige has inspired a growing trend in the North-East for vintage eyewear. With more and more people wanting to recreate the looks seen in TV shows such as Mad Men, vintage-style glasses are having a new lease of life.

Among the most sought after designs at Concept Eye Clinic in Gosforth, Newcastle is the Andy Wolf collection, inspired by Fifties pinup Betty Paige.

Creative director Shehla Naqvi says the trend has been prompted by the appeal of Mad Men and fashion-led films such as Tom Ford’s A Single Man. “A lot of people want to buy into that look, it’s particularly popular with young professional people who want something a little bit edgy,” says Shehla. “The frames are based on a Fifties Betty Paige vintage style, but have a modern twist. They’re for people who want more of a statement piece rather than something the same as everyone else is wearing.”

The Andy Wolf collection features a range of designs and colours and according to Shehla, people often buy more than one style to fit in with their lifestyle and working week.

Concept is the only stockist of Andy Wolf frames in the region and sells a number of top brands, including celebrity favourite Mykita.

Notting Hill star Rhys Ifans has been spotted in Mykita sunglasses and Sarah Jessica Parker wore a fabulous gold aviator pair in the film Sex And the City.

Prices for the Mykita frames start at £295 and they are designed in Berlin using spaceage engineering, making them incredibly light to wear. They don’t have screws holding them together and can bend in different directions without snapping. “They are often worn by surgeons and doctors because they’re so comfortable,”

says Shehla.

Other styles to look out for are the Chopard Diamond collection (from £359) and the jewellike hand-painted frames by Ronit Furst (from £180). Each frame is a one-off and carries the artist’s own signature. The store also sells frames by Cutler & Gross (from £219), Theo (from £259) and Oliver Peoples (as worn by Johnny Depp and Lord of The Rings star Elijah Wood). Prices start at £199.

Aside from stocking brands that are difficult to find elsewhere, Shehla says customers often go back to the store because they appreciate the one-to-one service.

In-house stylists and designers are on hand to help people find the right frames and spend a lot of time talking to customers about the image they want to project. Shehla says people often get intimidated by the extensive range on the High Street and end up feeling confused.

Customers are encouraged to take their time at Concept and make use of the full-length mirror in the store to ensure they are happy with their choice.

“We all have our own individuality, but people often tend to stick to the same style and believe certain frames don’t suit them. Our faces change as we get older and we need to bear that in mind,” says Shehla.

“We don’t hurry anyone along, we take time to talk to them and listen to what they want.

It’s about trust at the end of the day. People buy clothes every week, but spectacles are a special purchase.”

The store will be introducing another range in the new year by stylish new Danish designer Monoqool. Look out too for the launch of The Concept Club, which offers customers sight tests and contact lens check-ups for just £5.99 a month, plus £100 off designer frames.