IN THE FRAME
Four Irish makeover candidates rock their specs in style
Eleanor, 66
A retired public service worker from Ballincollig, Co.Cork, Eleanor has been wearing glasses for almost two decades.
“I need them for reading and computers. I’ve always found Specsavers fantastic, and they have a huge range of stylish frames.”
Eleanor travelled to Dublin with her daughter to take part in the makeover shoot, and says she enjoyed the experience of having her hair and makeup done and being professionally styled.
“The shape of the frame from the Darren Kennedy Recommends edit suited my face, colouring and also the outfit I was wearing. I was confident and happy after the makeover.”
Suzanne, 45
As Suzanne is short-sighted, she’s been wearing glasses since she was 15 years old, and says she’s totally dependent on them.
However, the legal secretary from Boyle, Co Roscommon says that she could spend hours trying on different frames. We took the groundwork out for her and styled her with a fun, bright pair of Cath Kidston specs to match her sunny personality.
“I had a fantastic day at the makeover, everyone was so nice and I felt very comfortable. The hairstyle was very different and a style I would never have tried myself, but I loved it.”
And as for her frames? “I loved them so much, I will be buying a few more pairs to add to my spectacle wardrobe!”
Shannon, 21
Advertising student Shannon from Dublin describes her own style as bold, comfortable and cool, and she was spoilt for choice with the frames in the Darren Kennedy Recommends edit, eventually choosing a funky pair from Love Moschino.
“I’ve been wearing glasses for nine years. I started out just needing them to see long distances but now I walk into walls without them!”
Shannon is so pleased with the fashion forward offering of frames in today’s market. “Growing up, I was always conscious of not looking ridiculous with glasses; I wanted to look ‘cool’ but as with all conscious teens I tried to go without them.” Now though, she says she adores her retro specs. “I love that the shape suited by round face. I love every frame from Darren’s edit.”
Neill, 27
A hairstylist from Tallaght in Dublin, Neill knows the importance of looking good in his daily life – and that his frames play a big part in that.
“I’ve been wearing glasses since my first year of secondary school. I’ve never found it difficult to find stylish frames, and have always had an amazing help from all the staff at the Specavers in Tallaght.”
Neill works on a lot of photoshoots in a professional capacity, but was thrilled to be on the other side of the camera. He selected his own frames, and went for the Jeff Banks style to fit in with his own style ethos – on trend, young and clean cut.