MC Eyewear

The internationally acclaimed artist and photographer and my neighbor Michel Comte has created the exclusive MC Eyewear eyewear collection in collaboration with the innovative Zurich eyewear store  Optiker Zwicker. A connection rooted in a random encounter in a vintage shop to a long-standing passion for unique eyewear,  the joint venture sets new standards in design and individuality – a true testament to Comte’s lifelong dedication and the traditional expertise of Optiker Zwicker.

Michel Comte with me in his atelier

Comte, who photographed icons such as Louise Bourgeois, Miles Davis, Jeremy Irons and Karl Lagerfeld, was 18 years old, when he had his first custom made glasses at Optiker Zwicker. After meeting Yves Saint-Laurent for the first time at Kronenhalle restaurant in Zurich, he was immediately drawn to the designer’s eyewear that immediately after, Michel Comte designed his first pair of glasses and had them made by the oldest optician in Zurich. Since then, Comte has created his own pairs of glasses at different places and at different times.

Michel Comte: «Today I’m back in my hometown and am lucky enough to be working with optician Zwicker – where it all began – and launching a special eyewear collection.The glasses in this new collection are for people who want to make a statement. They are for everyone who knows that glasses not only improve vision, but also underline their personality.»

The MC Eyewear eyewear collection currently includes three models: Nearco, Luna and Bianca – each named after important figures in Comte’s life. Nearco was his racehorse in the 1970s, Luna was his dog while living in Los Angeles, and Bianca, his Himalayan cat, was named in honor of social and human rights activist Bianca Jagger. Further designs are already being planned. Each frame is designed in Switzerland and carefully made from acetate in Germany in Wissing. The frames can be worn as both optical glasses and sunglasses. The cost of a model is around CHF 1,250.

The MC Eyewear collection is now available exclusively at Optiker Zwicker am Paradeplatz in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Michel Comte / Optiker Zwicker and © Sandra Bauknecht
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Navyboot’s New Creative Director

Navyboot-Margelist

This morning Navyboot held a press conference to announce their new Creative Director: Adrian Josef Margelist. The 34-year-old native Swiss has experienced success in that field. After launching his career at Vivienne Westwood in London where he designed the accessory line, he has worked for well-known houses like Fabric Frontline, Esprit and MCM. During those years, he has gained a lot of know-how in repositioning and relaunching a brand. This is exactly what he is aiming to do for Navyboot. The charismatic designer will be in charge for the new visual concept as well as for the product development. His first collection for F/W 2011 of shoes, bags and accessories (Navyboot`s key items) will hit the stores in barely one year. I am absolutely looking forward to seeing his creations.

Me with the New Creative Director Adrian Josef Margelist. He is wearing the YSL button as „a tribute to the master“. Love that!

Me with the New Creative Director Adrian Josef Margelist. He is wearing the YSL button as „a tribute to the master“. Love that!

He is envisioning a high-end product in the premium price level with its own signature. The handwriting should definitely be international which would help the expansion strategy of the Swiss house. Navyboot has just opened 8 stores in Germany and more are planned in other countries. I like the new course, it is fresh, dynamic and courageous.

Navyboot Logo




The new S/S 2010 campaign, photographed by famous Michel Comte, is also promising.  With the emphasis on ballet flats, Polina Semionova, prima ballerina at the Berlin State Opera, has been the perfect choice to model the new collection along with Swiss actress Melanie Winiger as another unconventional ambassador.

I like the new wind of change that is blowing at Navyboot. No guts, no glory!

LoL, Sandra