The Look: Óptica Toscana

There are probably more sunglasses shops in Palma than cafés. Yet I couldn’t convince my sweetheart to trade his old aviators for a new pair of shades. Until we passed Óptica Toscana recently. Among the plenitude of shops selling the very same labels this store offers a unique selection of young brands like Garrett Leight, Kuboraum, Barton Perreira, Marni or Caroline Abram. Despite the sophisticated designs Óptica Toscana is not another sunglasses vendor but a real optician.

Maria José and Rubén happily introduced us to their favorite models, many of them inspired by classics from the 50’s or 60’s. I always love the way how a pair of glasses – just like a hat – brings out a different, often hidden part of your personality. While my love was busy to find the pair that suited him best I enjoyed trying on a few more extravagant ones. Like the black Micky-Mouse-shaped glasses Lady Gaga had been wearing for one of her concerts or the oversized white rock-star frames of Kurt Cobain.

It was pure chance that I met Antonio López that day. He and his partner Mamen Dominguez founded Óptica Toscana 25 years ago. Each of their four stores in Madrid, Barcelona and since 2016 also in Palma features its very own design. And caters to people who care about their vision just as much as about their look. For their anniversary Óptica Toscana created a slim line of classic shades, handmade in Madrid.

Óptica Toscana also represents Mykita in Spain. The Berlin brand was founded in a former day-care center for children, hence its name: Kita is the abbreviation of the German word Kindertagesstätte. I am proud owner of a vintage model with a round blue frame that Janis Joplin would have liked, too. My sweetheart went for a simple yet adorable frame by Moscot in matte black. The label just slightly brushed up their century old signature model: timeless and chic.