Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Jimmy Fairly (Paris): Buy one, give one.


While in Paris, Mr Brigs & walked pass Jimmy Fairly's store in Marais on a daily basis. What drew our attention to the store were not only the glasses and sunglasses on display, but these shoes that were used as a prop on their front window.  After a week, I finally entered the store, intending just to inquire about the shoes, but ended up purchasing not only a pair of prescription glasses but also a pair of sunglasses (as did Mr Brigs). Oh, and we found the Rivieras espadrilles, which Mr Brigs promptly searched for and bought later that day.

 
First thing I said about these shoes: "These must be hard to keep clean!" - they sure will be...


The flagship store on Rue Vieille du Temple in Marais.


Ok, confession time.  I couldn't get these shoes out of my head, and tried them on for myself, intending to choose a different colour to that of Mr Brigs, but I couldn't resist this colourway, as it was just the best one.  And now, we have 'his and hers' shoes.  We'll make sure we never wear them out together at the same time, haha!


I liked this shape so much, I bought the same style in both the optical glasses AND sunglasses (glasses in tortoiseshell, sunglasses in black).


On the train on my way to Epernay (Champagne)



I sneakily borrow Mr Brigs' pair of sunglasses from time to time.  Pictured here with my Stella McCartney dress, Celine navy Trio and Isabel Marant Dicker boots in Anthracite (available herehere, here, pre-order here)


The 'Iconic' sunglasses worn with the only piece of clothing I bought in Europe (oh, bar the Gap tanks I bought), black Maje dress, and Isabel Marant Betty sneakers (all-suede Bobby available here, here and here).


What I wore today: Jimmy Fairly 'Iconic' glasses/spectacles, SABA merino wool turtleneck knit, Rag&Bone/JEAN The Dre jeans (pale wash available here), Chloe Susanna studded boots (available here, here, and here)


all pics my own (via iPhone)

'Buy one, give one':

Jimmy Fairly pieces are designed and made in France and Italy, and for each pair sold, a pair goes to a person in India, Africa or France who can't afford to buy prescription glasses or sunglasses. 

Founders Sacha Bostoni and Antonin Chartier work with French charities Peuples d’Himalaya, who run sustainable charity tourism trips to the Himalayas, Voir la Vie, who operate ophthalmology centers in Guinea, and the homeless shelter Emmaüs Solidarité in Paris. These non-profit organisations don't just send new and used glasses to people who need them, but create a local infrastructure for eye testing, cutting lenses and distributing glasses, as well as additional medical treatment when needed.

Every pair of glasses or sunglasses come with a little pack of gummy bears (tucked into the glasses case)! Even though I don't actually like eating them, I found this to be too cute!  

Customer service was impeccable with affordable prices.  Unfortunately the same could not be said about the optometrists I just picked my glasses up from - I upgraded my lenses here, thinking I'd get rebate from my health insurance. Turns out I paid more out-of-pocket plus ate into my health rebate 'fund' (that could've gone towards contact lenses), and it took one week longer than Mr Brigs glasses to be ordered, sent, received from Paris! He didn't have his script with him, and international shipping was only €10!)

Btw, this is not a sponsored post, I am just genuinely touched by Jimmy Fairly's 'Buy one, give one' model, and pretty much everything about them and their funky range of eyewear.

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