Just prior to Christmas, I spent a little time exploring some stores in Melbourne I hadn’t yet had the pleasure of playing in. I was particularly eager to visit a small optical store in Fiztroy with an exceptional collection of vintage glasses; Che Eyewear. Now I don’t wear reading glasses (although I have them, I haven’t worn them in ages) I do have an addiction to buying cute sunglasses.

Given that so many of my favourite cats eye and bejewelled vintage glasses are now being reproduced at alarming price tags; I wanted to find out what was available in the way of deadstock originals. So I spent some time with the wonderful owner of Che, Rose.

Rose and her family own the business and aren’t just your usual optometrists, but serious vintage collectors. Tired of the same old, sub par experiences on offer; Che have created a beautiful boutique experience where choosing the perfect pair of glasses becomes and adventure in style and in time. Inspired by her Great Aunt’s love of a killer frame in the 1940′s, Rose uses images of this lovely lady and her delightful specs all around the business.

I’ll let the pictures do the talking….

Rose was simply lovely, both helpful and knowledgable. In fact she is one of those people you feel you already know, such was our shared enthusiasm for old world designs and quality. All of the stock is new-old stock, which means the frames are in tip top condition for their age and can be fitted with almost any prescription. The price range was incredibly reasonable, and certainly far more kind than many of the (far less impressive) reproductions I’ve seen.

If you wear glasses, including sunglasses; this is one place to add to your Places to Visit list. After all, you can visit Che Eyewear for eye examinations too – a great way to get your eye check bulk billed while in the most pretty of vintage stores!