Moscot’s Suit Everyone
I have been on the journey for the long awaited perfect pair of glasses since I was 14 years old. Obviously the beginnings were not so fancy. Specsavers was the initial go-to, where I picked the maturer options of the classless frames to pretend I was a sophisticated young adult who enjoyed a cuppa by the fire in her after school hours, whilst watching Hannah Montana. Then came the investment into more groovy designer frames at OPSM as I began to find my style at 16. The majority of frames I purchased were from the brand Miu Miu.
So whilst girls my age were buying designer purses, I was investing in eyewear.
I always appreciated Miu Miu’s ability to revel in the outrageous designer world of fun colours and edgy styles whilst upholding a realistic everyday standard. I think by the time I turned 22 I had accumulated a small fortune of three Miu Miu frames; two tortoiseshell - one with blue arms and one with rhinestones, as well as a black pair that were quite literally cut off where it meets the top of your cheek (a bold statement that I was well aware I mightn’t pull off).
Obviously as you get a bit older you notice your face change slightly especially from mid-teens to your early twenties, you lose the teenage chub/baby face and begin to gain some cheekbones and some of us are lucky enough to be blessed with a more chiseled scour, me on the other hand…I ended up with the softest of jawlines you may ever encounter.
In the midst of the chaos that was 2020 I moved home to where my parents resided in Launceston, Tasmania. Now think of small town vibes and think eyewear shops, you can’t really picture it can you. Although I actually found a beautiful pair of clear frames that were a ‘limited edition’ run designed by the brand Ellery for Specsavers. Then a year later I added a pair of gold metal frames by Chloe that are reminiscent of ‘Harry Potter but make it spring/summer runway Miu Miu circa 2014’ every time I wear them. Then I hit my ‘I want to look like a lawyer’ phase of my 20’s (which everyone goes through right?), hence Moscot.
I had first heard about the brand from my mum who has very rarely found a pair of glasses that in her opinion suited her face. She has very high cheek bones and quite a large round face…in her own words, not mine! She’s absolutely beautiful (I envy her symmetrical features; which were so rudely not passed down to me) but has always found the search for frames to be a difficult, unenjoyable and most of the time unsuccessful experience. So when I’d heard she’d found luck within the Moscot brand I was beyond thrilled for her. And my goodness you won’t believe it but the same pair she found for herself, was the same that I purchased but slightly smaller in size (and different colour). Which further validates my point of this brands versatility. THEY SUIT EVERYONE, trust me.
In little old Launceston sits the grooviest, most affable eyewear boutique called ‘Reflekt Eyewear’. The family owned business includes various designer eyeglasses and sunglasses. Ange who’s the lovely face greeting you as you stroll in, will always be a truly honest host. Sharing her opinions whilst also providing you with multiple options she sees fit for you amongst the curated collection of stunning frames. Ange will go above and beyond to provide an incredibly personal experience. Even going as far as ordering frames she doesn’t have on her shelves to accomodate your figurative imagery; and if they aren’t right, there’s no pressure in purchasing them. ‘Reflekt’ is unique within the glasses community for their convenience of same day installation of lenses into your frames; which is practically unheard of, especially in a small city such as Launceston. Because let’s be real - that’s half the annoyance. You pick out your new frames and then they get sent off to god knows where to be fitted with your prescription and you have to wait over a week to get your hands on those bad boys - and even worse when you wait all that time for them to not be sitting correctly for your eyeballs, then begins another waiting game. Well not at Reflekt, it’s same day drop off and pick up. I was initially looking at the clear framed ‘Lemtosh’, but Ange suggested I try the tortoiseshell version, much to my initial dismay - I did agree that it was what was missing in my collection as of late. And so that’s what started my love for the brand and the realisation that every ‘glasses wearer’ will find a frame to suit them and last the journey; within Moscot.
Moscot carries a 107 year long, 5 generational passion for eyeglasses.
The genesis of this iconic brand, originated from Hyman Moscot. Hyman travelled from Eastern European shores via Ellis Island in the 1890’s, where he began selling tailor made frames from his push cart in Orchard Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He accumulated a substantially dedicated following that allowed him to open the first Moscot store front in 1915. 10 years on, his son Sol began the second generation of Moscot’s to join the retail trade, and by 1936 they’d established the business on the same street Hyman’s origin story began at 118 Orchard Street. This housed Moscot for the next 80 years.
In 1951 Sol’s son Joel became the third generation of Moscot’s to preside over the business. He, just like his father and grandfather, was dedicated to the customers and their needs. After all - the business attains their dedicated following due to the familiarity and trust in tradesman-ship and quality from continuous generations of paying customers pride in the product. All due to the well taught family values of Sol and Hyman Moscot.
Joel’s son, Harvey Moscot, was the fourth generation of the family tree to take on the business. He started as the ‘Head of eye care’ within the brand, where he became a practising doctor of optometry for over 30 years. Still to this day Harvey is the CEO of Moscot, working alongside his son and grandson.
Joel’s youngest son, Kenny jumped on the bandwagon in 1992. In 2013, following the path of his many family members before him, Kenny’s son Zack became the fifth generation of Moscot’s to have represented the brand in some capacity. He remains the Chief Head of Design, continually upping the creative bar for the current trends and styles of the 21st century, whilst keeping the classic Moscot essence alive.
After 77 years at the infamous 118 Orchard Street location, that housed so many remarkable milestones sold, and it came time to relocate. Luckily enough across the street to 108 Orchard Street. A remarkable denouement to this iconic brands longevity and a decision that Hyman Moscot would be gratifyingly heart warmed by.
The brands versatility and inclusivity begins and ends with their fits.
They have three seperate fits for your face shape - Narrow, Average and Wide.
Narrow fit (42mm to 45mm) is for people like me with pea sized heads, the smallest of hats still feel loose, and most sunglasses look overwhelmingly ‘Elton John’ when that’s not even close to the vibe you’re going for. Average fit (46mm -49mm) is exactly as it sounds. You lucky bastard, everything probably fits your perfect head exactly how it should, I’m envious of your normal sized noggin. Wide fit (50mm), big brained babes. Hats and beanies are hella snug on your beautifully large forehead and perfectly proportioned features. You definitely can rock a thick framed pair of sunnies and they’ll look how they’re supposed to look. I hope you sleep soundly at night knowing this fact.
In addition to your specific fit (N,A,W), Moscot will also advise what ‘model of frames’ suit your face shape best. Square, Circle, Heart or Oval. With additional extras to think about such as the nose bridge - An acetate bridge (the normal thickness), stepped-down bridge (slightly thinner acetate for those who don’t like the prominence of the material, also slightly extended in length to add support along the side of your nose), or nose pads that help sit off your cheeks for you high cheek-boned son of a bitches, as well as being more flexible for those who don’t have an overly evident nose bridge. They offer a multitude of alternative frames along with their ‘classic’ styles. The endless options of colours to choose from are beyond my wildest dreams. Literally a different colour for any occasion you may be faced with.
I advise you with my whole heart to visit your local glasses shop that carries the Moscot brand, or visit their website to browse the array of beautiful eyewear and read upon features that I didn’t touch on within this post.
Unsurprisingly this is an unsponsored post, I truly do appreciate and delight in my admiration for such a wonderful brand with a quality backed; opinion based bias.
Written by Isabella Richardson
*research and factual information of the history of the brand were provided from the official website of Moscot, rewritten in my own words…same-same but different*
