THE LAST STORE
7-10, Kakudacho
530 0017-Osaka
Japan
Owners Tatsuya and Ryo Okamoto
How was The Last Store born and why did you choose this name?
We are the ‘last stronghold’. Although The Last Store offers vintage eyewear, jewellery, and watches, we are not just vintage enthusiasts. We carry pieces from many different eras because of the beauty which the piece itself embodies. Powerful beauty that transcends the ages, we believe, can bring awareness to not only each one of us, but also to all of our visitors.
However, this kind of sense of beauty is being lost in the modern world. Which is why we are standing here as the last stronghold, and therefore we are named The Last Store, for beautiful pieces and for all who desire them.
What is the background of the Okamoto Brothers and how did their passion for glasses and vintage come about?
Our founders, Tatsuya and Ryo Okamoto, known as the Okamoto Brothers, are brothers who are one year apart in age, raised by a Christian mother and a Buddhist priest father.
Nevertheless, their diverse cultural backgrounds led to their interest in eyewear through their grandfather. As a private investigator, he valued the importance of beauty in everyday life. He loved antiques like emerald rings and Japanese swords, bespoke suits and so on and, most importantly, eyewear.
Eyewear led to the first spark of the brother’s pathway, and that is because eyewear enters between the gazes of human beings and controls our impressions of them.
In every past culture, masks had religious significance. Eyewear, in other words, is like a modern mask. It is a bridge between what is inside oneself and something invisible in the outside world.
They wonder what kind of person who wears glasses wants to be. Eyewear is special because it visibly represents the beauty itself for confidently going about our daily lives.
What are the concepts and the philosophy of The Last Store?
As we explained earlier, our concept is to be the last stronghold of ‘dying beauty’ and ‘deviant beauty’.
The spaces and stylistic choices in the furnishings and details of The Last Store are very particular, carefully researched. It is clear that they want to tell a very specific world, linked to the luxury and beauty of history and traditions. Who conceived and took care of the interior design?
The interior of The Last Store is composed of various vintage and antique pieces, which were not planned in advance, but were created through improvisation by the Okamoto Brothers’ aesthetic sense.
Some of the furniture, the doors, the furnishings in general are very special, they seem to be the result of a lot of research. Do they have a particular history?
The store is covered entirely in unfinished brass walls, which creates a timeless ‘daydream’ space. From the chairs hand-carved in Indonesia, to the iron grating from the Central Bank of France, and the chandelier from Murano Island made in the 60’s, the concept of the store is embodied.
Inside the store there are many objects, especially glasses and jewellery, what criteria do you use to decide to include them in The Last Store?
The Okamoto Brothers and we just incorporate what strikes our heartstrings.
In particular, we improvise our displays on a case-by-case basis.
We use peacock feathers, Renaissance busts, Japanese origami, German anatomical models, and sometimes even toilet paper.
What type of glasses do you include in your wonderful shop, what characteristics should they have?
The most important criterion for us is ‘whether it is beautiful or not’.
Whether the eyewear is finished by hand or by machine, it is important that the maker’s sense of beauty permeates every small detail of the frame. And only vintage or our original eyewear can meet these criteria.
Condition is also an important point. Laying everything aside, all of our vintage eyewear is new old stock. We never sell products that are scratched or deteriorated, even if they have never been used. We also offer a free lifetime warranty on all purchases. We want you to fully enjoy what you like.
You opened your store in January, I know that the event was particularly special and with elements linked to Japanese popular tradition, can you tell us about them?
Not just the grand opening event, we are always inspired by traditional Japanese culture. There’s a Japanese term called ‘Sukisha’ – people who are fascinated by a certain thing and whose taste wanders between desire and spiritual exploration.
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MAG.NIFIER
plac Małachowskiego 2
00-066 Warsaw
Poland
Owners Magda Rudzka and Kasia Siewruk
Magda and Kasia, your Mag.nifier was love at first sight for us. It’s like a ‘secrétaire’ where every drawer and every door hides something special and absolutely surprising. It’s out of the ordinary. What are the concept and the philosophy behind your store?
The concept behind Mag.nifier was always to create more than just an optical store – it’s meant to be a space for encounters and surprises. We wanted to present eyewear not just as a necessity, but as functional art. It’s a bit like Ollivander’s wand shop from Harry Potter, where each item has its own magic and story. People often step inside because they’re intrigued by the window display, not always sure what we are, and that’s exactly the kind of curiosity we want to spark. Since we started collaborating with the artist Radek Szlaga, our window has even gained more attention, and it feels like our store is becoming a gallery in its own right.
Our interior blends minimalism with maximalism, and that’s part of the philosophy – we want people to have an experience here, not just shop. The idea behind our ‘secret drawers’ filled with glasses is rooted in our desire to help people find the perfect pair. While some may prefer to explore on their own, we handpick frames, selecting the ones we think will work best for each customer. It’s a personal touch, and we love the moment of surprise when a guest realizes that a pair they initially thought was not for them might actually be the perfect fit.
We’re also really proud of the sculptures that appear when you open the cabinets – they’re a hidden ‘treat’ created by Piotr Sobiesiak, whose works are gaining wider recognition, with even the National Museum purchasing some. The sculptures are designed so that we can actually place glasses on them, and we have so much fun experimenting with different frames, almost as if we’re changing their personalities. It all adds up to making our store not just a place to buy glasses, but a place to experience art.
Additionally, the whole neighbourhood is deeply connected with art. We are located just across from the National Gallery of Art and reside in a historic building that once belonged to Count Raczyński, adding another layer of cultural heritage to our space. It’s a perfect setting for what we’re trying to create – an intersection of art, design, and functionality.
Can you tell us something about your background?
Magda has been in the optical profession for 30 years now. Her expertise is the result of many years of hands-on experience working with people and her solid educational background in optics. She’s spent time in leading optical stores in Warsaw and even worked in lens complaint management for one of the top manufacturers. Thanks to this diverse experience, she not only excels at selecting the perfect frames but also has deep optical knowledge, which truly sets her apart.
Kasia’s background isn’t directly connected to optics, but glasses have always been one of her favourite accessories. She has long been passionate about art and fashion, which naturally drew her toward eyewear as a form of self-expression. She first met Magda as a customer, and that encounter changed everything – after her first experience buying glasses from her, she couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. For Kasia, the world of optics quickly revealed itself as the perfect blend of art, fashion, and her previous experience in business and marketing.
What does ‘mag.nifier’ mean? Why did you choose this name?
The name mag.nifier is a play on words. On one hand, it refers to a magnifier as an optical tool, which naturally connects to our profession. On the other, the dot in the middle is a small nod to Magda’s name – a way of making the brand more personal and meaningful.
If you could compare Mag.nifier to a fantasy world, what would you equate it to?
There are plenty of comparisons! For us, Mag.nifier is first and foremost a stage for eyewear :-). We often hear that the interior has something of Twin Peaks in it – our curtains frequently bring that association to mind. But perhaps the closest comparison would be Mr. Ollivander’s wand shop from Harry Potter, which we’ve mentioned before. Just like there, every visit feels a little magical, and each pair of glasses seems to be waiting for the right person.
Who took care of the interiors, what are the peculiarities and what are the sources of inspiration behind its creation?
That’s actually quite a story in itself. The interior was created by a duo: architect Wiktor Gago and set designer Katarzyna Borkowska. Both of them were Magda’s clients, and it was her idea to bring them together for this project. They didn’t know each other before and weren’t initially convinced, but soon it turned out that they shared the same vision – and that’s when the real creative storm began.
The inspiration came from many directions: Venice, film, and of course the building itself – the historic Krasiński Tenement House. Inside, art, architecture, and color meet, with a careful balance between warm and cool tones and a playful use of fabrics. Light also plays a leading role here, bouncing off mirrors, metallic cabinets, and a ceiling covered with schlagmetal. The central lamp, reflected in that ceiling, takes on the shape of an eye.
One of our favourite details is the large mirror placed so that it reflects not just the customer, but also the National Gallery of Art, Zachęta, in the background – a subtle nod to the neighbourhood and a perfect backdrop for a spontaneous photo.
We love that you’ve combined glasses and art. We think that those who love beautiful glasses are also passionate about art in general. Why did you make this choice, and how do the two worlds come together?
For us, combining glasses and art felt completely natural. We both truly love art – Magda collects it, while Kasia spent years painting – and it plays an important role in our lives. Eyewear, like art, is a form of self-expression, and in our store each pair of glasses becomes almost like a small sculpture. Everything – from the interior to the lighting and displays – is designed to make every visit an inspiring experience.
How much have your culture and the city of Warsaw influenced your stylistic choices?
The immediate surroundings of our store inspired many of our design choices. The historic Krasiński Tenement House, for example, influenced details like our lighting, echoing the building’s ornate façade. The neighbourhood’s character and artistic vibe encouraged us to create a space where art, design, and eyewear come together in an inspiring way.
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VOSKINS
GRIFFINTOWN
1338 Notre-Dame Ouest
Montréal, Qc
CANADA
MILE END
5431 St-Laurent
Montréal, Qc
CANADA
Owner Dr. Anh-Ton Tran
The first thing I’d like to ask you is about your background and the path that led you to become an optician who deals with glasses that deviate from the norms of the mass market.
Adult life started with engineering school, then biochemistry. I ended up in optometry school not really knowing what the profession was about, other than eye exams and glasses. I started getting into style and fashion, educating myself bit by bit and realized that I wasn’t only interested in what looked good, but appreciated much more the work behind making things look good. The thought process and creativity needed to materialize an idea into a tangible object is quite inspiring. I hope that everyone can be part of that and wearing stand out frames is a great way to spread the message.
We’re very impressed by the unique vivacity of both your Voskins stores, the one in Griffintown and the one in Mile End. Can you tell us about their history and the spirit behind their creation?
I wanted to build an optical shop that would shy away from the clinical and contemporary model that we have in Montreal. Here we have big chains stores that are quite cooky cutter in terms of design, and back in 2013 there wasn’t that many independent eyewear shop that took risks with their show room. That’s when the first Voskins opened in Griffintown, an old industrial neighbourhood near the port where all the boats came in, a haven for many immigrant communities in the early days of Montreal. Then in 2016, we opened in the Mile End, another iconic neighbourhood rich in history with its creative and cultural influences.
I wanted to create a space that could have existed in the 1910s or 1920s, an old gentlemen’s club or antique apothecary. I love old objects, the history, and knowing that these objects were used in the past is quite humbling. It’s quite visually stimulating, and we try to tell a story in each of our displays. It makes our shop very cozy and comfortable. Everything is accessible, none of the frames are locked in. It’s less intimidating to stay and learn a thing or two about eyewear.
Where does the name Voskins come from?
As a Vietnamese Canadian born in the French part of Canada, I combined both cultures to create the name Voskins. The origin of Voskins comes from the words Vos (French for your) and Kính (Vietnamese for glasses): ‘Your glasses’.
Who looked after the interiors and what were the sources of inspiration? The furnishings clearly have a history, tell us about it.
We had a designer help us with the creation of both shops: Guillaume Ménard.
He mostly had a background in restaurants design before working on the project, so he knows how to create a mood. We went to antique shops and auctions to source the incredible pieces we have. Anything that looked like it has a story to tell, we wanted it. Even today, after many years, I still keep an eye out for objects that need to be in our shop, to add new pages to our book.
Tell us about the concept behind the creation of these stores and your philosophy of work.
We look to guide our customers through the many nuances of eyewear. It’s so hard to find a frame that let us express who we are. We are here to teach about materials, design, history and morphology. We have a knowledgeable staff that love eyewear and are excited to talk about what make our frames unique. We hope that our customers learn something before they leave, regardless of if they have purchased or not. We send out good vibes and trust that the universe will send it back.
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FRANKLY
3994 Fraser St
Vancouver BC
Canada
General Manager Kyle Bray Jackson
Hi Kyle, your store is very clean, but with details that make it truly unique. The idea is that everything has been carefully curated. What’s the concept and philosophy behind this space?
The original inspiration behind Frankly was the blending of the science of lens curvatures with the art and creativity of eyewear. Using those curves and swoops, we designed our shops to guide you through the space, allowing you to touch and see all of our product, as if blending together a jewelry store and an art gallery. We wanted to display the product in a way that really allows you this sense of discovery, where you can seek out and experience different collections of glasses in interesting ways.
Who took care of the interior design? What materials were used. What are the peculiarities and what effect did you want to achieve?
Both of our shops were designed by &Daughters, a Vancouver-based design group that has done such a great job expressing our brand in a retail space. Our Vancouver store invites you in with this amazing lightweight drapery hanging across the ceiling. We then use laminates mixed with a soft velvet shelf wrap on our fixtures to give you this really nice feeling when you’re looking at and picking up the glasses. We really wanted to create a functional, creative, and accessible space.
A shop where you can feel comfortable picking up the glasses, but also a shop that reflects the quality of the product back in the touch and feel of our materials.
By any chance, is there a strong connection with an art form that you particularly like?
I really resonate with live music, music production and sounds that make bodies move in a room collectively (or solo). I also get a lot of inspiration from artists themselves, in how they present their personal style in the past and present day. At Frankly, we see art in all that surrounds us, and we look at fitting a frame to a face as form of sculpture. Frames can pull so many things out of the wearers, be it bits of their personality, or highlighting their features, and when the pieces fit, it’s truly art.
Why the name Frankly?
We’ve always been straight to the point about our glasses and how we help people find the right pair that suits them. This isn’t about the latest fashions and trends, of course we love those too, but what matters more is helping our clients find what’s right for them and their own self expression.
What are your story and your background?
I got a part time job in an optical shop while I was in school for Psychology and fell in love with the industry immediately. Over my 15+ years in the industry, I’ve worked in some of the best optical shops in the world, under some of the best Opticians, and managed a multi-doctor Optometry practice which has broadened my knowledge in the industry. I met my business partner Darrin while working at an optical shop in BC and we reconnected years later over our love of the industry, and what a shop done our way could look like. This is where Frankly was born.
Where does the passion for beautiful glasses with a particular identity come from?
For me personally, growing up Queer there was always a part of me that I hid to avoid judgment, so confidence in expression and being so loud myself is something that took me a long time to settle into. Finding the beauty in eyewear, whether it’s a bold, one of a kind Kuboraum frame, or a crisp and subtle Annu frame, is really an extension of the person wearing the glasses, and when the connection is made, it’s truly a beautiful thing.
What does Frankly represent for a city like Vancouver and how much have your origins influenced the concept of your store?
While our 2 stores are located in Canada, in Vancouver and Toronto, I think our origins and influence came from a more global outlook. We’ve been in the industry for 15+ years and have kept our eye on what we like, and what we’d do differently. It was always important to us to create a unique and accessible experience that lives at the intersection of art and science. And we’re happy to bring that perspective to Vancouver and Toronto.
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