Page 23 - digital-envision05-2021

Portrait of a Designer

mod. Bijou mod. Shandeh mod. Lana
s Mehran Baghaie waiting for this story (she’s likely to be Prime In another innovation, he achieves a
the devil to knock on his door? Minister one day, he says proudly, unique tortoise shell look on metal
Let’s hope this independent describing her outgoing personality), with the Lana and Debra models
designer—one of our own—keeps this is a gorgeous frame that works (The Lana is named after Lana Belvis
Ihis juice right here in Canada. amazingly well on African American of Inspired Eyes in Kelowna, B.C.).
It’s not that the whole world doesn’t faces. “Women in Georgia are Baghaie says, “As far as I know, no
love Baghaie’s frames. They sell well completely blown away by it,” he says. one else is doing this on metal.” It’s a
into 12 countries, and he won Eyewear “I want to push the envelope,” says beautiful look.
of the Year at the International Baghaie. “For me, boredom would One thing that needs to be made
Optical Fair Tokyo (2001 and 2003), be a death knell. Not everything I entirely clear is that there are
in addition to two consecutive produce is great and much of it is external constraints on Baghaie’s
nominations for the Silmo d’Or not mass market, but it will sing for radical design inclinations, the PORTRAIT OF A DESIGNER
award in Paris. But he is Canadian the right person, in the right colour, major one being his wife and business
and we relish that! depending on their sense of personal partner, Anisa. “My lovely wife is
Baghaie is most definitely ‘one of a style.” the boss, and she insists on only one
kind’ and his design work reflects Another unique frame is the Bijou. radical frame per year. Thanks to
that. This article will focus on his Baghaie sees it as one of his most her, we have mass market appeal in
current design innovations. You can creative pieces. “While there’s not a all our collections.”
learn about his background in our huge market for it, it looks stunning Baghaie appreciates customers who
original profile of him, from 2003. on some people. It can be very take a chance on the more radical
Speaking of international acclaim, masculine or surprisingly feminine. frames. “Some have been great
Made of metal with plastic brow designs and some of them never
let’s talk about the American state of accents, the Bijou really opens up the found their audience. But I always
Georgia. face with its angular corner hinge.” back my clients by telling them
There, in the deep southern U.S., is Here again, we see what a genius they are not going to be stuck with
the proof for Baghaie’s impulse for Baghaie is with colour: the frame a frame that does not sell. I am
experimentation. Loud and radical looks made for a business-like proud of being a small company and
designs excite him even though they person in green, an artsy person in having that kind of control. That is
might be for a niche market. The red and has a Steampunk/industrial what makes us successful.”
Shandeh is indeed a loud piece. A look in blue. From a distance it Having people wear and praise his
modified cat eye with a super-bold may not be obvious that part of the frame creations is still a thrill for
angular brow piece that in some allure of this frame is the technique Baghaie, after more than 25 years
colours and on some faces speaks of used to burnish the colour, giving it in the business. He certainly is as
anger, and is almost witchy, Shandeh a ‘worn’ finish. Baghaie extends this fresh as ever, and interviewing him
looks spectacular and glamourous technique to the other metal models for the second time, 18 years later,
on many women! This proves in the Spectacle collection (all was like falling in love all over again.
Baghaie’s claim that there is a client available with this finish in brown). Thank God we have him in Canada!
for (almost) everything. Named “The inconsistency of the colour Will the devil come calling? It’s
after his third child, a delightful gives it extra character, just as the only a matter of time in this age of
girl of three who climbed onto her patina on rusted metal can be a thing consolidation. Let’s savour and support
dad’s lap as we were interviewing for of beauty,” he says. him while we can. He’s a gem!!” l
E

Original profile of Mehran Baghaie, from 2003, available at https://bit.ly/2RsmH4b
/ www.ENVISIONMAGAZINE.ca / MAY - JUNE 2021 / 21