Dec 2017

Jason Kirk flies in for opening
UK frame designer, Jason Kirk, from Kirk and Kirk Eyewear,
flew in from the UK to help open Michael Holmes
Premium Eyewear’s second practice in St Heliers,
Auckland. Nearly 100 people attended the October opening
event, including local retailers, Michael Holmes’ customers and
local ophthalmologists, who joined in the celebrations with
co-owners Michael Holmes and Kay McFarlane, their team and
Kirk.
Best known for their award-winning Teed Street practice in
Newmarket, Michael Holmes is the exclusive licensee for Kirk
and Kirk frames in Auckland. McFarlane said they chose to work
with Kirk and Kirk because they are independent designers who
work with independent businesses. “The Kirk and Kirk range is
a unique offering with exciting colour options and styles. The
range has been extremely well received by our customers in
Newmarket and, now in, St Heliers.” Several fans could not resist
purchasing new K&K spectacles on the opening evening, she
added.
Talking to NZ Optics, Kirk said his family has been creating
eyewear for three generations, since Sidney and Percy Kirk
opened their first London workshop in 1919. Jason’s own
optical career took off, when he left his job to sell a case full of
his fathers’ old vintage frames to London fashion designers. He
never looked back.
“I am passionate about glasses, it’s an area that really excites
me. Glasses should not be a grudge purchase, they should make
people feel great. When you feel good in your glasses, you sit up
a bit taller and smile. That is what we are after.”
Kirk works with wife, K&K creative director Karen. “We have a
saying, ‘try to start with something impossible’ which is about
doing something truly new.” Kirk and Kirk produce their eyewear
from start to finish in one factory in France, using special grade
Italian acrylic, he said. “Acrylilc like this had never been done
before. We saw some materials from the ‘50s and ‘60s which
behaved in a similar way and were inspired. We got some acrylic
and took it to a manufacturer who said ‘no way’. We went to
another one, same thing… it was worth it.”
Acrylic is really light-weight, a third of the weight of acetate,
explains Kirk. “Our frames are made the old fashioned way –
hand pinned, hand polished – they stay put once adjusted and
come in a truly unique selection of colours.”
Kirk’s other passion is independent optometry, he said,
adding that he lectures and works closely with independent
optometrists to help improve their offering. He’s excited about
the partnership with
Michael Holmes and
the positive reception
his frames have had in
New Zealand.
“We produce
eyewear that people
are excited about
wearing, and work
with people that share
that passion. We work
really hard to identity
people that give us
that chance.” ▀
Dr Shuan Dai
honoured
Auckland-based paediatric ophthalmologist, Dr Shuan Dai has been
honoured for making a significant contribution to the development
of paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus in China by the
Chinese Ophthalmology Society and Chinese Paediatric Ophthalmology
Society in Shanghai.
Dr Dai was in Shanghai as a speaker and chair for the American
Association of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS)
and Chinese Paediatric Ophthalmology Society Joint Congress. Prior
to the Congress, he attended and spoke at the Asia Pacific Paediatric
Ophthalmology and Strabismus Society Conference in Hong Kong
and after was a keynote speaker at the Beijing University Paediatric
Ophthalmology Seminar in Beijing.
Given his busy schedule, he said he was completely surprised, as were
the other four foreign scholars (three from the US and one from Moorfields
in London) who were also honoured at the AAPOS gala dinner. The only
hint there was something on the cards was the five awardees had been
sat together at the VIP table, he said, adding this was the first time these
awards have been made, and was probably prompted by the combined
and concurrent meetings in the region. “We didn’t know about it. They just
said, at the gala dinner, they wanted to present an award to those foreign
friends who have made a contribution to their Societies’ development and
collaboration with international ophthalmological communities.”
It’s always very nice to be recognised, said Dr Dai, but that’s not what
drives his passion for paediatric ophthalmology. ▀
Dr Dai talked to NZ Optics about his award at the Eye Doctor’s last Grand
Round seminar in November, which will be covered in the February issue.
Kirk and Kirk’s
Gene from its latest
collection
Jason Kirk and Michael Holmes celebrating the new practice opening
The new Kirk and Kirk display at the new
Michael Holmes St Heliers practice
Dr Shuan Dai receiving his unexpected award at the Shanghai AAPOS meeting
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December 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
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