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A bad eye sight is all you need to get a pair of glasses. But that was in those days. What obtains now is that anybody can get one for any kind of reason, good, bad and ugly. Even so do they come in varying costs, and sizes depending on your pocket and taste. “It is now more of a fashion statement by top society people, artist and just anybody wishing to create a distinct identity,” said Laz Abraham an optician. He told The Business Eye that he offers consultancy service for public figures in Nollywood, the country's movie industry. Last year when official report estimated annual turnover from the movie as N500 billion, there was much interest in premium sunshade makers from Italy, such as Gucci. The magazine gathered that the Italian outfit was out to secure contract with local movie stars to model for its range of glasses. Though no concrete deal has so far been reportedly made, buffs in the entertainment industry insist that artistes now attach special attention to the varying range of glasses they put on. They come in different sizes, intricately woven frames and are largely dark shades. The most popular are those with broad frames.
One of the ardent wearers of such sunshade is D'Banj, a popular pop musician in the country with international appeal. Effort made to reach the artiste by the magazine yielded no success, but there are major speculations that D'Banj might have special arrangement with Dolce and Gabala, D&G. He is never in public glare without a make of D&G firmly clasped on his face. Another rising star with soft sport for D&G range of glasses is Don J Chiano, a rising music star. Admitting that he does not wear the glasses every time he is in public, he added, however, that wearing glasses is second nature to artistes. “Being the center of focus from many people in the public can exact pressure on an artiste,” he told the magazine. He said that the glasses help a public person scour the crowd without the crowd being aware it is being scrutinized. “It helps you spot the pressman before he spots you and allows the artiste to collect his thoughts before making any response.”
Same might well apply for society people at public events. In such instances, it is never incidental to see wide ranges of glasses from different labels, Adidas, Reebok, Revlon, Maco Bolo, Palomar, St. Loupon, Gucci, Christian Dior, Prada and so on. For this class of people, the seeming high cost is no deterrent. The sales representative, Shades and Colour, Atinuke Fatai, told the magazine that sunglasses start from as low as N2, 000 and rise to N45, 000. “A Revlon cost N6, 500; Palomar goes for N10, 000, while St Loupon is valued at N45, 000.” Solomon Imafidon has over five years experience selling designer sunglasses. Rather than open shop or boutique, he does direct sales to clienteles he knows can afford them. Imafidon goes on the internet to study trends in the industry before deciding on how to buy and sell. “Most times, I get my products from shops in Ikoyi and Victoria Island which I then resell to patrons in blue chip companies, mostly in Lagos”. He explains that sometimes, items he procures for say, N4, 000 are sold for N10, 000 and N15, 000. “There are cases however when you meet people who show too much hunger, and I am able to sell the same products for N25, 000,” he added with mischief boldly written on his face.
The trend is not only common with top stars and high society persons. It is common fad everywhere, even though many might not be able to afford the costly sun shades.
Segun Gaji, 27, and phone and phone accessory seller said he keeps a collection of glasses that he wears on different occasion. He says it makes him look good. “You know ladies like fine guys, so I use it to make me feel I'm attractive to the opposite sex”, he said.
