Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/48190
ne Business Alan G Alberto Brioni Canali Citizens of Humanity Coppley David Donahue Diesel Eton Facconable George Roth Hickey Freeman Hugo Boss Jack Victor Patagonia Paul & Shark Ralph Lauren Polo Robert Graham Robert Talbott Stone Rose Tommy Bahama Zanella Z Zegna …and more, all at Giblees Through the Lens: Berberian puts his eyeglass design ideas on paper. frames not only to fit his customers better, but also to be more flattering and more fashion forward. Eventually, he began to dream of starting his own fashion line, but was told from the outset by everyone that without money and connec- tions, his chances were slim. Again, he stuck to his vision. Often, the big-name design- ers who lend their names to eyewear don't actually have any direct knowledge or connection to the industry. Berberian, on the other hand, knew his business, knew what customers liked, and knew what looked and felt good on them. In his mind, the question was not "Why should an optician create designer eyewear?" but "Who else could do it better?" An important step in the process was to find a manufacturer who could not only turn his designs into reality, but do so at an affordable price. The process took four or five years, or as he puts it: "I had to kiss a lot of frogs." Berberian took several disappointing trips overseas to meet with potential manufacturers, during which time, he says, "I burned some bridges, and it's a small industry." Still, he perse- vered and finally found a few manufacturers who understood 85 Andover Street Route 114, Danvers 978-774-4080 giblees.com 86 nshoremag.com December/Holiday 2011 nshoremag.com December/Holiday 2011