Sales Point

Zehra Optik

Posted on by Emre Özden

ZEHRA OPTİK

Innovative Destination Awarded Best Store

“Winning a prestigious the Silmo Award Istanbul represents an indescribable happiness and a great achievement for me. This award showed me that the vision
I have dreamed of has found its true place in the industry and gave me the
courage to do even better.””

Hello Ms. Uzundemir. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us how your journey in the optical sector began?
Hello, I am Zehra Uzundemir. After graduating from the Opticianry program in 2020, I began my journey in the sector. I worked for two years at an optical store in my hometown, which gave me the opportunity to develop my skills both in the workshop and in direct customer interactions. Over time, I realized that helping people and seeing their satisfaction made me even more committed to my profession. I vividly remember delivering glasses to an elderly customer who, upon seeing clearly, expressed her heartfelt gratitude and prayers. That moment deeply moved me and made me understand once again how meaningful my work is for people. I can confidently say that this feeling has been the foundation of my journey in the optical sector.

You opened Zehra Optik in Muğla in 2025. Could you share when and how you decided to start your own store?
The idea of opening my own store began to take shape while I was still a student in the opticianry program. From that time, I imagined a concept that was different from standard stores. I wanted to create a space where people could feel comfortable, at ease, and truly welcome, beyond the usual optical store experience. My early professional experiences helped me refine this vision and guided me on the path I should follow. I aimed to design a store that not only offers products but also listens to customers’ real needs and provides personalized solutions. Over time, these ideas became clear, and with the combination of courage and experience, I was able to bring this vision to life in my own store. Zehra Optik is not just a workplace for me; it is the tangible realization of a dream I have nurtured for years.

Opening a store in Ortaca, where local connections are strong, how does that influence your relationships with customers and your business?
Ortaca has a close-knit social fabric where people know each other and trust is highly valued, which provided a solid foundation as I established my store. I have the chance to closely observe my customers’ expectations, daily habits, and needs. This allows me to offer not just products but also genuine guidance and solutions tailored to each individual. Over time, the warm and sincere communication we have built has been personally rewarding and has contributed to the stable growth of my store. The strength of the local profile has transformed my work from a simple business venture into a long-term professional journey rooted in trust and meaningful relationships.

Your store’s interior design is truly impressive. Did you work with an interior architect, and how did you develop the concept?
The store’s decoration was extremely important to me, and working with our interior architect, Ms. Dilara Isparta from Lotis Design, was genuinely exciting. From the moment we met, our collaboration felt effortless; sharing similar tastes and perspectives made the process very meaningful for me. This harmony made both designing and implementing the store concept smooth and enjoyable. We aimed for the architectural identity of the store to immediately convey warmth, sincerity, and trust to our customers. The design combines modern and elegant details while ensuring that customers feel comfortable and at ease. As a result, anyone entering the store experiences a positive first impression and feels genuinely valued.

Silmo Award Istanbul 2025 recognized you as ‘The Best Store’. What does this award mean to you and how does it influence your future goals?
Even as a young professional newly entering the optical sector and with my store having been open for only five months, being honored with such a prestigious and internationally recognized award was an indescribable joy and a highly meaningful achievement. I see this award not just as personal recognition, but also as affirmation of the approach I have tried to build and the unique store culture I aimed to create at Zehra Optik. Being acknowledged on such an important platform in a short time gave me tremendous confidence that I am on the right path. The award has strengthened our vision and reinforced our belief in our future goals. It has also inspired us to elevate the quality of our service, expand our product variety, and further innovate. At the same time, it comes with a greater sense of responsibility, as expectations from Zehra Optik are now higher. Moving forward, I want the store to evolve not just as a place to sell products but as a space for guidance and trust, where customers feel supported and valued. This recognition has shown me that the vision I have pursued resonates in the sector and motivates me to strive even further.

When selecting the products and glasses for your store, what criteria are most important to you?
When choosing products, I place great emphasis on brand recognition and reliability. Offering well-known brands allows me to provide customers with strong assurance of quality. At the same time, I do not want to remain solely within the familiar lines, so I make sure to include boutique and unique designs in our selection. Every customer has a different style and need, and being able to offer this variety is very important to me. I also apply the same care to lens selection, considering both visual aesthetics and technical performance. My goal is to ensure that anyone entering the store can easily find options that are both fashionable and suitable for their vision health. Therefore, when curating our collection, I take trends, quality, and customer feedback into account together.

How do customers experience your store? How would you describe your service approach?
Customers visiting the store are first greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I strive to make them feel valued and truly heard, rather than just being part of a sales process. My service philosophy focuses on carefully understanding each customer’s needs and guiding them toward the most suitable solution. I view choosing glasses not only as an aesthetic decision but also as one that impacts daily life quality. Therefore, we take our time, explore options together, and ensure that every customer can make a confident choice. Creating a comfortable environment where people can express themselves freely is very important to me. My ultimate goal is for everyone leaving Zehra Optik to feel assured that they made the right choice and leave with a sense of happiness.

What is your roadmap for Zehra Optik in the coming period?
Our main objective moving forward is to grow steadily while maintaining our customer-focused approach. I plan to integrate more innovative products and unique designs into the store. Additionally, we aim to leverage technology further to enhance the customer experience and strengthen our position as a young and dynamic brand in the sector. I am careful to ensure that every step we take is sustainable and contributes to long-term growth.

Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair took place for the 12th time. What are your thoughts on the fair’s development and its contribution to the sector?
We have seen the Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair grow stronger each year. The fair has become more than a platform for showcasing new products; it is an important gathering point where the pulse of the international optical industry is felt. Seeing different brands, designers, and industry professionals together provides us with inspiration. It also greatly contributes to the exchange of professional knowledge and the development of a shared industry culture. I firmly believe that Silmo Istanbul will continue to increase its international impact in the coming years.

Thank you for your valuable interview. Lastly, what are your thoughts on 4 your eyes?
The optical magazine, 4 your eyes, stands out as an important resource that offers in-depth insights into the sector while keeping up with trends and innovations. For industry professionals like me, it serves as a valuable reference point, helping us stay informed about developments and fostering the flow of knowledge and professional growth. I wish continued success to the team.

JANUARY 2026

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Trends

Mykita

Posted on by Emre Özden

Engineered Minimalism, Evolving Aesthetics

Mykita

From material innovation to quietly radical design, Mykita continues to redefine contemporary eyewear through precision engineering, refined aesthetics, and a forward-looking approach that seamlessly bridges optical and sun collections.

Mykita has established itself as a contemporary design authority in eyewear, widely regarded as a reference point for precision-driven innovation and independent thinking. Founded in Berlin in 2003 by Moritz Krueger, the brand operates at the intersection of engineering, craftsmanship, and progressive aesthetics, supported by a fully integrated production model in which all collections are handmade at the Mykita Haus, enabling complete control over design and manufacturing while remaining uncompromising in its values. Rather than following seasonal trends, Mykita has built its reputation through a holistic design philosophy rooted in material research, technical refinement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, where patented engineering solutions and a tailored approach to form and fit result in eyewear that feels purposeful, enduring, and precisely considered. This commitment, reinforced by transparency around environmental and social responsibility, continues to strengthen the brand’s global credibility, positioning Mykita as one of the most influential and fast-growing reference names in contemporary eyewear. Entering 2025, Mykita expanded its design narrative through a series of clearly defined launches, including Amber Havana, Mykita RX Lessrim, and the Lite Powder collection. Each concept introduced a distinct material or surface exploration, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to precision, reduction, and refined aesthetics across optical frames. As the year progresses toward its close, these launches collectively reflect a period of focused development and creative clarity, setting the tone for a seamless transition into the next design chapter. Looking ahead, Mykita approaches 2026 with a sense of continuity rather than disruption. The direction feels assured and forward-moving, guided by the same principles of restraint, material intelligence, and technical elegance. Without the need for overt statements, the brand signals an evolution shaped by confidence, depth, and a clear understanding of its design language.

A Productive Year, Defined by Purpose
Throughout 2025, Mykita has demonstrated a confident design momentum, expanding its collections through carefully considered concepts that explore material, surface, and proportion. One of the last year’s standout developments comes in the form of Amber Havana, a contemporary reinterpretation of tortoiseshell. Deep amber tones enriched with subtle red inflections bring warmth and depth to acetate frames, offering a modern expression of a timeless eyewear staple. The colour story feels bold yet restrained, designed for wearers who embrace colour with quiet confidence. Combined with Mykita’s Acetate design language and the integrated Endura hinge, these frames balance refined aesthetics with engineered comfort and long-term resilience.

Precision takes centre stage in Mykita Rx Lessrim, a collection that reimagines rimless eyewear through a distinctly modern lens. Stripped of traditional conservatism, Lessrim introduces an ultra-fine stainless steel rim that delicately traces the lens edge, creating an almost invisible silhouette. The result is eyewear that enhances natural expression rather than dominating it. Refined metallic hues and subtle bicolour combinations contribute to an understated luxury, while the near-weightless construction delivers all-day comfort. Lessrim stands as a clear expression of Mykita’s ability to rethink established categories through design clarity and technical finesse. Another defining chapter of 2025 is Mykita Lite Powder, set for release in October. With its pioneering use of powder coating in eyewear, the collection introduces a new surface language that challenges conventional stainless steel aesthetics. The innovative finish allows for a distinctive colour palette while maintaining the Lite collection’s signature lightness. Subtly convex forms create a soft, rounded three-dimensional presence, evoking traditional wireframe glasses while pushing them into unexpected chromatic territory. Pastel tones and clear powder coatings over champagne gold add depth and tactility, reinforcing Mykita’s material-driven approach to progressive design.

Brand Codes Evolving This Season
Building on this momentum, Mykita enters 2026 with a series of launches that extend its design philosophy into new expressions for both sun and optical eyewear. Lessrim Sun translates the precision of the optical concept into a capsule of sunglasses defined by clarity, reduction, and a quietly radical edge. The ultra-thin stainless steel rim disappears into the lens groove, creating a sleek and near-invisible outline. A restrained palette of dark matt tones, subtle metallics, and sophisticated bicolour contrasts reinforces the collection’s cosmopolitan character. Five unisex shapes interpret the Lessrim language through distinctive geometries, enhanced by gradient lenses that add depth without overpowering the minimalist architecture. The result recalls contemporary jewellery in its balance of understatement and character. With Lite Acetate Sun, Mykita introduces a sculptural exploration of acetate infused with a Seventies sensibility. Warm Amber and deep Black Havana fronts set an atmospheric tone, while the brand’s signature hybrid construction pairs expressive acetate with sleek stainless steel temples. The silhouettes reference iconic shapes through a distinctly modern filter, resulting in sunglasses that feel polished, lightweight, and effortlessly wearable. Retro cues are present, but always refined, reflecting Mykita’s ability to balance nostalgia with precision engineering. Colour takes a bolder turn in Lite Powder Optical Neon Pink, where the collection’s minimalist wireframe aesthetic meets a vivid new hue. Joining the existing pastel palette, Neon Pink brings an unexpected energy to Mykita’s powder-coated silhouettes. In the campaign, the new color introduced on the panto-shaped Aita model from the Lite Powder frames also extends to the other two designs in the series, the aviator Tosca and the hexagonal Santo. Lightweight, modern, and playful, the concept reinforces Mykita’s willingness to challenge visual codes without compromising design integrity.

January 2026

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