With its characteristic avant-garde lines, Rick Owens continues the brand’s gothic and industrial aesthetic in its eyewear designs. Sculptural forms, dark tones and striking silhouettes bring the brand’s dark romanticism to the world of sunglasses. These unisex sunglasses by Rick Owens appeal to a sophisticated style with their black surgical stainless steel frame and details on the frame.
March 2025
Bringing haute couture touches to sunglasses, Dior redefines elegance with architectural forms. Modern interpretations of classic lines bring luxury and innovation together in perfect balance. This sporty sunglasses model named Pacific by the fashion giant can accompany your wardrobe as one of the most ideal examples of luxury sportiness with its blue and white color options in addition to black.
March 2025
Burberry reinterprets its British heritage with modern lines, emphasizing its iconic patterns and exquisite craftsmanship in its sunglasses. Rich materials and sophisticated details continue to bring together the brand’s deep-rooted style codes with a new generation of luxury. Reflecting Burberry’s design approach, these mirrored lens sunglasses are a great alternative for all eyewear lovers.
March 2025
Interpreting Scandinavian minimalism with original touches, Acne Studios reshapes modern aesthetics with its bold silhouettes. The Charm, which skillfully blends masculine and feminine lines, offers a great alternative to eyewear lovers, while warming the hearts with its heart detail at the temple. Acne Studios has literally made this stainless steel framed design an element of charm.
March 2025
Brett Eyewear welcomes 2025 with Duke, its latest creation for free spirits, a striking blend of retro charm and sporty sophistication. The bold all-acetate front is perfectly paired with ultra-thin stainless steel temples, finished with spatula-shaped tips for a seamless fit under a helmet. Whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, surfing or touring on your bike, the Duke promises both functionality and aesthetic.
March 2025
Offering the perfect combination of high crafts and art, Alessia Alizé combines classic elegance with contemporary details in eyewear designs. The elegant forms emphasize the brand’s timeless design approach. This triangular form interpretation sunglasses named Hell symbolizes the combination of acetate and metal. The model is gothic inspired with its ring details and color on the lower frame.
March 2025
With a romantic and bold sense of style, Valentino continues to carry the spirit of couture in its sunglasses. Large frames, delicate details and an eye-catching color palette reinforce the brand’s timeless elegance with modern touches. Ideally reflecting the Italian high fashion perception with its entire design language, these oversized sunglasses are waiting for you to crown your effortless elegance.
March 2025
Inspired by the legendary swan, these unique Swarovski sunglasses represent love, joy and eternal beauty. This extraordinary design is finished with the silhouette of the swan in gunmetal gray on each temple, which is elegantly curved and embellished with black crystals in snowflake pavé settings, as well as mask-shaped gray lenses. Swarovski honors its most famous emblem with this style.
March 2025
Thanks to Silmo Istanbul, which brings together the leaders of the industry, we can easily seize opportunities for growth, progress, and renewal.
Hello, Mr. Erkan. Could you introduce yourself a little? How did your path cross with the optical industry?
Hello, I was born in 1985 in Gaziantep. I am married and have three children. My parents are also originally from Gaziantep, and since I had a father who came from a merchant background, I grew up both studying and working from a young age. This allowed me to gain experience in different sectors. My introduction to the optical industry dates back to 2004. That year, I started working with Mrs. Arzu, whom I am still proud to call my first mentor. She helped me learn the trade from its very core. I crowned this valuable journey by earning my Opticianry Diploma in 2020. After dedicating 17 years to the optical industry, I established my own store, Riva Optik, in 2021.
You opened the first concept store in Gaziantep. What vision led to the birth of Riva Optik?
Gaziantep is a unique city, but I observed for years that the retail approach in the optical sector was far from innovative. I did not want to adopt a uniform and conventional store model. My vision for Riva Optik was to create a store that stands out from the ordinary-one that is innovative and open to change. With this goal in mind, I opened Gaziantep’s first concept store in 2021. As a boutique store, our objectives revolve around answering key questions: How can we advance further in the industry? How can we provide quality products to all budgets and customers? This mindset keeps us motivated and open to new innovations.
What are the key features that distinguish Riva Optik from other boutique stores?
Our store is designed as a four-story boutique concept, catering to all customers and budgets. We have a children’s section on the upper floor, where families with children can enjoy a play area that makes shopping a pleasant experience for both kids and parents. For our high-end clientele, we have created a private area on the lower floor, offering a more personalized and prestigious service. Meanwhile, our mid-range customers are welcomed on the ground floor, which has a carefully curated, aesthetic, warm, and inviting atmosphere. This setup allows us to serve every customer segment and make shopping more enjoyable and comfortable. Additionally, we customize lenses and frames by adding small touches to well-known brands, a service we showcase on our website. As a result, we receive significant interest not only from our local area but also from customers outside the city, to whom we also offer services.
What were your key considerations when choosing the store’s location? Are there any aspects you were unwilling to compromise on?
Riva Optik is a street-level store. Although shopping malls are often associated with modernity and innovation, I do not feel the same way. For me, warmth and sincerity are essential to retail. I wanted a store where I could establish strong, long-term relationships with customers-not just a place for transactions. That’s why I chose a street location instead of a shopping mall. I firmly believe that street stores suit Gaziantep’s shopping culture better than malls. My goal was to build lasting customer relationships at Riva Optik, and I am proud to say that we have achieved this.
What are the most popular optical and sunglasses brands in your store? What factors influence their popularity?
The most preferred optical and sunglasses brands in our store include: Tom Ford, Zilli, Silhouette, Flair, Maybach, Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Lacoste, Alexander Wintsch, Burberry, Modo, and Fisher-Price In lens brands, we offer brands such as Essilor, Hoya, Zeiss, and Rodenstock. The main reason customers prioritize these brands is their high quality and durability, which make them stand out in the industry.
What kind of services do you offer to enhance the customer experience after the sale?
For customers who purchase from our store, we provide monthly maintenance and repair services free of charge. We also track the lifespan of their lenses and send reminders when replacements are needed. Additionally, we offer exclusive accessories and personalized storage cases to make sure customers remember us fondly. We even design custom accessories featuring their names and our store’s branding, ensuring that both the accessories and our store remain popular within their social circles.
As an experienced industry professional, what are your thoughts on the Turkish optical industry?
Both lens and frame companies in Turkey are slightly behind the international market, mainly due to our dependence on imported raw materials. Since most raw materials come from abroad, we often work with semi-finished products, which unfortunately slows down progress in the sector. However, in recent years, local companies have been making more conscious investments, leading to a revival of domestic production. This has helped reduce our dependency on imports, proving that Turkey is gaining strength in the optical industry.
Do you follow international optical fairs and industry trends?
Yes, I try to attend the Mido Fair in Italy and the Silmo Paris Fair every year. In addition to these fairs, I visit other countries before and after the events to explore new innovations and trends in the optical sector, and striving to bring new and different ideas to the my business. I can proudly say that I have not missed an international fair in recent years. Each of these fairs broadens my perspective, and I strive to implement the innovations I discover in my store.
The 11th edition of the Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair took place last November. What are your thoughts on this event?
Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair is strengthening its international identity each year. With a growing number of international exhibitors and visitors, I believe it plays a crucial role in promoting both Turkey and Turkey’s optical industry. Besides being an excellent platform for networking, it contributes significantly to our national economy. This fair connects industry leaders, creates opportunities for growth and renewal, and allows us to see the latest innovations firsthand. It also enables us to introduce new brands into our stores, making it an invaluable event for industry professionals.
Thank you for this valuable interview. We would also like to know your thoughts on our magazine, 4 your eyes?
I have been a loyal reader of 4 Your Eyes for years, and now I am even more delighted to be featured with my store, Riva Optik. Your magazine is an essential resource for the entire optical industry-not just for retailers like us, but also for manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers, students, designers, and artisans. You also provide invaluable content for those who cannot attend fairs and industry events, keeping them informed. Thank you for your contributions to the sector, and I wish you continued success for many years to come.
March 2025
Thanks to Silmo Istanbul, we have had the opportunity to expand and grow our export channels. We see our annual participation as a key part of our growth and contribution to the industry.
Hello, Mr. Fatih. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and share how you entered the optical industry?
Hello. I am originally from Oltu, Erzurum. After living in Iskenderun for many years, I continued my journey in the business world by gaining experience in Istanbul. I was first introduced to the optical industry in the 2000s while working as a shopping mall manager when I was involved in leasing a large optical store. My first step into the industry was when I took on an executive role at one of a major optical and pharmacy chain. Before establishing TR90 and metal manufacturing facilities, I opened several optical retail stores to enhance my experience in the industry. My journey in the optical sector, combined with my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for innovation, laid the foundation for Anatolia Ventures Optik (TR90) and Gözen Optik (Metal). These factories not only focus on production but also serve as bridges that carry Turkey’s domestic optical industry to the global stage.
Could you tell us about the core values and vision of Anatolia Ventures Optik?
Our business is built on the principles of fairness, honesty, and transparency. While providing industry-leading solutions through our innovative approaches, we always prioritize sustainability and social responsibility. As we take Turkey’s local strength to global markets, we uphold an ethical corporate culture without compromise. By placing innovation at the core of our business model, we aim to enhance our production capacity to meet world standards. We strive to offer designs that are lightweight, durable, and aligned with global trends, fulfilling both functional and aesthetic expectations of our customers. Our goal is not only to be a manufacturer and supplier in the optical industry but also to be a leader and source of inspiration. We aspire to leave a lasting mark in the global market as a key player in making Turkey a recognized brand in the optical sector. With this vision, we promise our customers not just products but also value and commitment.
What kind of management strategy do you implement to accelerate your growth?
We adopt strategies based on data-driven decision-making, innovation-driven production, and a customer-oriented approach. In our management philosophy, we prioritize technological investments and R&D efforts to continuously improve our business processes. Additionally, by closely following industry trends, we aim to achieve a competitive position in the global market and establish long-term, trust-based relationships with our business partners. We invest in the training and development of our employees to enhance their competencies, while maintaining a fair, transparent, and results-oriented approach for sustainable growth. Having provided special projects, partnerships, and service solutions to domestic and international firms for nearly 20 years, I believe my experience in consultancy and training has played a significant role in our success, saving us both time and resources.
Could you tell us about your factory’s production capacity, the materials you use, and your quality standards?
Our factory is evolving into a modern, high-capacity production facility specializing in both TR90 and metal frame manufacturing. Our goal in the near future is to produce over 1 million frames annually, meeting national and international market demands. In TR90 production, we use original Swedish raw material Fuchs EMS, known for its flexibility, durability, and lightweight properties. In metal production, we use premium materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium to create durable, stylish, and ergonomic frames. For acetate and Ultem frames, we prefer to use these materials particularly in the temples of TR90 and metal frames to achieve more elegant and unique designs. Our factory adheres to CE and ISO certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality standards. Rigorous quality control procedures are applied at every stage, from raw materials to the final product. Thanks to our innovative production technologies and experienced team, we deliver the best products to our customers on time and flawlessly.
Let’s talk about the brands within your portfolio and their standout features…
Our brands are not just products but tangible reflections of our commitment to quality, design, and innovation. Each one represents a unique story, a market need, and a deep vision that contributes to the industry. Oppia combines durability and lightness with TR90 and metal frames, offering maximum comfort for daily use. T.Flex adapts to the fast pace of modern life with its flexible structure, blending elegance and practicality. Morandi merges functionality and aesthetics with TR90 Clip-on sunglasses and TR90 Plus frames, while also featuring imported acetate, metal, and Ultem frames that bring global fashion trends to users. Newrose harmonizes elegance and strength with its titanium facet frames. O.Marines and Le Club reflect the spirit of Italian fashion icons, representing modern style in both optical and sunglasses. These brands are among Turkey’s few distinguished labels. Additionally, as Anatolia Ventures, we plan to introduce a major niche brand targeting the upper segment in the coming years. With our new brands, we will further elevate our approach to quality, design, and innovation.
What differentiates Anatolia Ventures Optik from other manufacturers and suppliers?
By integrating the strengths of our TR90 and metal factories, we enhance efficiency at every stage, from production to the supply chain. This dual-production infrastructure enables us to offer a broad product range and quickly provide high-quality solutions to meet diverse customer needs. With the power of our two factories, we have succeeded in being more than just a supplier-we have become a reliable business partner. Unlike our competitors, we leverage our strong production capacity and industry experience to achieve sustainable growth in both local and international markets.
Could you share your efforts to expand your sales and distribution network?
Our greatest strength lies in our extensive international connections, which date back many years. Our close relationships with key figures in the Italian market, in particular, give us a significant advantage. We continue to strengthen our presence in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. In Turkey, we reach optical stores through our valuable sales team and dealership network. We operate with a business model that ensures fast delivery, continuous stock availability, and rapid response to customer demands. We will soon provide services on digital platforms via B2B channels.
As one of the exhibitors, how do you evaluate the Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, which was held for the 11th time last November?
Since its inception, the Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair has become the most significant meeting point for the optical industry in Turkey and the region. Initially, it had a more local identity, but over the years, it has transformed into an international attraction. With an increasing number of participants from the Middle East, and to a lesser extent from Europe and Asia, it has assumed a regional leadership role. I believe the fair has contributed to raising design and quality standards. As a newly established company, our second participation in Silmo Istanbul helped us gain recognition and allowed our products and new designs to reach both local and international buyers. Thanks to Silmo Istanbul, we have had the opportunity to expand and grow our export channels. We see our annual participation as a key part of our growth and contribution to the industry.
Thank you for your valuable interview. Lastly, what are your thoughts on 4 your eyes?
Your content contributes greatly to industry knowledge-sharing by appealing to both professionals and a broad audience interested in the sector. The detailed analyses, interviews, and trend reports in your magazine make it easier for us to follow industry developments and inspire new ideas. 4 your eyes Optical Magazine serves as an important bridge, amplifying the industry’s voice and bringing key players together. As Anatolia Ventures Optik, we appreciate the opportunity to be featured in this high-quality publication and wish you continued success.
March 2025
