We recently connected with Selima Salaun and have shared our conversation below.
Selima , appreciate you joining us today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business
I have been in business for 30 years now (Oh God!) and I have, of course, tons of stories (I should definitely write a book!) but the story, actually the two stories that always bring a huge smile on my face are these:
The first one is about a young man in the L train who posted a ‘research notice’ about a young woman who was sitting not too far from him. He wrote something like “the train was full but we locked eyes and we could not help but smile and we exchanged mental high fives because we were both wearing Selima Optique glasses which was a sign of our exquisite taste”.
They came to visit me at my Soho location after he found her. They started dating. Their story literally made me cry.
The second one is also about another love story (how romantic am i): a couple came to visit me to tell me that they had met on a beach in Bermuda. They were both wearing my frames and they started talking about them.
Now they were getting married and they came to thank me.
Selima , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a licensed optician and optometrist who was a brand ambassador for a French luxury eyewear brand. I was opening the retail locations for that brand worldwide but fell madly in love with NYC and decided to stay here and open my own company called “Selima Optique”.
I started with my first store in Soho in September 1993 and I have now 4 stores in NYC and 2 in Paris.
I carry quite a few brands in my stores and I have one of the biggest vintage eyewear archive in the World.
I was hoping to open the first Eyewear Museum in Soho but I backed out when I realized the insane amount of administrative paperwork involved.
I also have my own brand and most of the styles are timeless: I did the glasses for Carolyn Kennedy (the Aldo style) I also did Ryan Gosling’s frames in the movies Crazy Stupid Love (the Chad style) and Drive (the Money style) and they are all still in our best seller list.
I just won the “Ultimate Accessory” award at the last Optical show in NYC for the sunglasses I made for Emma Stone in the Poor Things movie (the Bella style).
One very important thing that I (and my team) love to do: we have a bespoke Atelier and we can make any frames you want and we can also engrave any message you would like inside the temples.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Interestingly, it is and has always been word of mouth. A happy client will always talk about his/ hers experience and will always recommend you.
I always tell my clients: please do not keep us as your best kept secret!
We also have IG/ FB/ a website/ articles in the press….but nothing beats the old school “word of mouth” way.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
There are many stories. You cannot be in business and not experience failure.
The amazing thing is that in NYC, people respect you and never judge you when you fail.
When September 11 2001 happened, I was supposed to do an interview for a prestigious magazine and was supposed to meet the buyers of a fashion company to sell my collection that had just landed from Japan (back then I was producing in three countries: France, Italy, Japan).
Obviously everything fell apart but I had to learn to not give up.
I kept on going to work. I kept on believing.
And it worked. Clients came just sometimes for a hug.
There was a sense of community that was magical and touching.
I LOVE NYC!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://selimaoptique.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selimaoptique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SelimaOptique/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selima-salaun-7b29a0a1/
- Twitter: x.com/selimaoptique?s=11&t=noex4ho0QdDbsHpaPwn75Q
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Selimaoptique–0-0–?app=desktop
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/selima-optique-new-york-2?start=40
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5G4hWze2uw
Image Credits
We will get back to you Asap on those.