The budget designer eyewear brand behind Peaky Blinders' Tommy Shelby's iconic season six glasses has opened a gorgeous boutique in Manchester. IOLLA was founded in Scotland, but has now made its way to the UK's most fashionable city (not that we're biased or anything).
Scottish-born IOLLA, the brains behind Cillian Murphy’s striking specs in the hit crime drama, is opening its first English store in St Ann’s Square. The brand will introduce Mancs to a new way of buying, by offering premium glasses and sunglasses for a single price point. Unlike many other high street brands, IOLLA keep their pricing simple and honest by refusing to include hidden costs or added extras, meaning that prescription lenses and coatings are all included within the £85.
IOLLA will be recognisable after being approached by BAFTA nominated Costume designer Alison McCosh to create a pair of frames for the one and only Tommy Shelby to wear in the fifth series of Peaky Blinders. Now fans of the show in Manchester, where several Peaky Blinders scenes were shot, can get their hands on a pair of IOLLAs inspired by Tommy’s glasses.
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Named the MacDonald, the glasses boast a perfectly round frame and iconic vintage style. When the store launches in August, IOLLA customers will get the chance to experience an instore ‘styling session’ with an IOLLA eyewear expert, who will use their expertise to help customers find their perfect pair.
Manchester Evening News took a look inside the store before anyone else. Inside you'll find an expansive range of different styles dotted around the walls of the boutique.
There's a style to suit pretty much everyone. Whether you want something a little tame for the office, or a more outrageous pair for a fabulous event, you'll find something.
There's both sunglasses and glasses available, and you can opt to get them with a prescription or without. If you do want prescription glasses, be sure to take it along with you, as the store does not offer eye tests.
The price point is also really good value for money. With glasses and prescription lenses included for £85 - the retailer is a solid competitor for the likes of Specsavers and Optical Express,
Stefan Hunter, CEO at IOLLA, said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching our first store outside of Scotland, and where better than Manchester? One of the fashion capitals of the UK – and the perfect launch location for IOLLA south of the border.
We can’t wait to bring our range of high quality, affordable glasses to the city – including our MacDonald frames, inspired by Tommy Shelby’s glasses worn in series five of Peaky Blinders. We know Manchester has a link to the show already, so feel confident that they’ll be a popular choice with locals!
“With an enormous range of frames and colours, we guarantee that there are several options for everyone – enabling you to find plenty of styles handpicked for your own personal look.”
IOLLA opens to the general public in Manchester on Friday August 5th.
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