While the near and far-sighted still wear glasses to correct eyesight, in recent decades, fabulous frames have also become popular for fashion and stylistic reasons, a trend highly linked to emerging and remembered designs. Glasses have evolved into must-have fashion accessories, and the fast-rising popularity of designer eyewear has become synonymous with Fabulous Fanny's, a prominent figure for vintage, reproduction, and hard-to-find frames over the last 30 years. 

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The brand was started in 1993 by two friends, Ken Finneran and Stan Blackmer, who came together over their love for vintage eyewear. Ken and Stan decided to sell through a stall at New York's legendary Chelsea Flea Market, where Andy Warhol used to uncover vintage treasures. Surprisingly, they weren't the only people who adored the vintage eyewear, and as they began to sell out week after week, they decided to expand from their small booth to a store in East village, which they named after Stan's pet macaw, Fanny.

Heralded as the "Best Eyeglass Shop in NYC" by Gothamist, The Wall Street Journal, Thrillist, Glamour, and The New York Times, Fabulous Fanny is renowned worldwide for its iconic eyewear. Their classic reproductions are hand-finished and gallery-glossed in either Italy or Japan, and they curate only quality vintages inspired by history's most famous eyewear, making their designs stand out. Rather than constructing a mere look-alike of the original, they mash up aged with modern styles to create something renewed, memorable, and distinct. 

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To mark their 30th year, Fabulous Fanny's has unveiled a stunning collection of six specs that honors the formidable faces of free-spirited artists shaping today's fashion and entertainment worlds, such as Marilyn Monroe. In reverence of this esteemable event, Fabulous Fanny's has created two eyewear frames in Monroe's honor, the Norma Swarovski Crystals and the Jeane. The design is available in black, green, red, yellow, champagne, Tokyo tortoise, crystal, black marble, USA tortoise, salmon, and bubble gum.

The collection also has a piece inspired by celebrated actor Gregory Pecks. The Gregory glasses honor Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch. They are available in nine striking colors: red, yellow, Tokyo tortoise, crystal, black marble, green, black, USA tortoise, and salmon. Other pieces include LENNON, inspired by John Lennon's love of round glasses; BURNS, Inspired by top comedian and entertainer George Burns; and AVA, inspired by the beautiful and talented Ava Gardner's classic cat eye style.

Fabulous Fanny's has also re-imagined several unique frames that are standard in their shop, including Jeane, Vito, Luca, Norma Swarovski Crystals, OOPS!, Gregory, and Winston, all classic reproductions. They have also fashioned several original vintages; Ultra LIDO, Cazal Sunglass Silhouette Aviator, and many more.

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"After a lifetime of creation in the eye care business, I retired in 2014. But something brought me back, and that was an opportunity to acquire Fabulous Fanny's, the beloved NYC vintage eyewear store. After creating numerous eyewear businesses, this is the first opportunity I have ever had to own a unique eyewear product and retail store that sells true vintage. The excitement generated by both our sales team and our customers brings new thrills. Selling one-of-a-kinds - like a 1980s never-worn Balenciaga - or the thousands of other tiny treasures tucked into our little "gem" of a store still makes my heart beat," says the owner of Fabulous Fanny's, Robert Hillman, a legend in the world of retail eyewear, and one that is ingrained in America's eyewear consciousness. 

After founding his groundbreaking brand Pearl Vision, Hillman grew it into the largest franchised optical retailer in North America, operating 110 corporate stores and 419 franchises. It was acquired by Luxottica in 2004. He then created Eyelab, the first optical superstore, followed by Hillman/Kohan, which contained a sense of theater and fashion. Those landmark locations mark just a few of Hillman's incredible innovations and accomplishments, and his track record spans more than five decades with more than a dozen companies in USA and China, including Robert Hillman Eyeglasses, Pearle Vision, Spex, Custom Optics, Optimum Optics, Eyelab, CK Trading, and more. 

So it's clear to all who see Hillman knows his eye wear.

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And he's starting all over again with his acquisition of Fabulous Fanny's just as it makes its grand entry into its third decade. A treasure for those in the know, a landmark to New Yorkers, a vital resource for film, fashion, television, and theater costume designers, and an indispensable home to all who aim to stand out from the jam-packed, Fabulous Fanny continues to provide peepers of quality with unique designs. The brand even offers a free home try-on option, so you are guaranteed to get the look you long for. 

"Whether you find your fabulous pick in our East Village store or discover our designs in one of our independent eyewear partners or on our website, one thing remains non-negotiable- you'll ever be accused of being unoriginal," expresses Robert Hillman.

Styles are available online, or visit their specialty retail shop located at 335 East 9th Street in New York City. For more, visit https://fabulousfannysnyc.com