Opera Opera

Dispensing for three decades from its corner site near the Royal Opera, this family-run business exudes an old-fashioned sense of pride in optical craftsmanship, and even has its own factory turning out the shop’s Harpers range. Control of production not only allows touches like old-fashioned hinges, but also means the shop is geared for bespoke frames – whether to replicate some treasured old specs or copy something you’ve seen perched on a famous nose (John Lennon, Johnny Depp, Buddy Holly). The shops stocks frames based on designs from the ’30s through to the ’80s; its range of rare vintage and retro sunglasses is unbeatable, if you have the cash to splash.