In Conversation with Bridges & Brows

In the lead up to our ongoing pop-up event, we had the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with Lee, the founder of Columbia Road's vintage eyewear store Bridges & Brows. We discussed his path to starting the store, what drives him, and his reflections on his experience.

Nepenthes London: Can you introduce yourself and where you grew up?

Lee: I grew up in a small village on the outskirts of greater London, close to St. Albans. As soon as I was old enough I would head into central London to enjoy the exciting city and all it offered; the diverse mix of people, music, fashion and nightlife.

Nepenthes London: How did you get into eyewear?

Lee: After a few years of finding my feet and trying to earn a living in different trades, I realised I needed to work for myself. After some travelling I began working in distribution of eyewear. At that time, we worked with Italian manufacturers, and with brands like Moschino, Fendi, Givenchy, Police, and Vivienne Westwood.

Nepenthes London: Can you tell us how Bridges & Brows got started?

Lee: Around the same time I gradually became more and more interested in the history of eyewear. I started collecting vintage frames — brands like Carrera, Porsche and especially Cazal. Initially I created a website selling vintage frames, then started my first shop on Redchurch Street.

Nepenthes London: What prompted you to make the move to Columbia Road?

Lee: After ten very enjoyable years on Redchurch Street, my lease ended and so I began looking around for an alternative location. I was very lucky to meet the owner of the shop I'm in currently on Columbia Road; things fell into place and I'm still here five and half years later.

Nepenthes London: What's special about vintage eyewear?

Lee: Like all things that are no longer in production, vintage eyewear has a certain alluring appeal. The frames often offer something unique; a look that's no longer widely available. Vintage eyewear is only one part of what we do — I also stock twenty or so independently owned brands as well.

Nepenthes London: How would you reflect on your journey so far?

Lee: I have been very lucky to be able to do what I do and still love it. Each day I work in the shop, I'm meeting people who go on to become good friends.

I'm very happy to spend hours with someone to help them find a frame that fits well and gives them the look they desire. Sometimes that might be a subtle, classic pair or a striking, bold statement — each frame is as unique as the person who wears it.

Seven years ago I first ventured into designing frames when I became the eyewear designer for You Must Create. I'm still grateful to them for giving me the opportunity; I hadn't trained for the position, and relied on many years experience selling and collecting frames. That partnership went very well and lasted many years, and resulted in me launching my own range.

Nepenthes London: What's ahead for Bridges & Brows?

Lee: I'm looking forward, as always. New projects are in the pipeline, including making my own bespoke frames. I've been building a workshop in the back of the shop for this purpose. Along with expanding the distribution of my own range, I'm always looking for new brands to add to the store and of course digging for special vintage pieces.

The Bridges & Brows pop-up event is running until April 25th. More information can be found in our blog post here.