If there's one rule in fashion, it's that you should take the concept of rules, chop it up into little pieces, and throw those pieces to the wind. Stylist Irma Martinez has become one of the most sought-out names for celebrity fashion because she encourages her clients to be fearless and bold.  Her message of personal expression and freedom in fashion has garnered a who's who client list that includes Shakira, Sofia Vergara, Pitbull, Marc Anthony, and Eva Longoria.  Her most recent collaboration? As a an eyewear afficionado she was a natural choice to represent the new Transitions brand campaign.

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"I'm constantly on the move from fashion shows to designer showrooms to photo shoots, which can all be in just one day.  Before I got Transitions lenses, I was known for leaving my glasses behind at various places.  I would leave a photo shoot and get a call that I had left my glasses because I switched pairs.  I would wear my progressives to work and then sunglasses outside.  With Transitions, I love that I can go from day to night without thinking about changing my glasses."

The new Transitions Signature VII lenses are not just the best light adapting technology on the market to date, but they have also entered the seriously trending realm of color-tinted lenses. In addition to staple tints of gray and brown, Transitions lenses now come in Graphite Green, adding a color tint that not only provides enhanced contrast and visual performance, but adds an element of style that Martinez and fashion fiends can't get enough of.  "I enjoy that they come in various colors so that I can mix and match with many frame styles and colors.  Right now, I'm in love with a pair of rose quartz Prada frames that pair perfectly with Transitions brown.  Plus, with rose quartz as the Pantone Color of the Year, I know my pair is fashion forward and stylish.  It's a bonus that my Transitions block 100% of the sun's harmful UV rays, which is so important living in Miami."

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As a stylist to some of the most glamorous beauties in the world of music and TV, Martinez has a few tricks of the trade to enhance the way eyewear can enhance your look:

• Use a concealer one shade lighter than your skin to make sure that you mask any under-eye imperfections that could be highlighted by an oversize lens.
• Line the waterline with a gold, rose-gold or cream eyeliner.  It makes the whites of your eyes look brighter.
• Find a good waterproof mascara that doesn't flake so you won't have any residue on your glasses. 

Hanging out on the set of the Transitions photo shoot via

We're launching a new feature on the blog today, bringing you advice on the top trends and technology in eyewear straight from the people who know it best, your optometrists!  If you are active on Instagram you'll definitely recognize our first featured OD; with over 2,000 followers, Dr. Fartash posts daily as @glamoptometrist about her favorite eyewear and eye-themed fashion.  She is a 2nd generation optometrist, born and raised in Orange County, California.  A graduate of SCCO (Southern California College of Optometry), she practices in both optical and private practice settings, as well as doing bedside exams at nursing facilities.  "What drove me to start a blog and Instagram was my passion for fashion.  Luckily, in optometry we are able to have both worlds collide."



Current Eyewear: As I am writing this I am wearing my Dolce & Gabbana horned rimmed ophthalmic glasses.  I have recently been more daring in the frames I wear and choose to live in color! So most of the newer frames I wear have lots of personality, like my pink Cartier [above] and red SEE glasses [below]. 

Dolce & Gabbana frames (left) and SEE frames (right)

Tom Ford Sunglasses

It's that time of year again.  That's right, flexible spending account season, as it's known in the healthcare industry.  Most flex spending accounts expire on December 31st, so for many people who wear glasses this is the perfect time of year to make your purchase!  Due to the high demand of the season, expect your local doctor's office or frames retailer to be running discounts or sales, making this a great time to also get a good deal.

For the holiday season, bold designs and colors continue to dominate the eyewear industry.  Here are some of my best-sellers!

• ROBERT MARC: Branded as the eyewear line of choice for the stars, the quality of these frames is hard to beat.  This year's line features several styles in a colored tortoise pattern.  The red tortoise (below) and their olive green "jungle tortoise" are two of my favorites.  The only drawback on these frames is the pricetag, but the fit and design are truly impeccable.  

• TIFFANY'S: The company's newly launched eyewear line features their classic robin's egg blue color scheme, as well as familiar accents in silver such as the heart locket and key motifs.  This frame line has been very popular at my office because the brand is so distinctive. People can recognize that shade of blue from across the room.

• PRODESIGN: If you want bold color, no one does it better than Danish based Prodesign.  I find their frame shapes are very angular, but for those people with oval or round shaped faces they are a perfect fit.

With school in full swing and popular television shows like "Glee" back from summer hiatus, the current "geek chic" trend in fashion and eyewear is popping up everywhere.  Let me spin a little tale for you (true of course!):
Mom and teenage daughter come in, eye exam goes great, and daughter needs an update in her glasses prescription.  I walk mom and daughter to optical, and then help as they debate glasses choices.  Mom finds an attractive purple plastic frame.  Daughter refuses to try it on.  She only wants to look in the men's section.  She only wants to see the BIGGEST glasses we have.  Then she finds the jackpot:  the glasses I like to refer to as "glasses for the elderly male that gets the same glasses every year" or "old reliable" for short.  The eye size is so large that the glasses literally devour her face; she loves them.  Mom doesn't.  They leave without buying anything.

Old Reliable comes in 2 standard colors: silver or gold.  Sometimes even having those two choices is more than some men want.

What did we just witness? Well, for one this is classic mom and teenage daughter in optical interaction.  But in this case, we are specifically witnessing "geek chic" fashion!  Glasses are so indy and alternative!  The uglier and geekier you look the better!  All joking aside, geek chic is a trend that I fully embrace as an eye care provider simply because people are actually wanting to wear their glasses.  The days of being made fun of or ostracized for being a glasses wearer are hopefully fading more and more into the past.  If you can feel stylish and proud of your glasses, well I am all for it!

Anne Hathaway rocking the geek chic style

But wait, in geek chic, glasses are NOT just for your face.  Glasses are popping up everywhere from jewelry to clothing!

Glasses necklace from Forever 21 (I have to admit, I own this)

"Kurt" from Glee wearing Urban Outfitters

And don't forget eye chart wall hangings for your home!