InVision

In April, the Edina outpost of InVision greatly improved when it moved down the hall to larger, brighter digs within the Galleria (952-920-5458). The new space is open and airy with oodles of track lighting and glowing chandeliers made from leftover lens blanks. “We even have some natural light,” notes shop owner Anthony Bosca. “That’s huge when you’re trying something that interacts with hair color and skin tone.”

Although Bosca travels to countless trade shows in a perpetual hunt for new frames, he rarely spots the kind he likes. Therefore, his store functions as a repository for his persnickety tastes: well-fitting, handmade glasses in an assortment of classic, often old-fashioned styles. As a result, InVision is an excellent place to chart the subtly shifting trends in eyewear. Shoppers find plenty of the chunky, rectangular looks that have been fashionable for many a year. But you can also easily spot the next long-living fashion: an open, fuller frame last seen in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

For a pinch of adventure, check the store’s French lines: Face à Face ($400–$600) and Beausoleil ($325–$400) are remarkable for their architectural layering of colorful titaniums and acetates. The German lines, meanwhile, push a classic aesthetic: Freudenhaus ($250–$465) favors flat metals and subtle tortoise shell stylings, while Lunor ($500–$700) is a vintage-inspired line made from high-grade steels and genuine golds. Lunor specs are worn by a number of celebrities who fancy a wire-rimmed, professorial look: Steve Jobs, David Letterman, Diane Keaton.

“This is the high-rent district,” cracks Bosca as he approaches two displays near the front of the store. One features Robi Horn’s buffalo horn and tortoise shell frames, selling for upwards of $1,000; the other contains Gold & Wood Paris, a line of lightweight wooden frames starting at $700.

But Bosca saves the best for last—a display of frames by Robert Marc ($425–$600), an American designer with celebrity followers such as Julianne Moore, Katie Couric, Matt Damon, and Diddy. From this vantage, even the far-sighted see tiny virtues: Layers of hand-carved acetate in understated textures and hues add dimension to a series of simple, trend-busting silhouettes. “Robert Marc manages to keep things fresh with color,” says Bosca, “but he never compromises his aesthetic, which is based in tradition.” Other InVision locations: 867 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-291-0318; 11300 Wayzata Blvd., Mtka., 952-591-9567