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Sizzling Spectacles: Fashion And The Economics Of Eyewear

Connecticut Public Radio | By Colin McEnroe
Published October 24, 2012 at 12:02 PM EDT
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http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Betsy/Colin%20McEnroe%20Show%2010-24-2012.mp3

Glasses get people talking.

Remember Sarah Palin? Last month, Politico ran an item suggesting that CNN's Wolf Blitzer had picked out new eyeglasses that closely resembled those of much younger, hipper New Yorker politics writer Ryan Lizza.  

Watchers of the cable series "Boss" have grown accustomed to the ever changing eyewear styles worn by the character Kitty O'Neill, played by Kathleen Robertson.
 
One particular pair excited online discussion and turned out to be the "Lucky" model offered in the color champagne by Barton Perreira. Those run about $350, just for the frames. 
 
Barton Perreira has a very high-end exclusive looking website, but the frames are actually made by the company that owns the eyeglass departments of Sears and Target not to mention Lens Crafters and Pearle Vision.
 
Today, we'll look at the business, psychology and future of eyeglasses. Leave your comments below, e-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us@wnprcolin.
Colin McEnroe
Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Colin can be reached at colin@ctpublic.org.
See stories by Colin McEnroe

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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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