Selima Salaun was raised in Tunisia by a family with a background in the optics trade. After studying in France, she left for Paris with her optician’s diploma and started working at Royal Optic. The famous luxury eyewear designer Alain Mikli discovered her soon after.

In 1988, Mikli appointed her to manage his new store in New York. This is when Selima fell in love with New York and decided to make it the base of her future optical chain. She quoted to us: This has always been my way. Once I decide on a goal, I put all my energy into it.

Selima opened her first luxury boutique in Soho in 1993, the current flagship store of her brand. Today, Selima Optique represents 7 shops between the United States and Paris, France. In 1996, Selima launched her first collection of luxury frames with a huge assortment of the very best colors: her signature.

Her luxury boutiques have attracted attention with their eclectic selection of new and vintage frames, some of the very best vintage clothing, hats, jewelry, and even lingerie. Since 2010 Selima has been the treasurer of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. She replied to our two questions:

Editorial | Image Courtesy Of Selima Salaun