Selima Salaun is a French-born optician and founder of Selima Optique, known for stylish, custom eyewear blending French and New York influences. Her designs have attracted stars like Beyoncé and Madonna, with boutiques in New York and Paris.
HOW DID YOU INITIALLY GET INTRODUCED TO JONATHAN COHEN?
I had, of course, heard and loved the Jonathan Cohen brand through the CFDA and the Vogue fund award but we met in person during a trunk show at the amazing store The Conservatory in Dallas. We had a BLAST and felt like forever friends!
TELL US HOW THE LOOK YOU WERE PHOTOGRAPHED IN RESONATES WITH YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
You know when you try a piece of clothing and feel like it is yours: this is how I felt trying the few magnificent pieces. Everything felt so comfortable. The craftsmanship is impeccable. The prints are so chic and fun at the same time. It was hard having to give them back!
GROWING UP IN FRANCE/NORTH AFRICA ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST, HOW DID YOUR UPBRINGING SHAPE YOUR EARLY SENSE OF STYLE AND FASHION?
Tunisia, with its beaches and mountains along the Mediterranean Coast, introduced me to color and patterns. Paris, with its art and architecture, deepened my appreciation for quality and sophistication. New York inspires me to be true to myself every day.
YOUR MOTHER HAD A WELL-ESTABLISHED CAREER IN THE OPTICAL INDUSTRY, AND YOU FOLLOWED SUIT BY TRAINING IN PARIS. HOW HAS THIS EDUCATION HELPED IN YOUR WORK TODAY?
Being an optometrist and an optician helps me in my design work as I know what is best for my clients and what to avoid. Getting to study in Morez, the birthplace of eyewear, was a little boring… but it helped me tremendously. Like an abstract painter learns to draw first, I needed the fundamentals to create freely. My degree gave me both technical grounding and creative confidence.
YOU STARTED YOUR CAREER IN NYC AT ROYAL OPTIQUE AND MANAGED MIKLI BOUTIQUES. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN NYC INSTEAD OF RELOCATING TO TOKYO?
I started at Royal Optique in Paris, then opened Mikli stores in France and NYC. I was meant to go to Tokyo, but I fell in love with NYC—and my Parisian husband Jean-Marie—so I stayed.
WAS THERE A SPECIFIC MOMENT THAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH SELIMA OPTIQUE IN 1993?
I opened my store in 1993 selling European brands and vintage. When clients began asking for different things, I started making my own frames. Judy Collinson (unknowingly to me, a major figure) bought some pairs and later placed my brand at Barneys, helping me launch.
HOW DO YOU BLEND NEW YORK’S ENERGY AND FRENCH DESIGN INTO YOUR BRAND WHILE STAYING AUTHENTIC?
I draw inspiration from New York’s street style, art, and culture, while maintaining my roots in color, pattern, and craftsmanship. It’s about being bold while honoring quality.
WHAT’S THE TRICKIEST PART OF BALANCING CREATIVE VISION WITH PRACTICAL DESIGN?
The biggest challenge is marrying aesthetics with function—eyewear has to look good and work well. The fun lies in walking that line.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE OFFERING CUSTOM DESIGNS WHILE KEEPING EVERYTHING RUNNING SMOOTHLY?
Custom, collaboration, and signature collections all fuel each other. It’s all part of the same creative river.
WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR COLLABORATION WITH JONATHAN COHEN?
It was fun and inspiring to work with someone who designs so sincerely. Seeing his process reminded me how energizing collaboration can be. Also, it was fun to borrow from his closet for once!