With a dedication to quality and a passion for eyewear, Kuske Eyewear is a beloved local brand. A loyal customer for many years, prior to joining the team, Marc Davidsen sits down with Nelson Magazine to discuss the iconic business, Kuske’s unique offerings, and the philosophy behind selecting the perfect pair of glasses.
Can you share some of the unique points of difference that Kuske offers?
From quietly confident and vibrantly effusive to neutral tones and knock-them dead colours that sing, the range is vast. Each piece of artistic and engineering wonder has a story to tell. We offer wooden frames, hand-crafted with true artisanal excellence in France, and a Belgian-designed range inspired by the first Apollo mission. These frames are made from aluminium and each carries the name of the mission's astronauts. We partner with the world’s best lens manufacturers to provide fully customised lenses that are unique to each client. However, having the best lenses means nothing if the dispensing isn’t right. I know it may sound cliché, but we love what we do and that makes all the difference - the passion is genuine.
You mentioned that selecting the right frame is like buying shoes?
Ah yes, my favourite metaphor! When buying shoes, four things must align: You must love them, they must fit properly, they must be fit-for-purpose, and they must feel comfortable. Selecting eyewear is the same. When we fit glasses, we’re looking at more than the overall aesthetic; we are also looking at how a prescription will function in the frame, lens shape, size, how the bridge fits, whether the temples are correctly aligned, how far the lenses sit from your eyes, the angle they sit at, and where your pupils lie within the lens plane.
What core values does Kuske uphold and how do you see the brand evolving?
We have continued to maintain the practice in the spirit it was built on by the previous owners, Reiner and Claudia Kuske. Being locally owned strengthens our connection with our community, and this is important to us. It goes without saying that we choose suppliers who also share our values. We want people to fall in love with a frame that fits so well that when they put it on, they smile and feel at home. I’d like to see Kuske become a movement – a place where people can find a frame that reveals who they are – not who others want them to be. It’s liberating to live in that space. It’s a wonderful thing to see people as they play and explore in the showroom – there is always laughter and joy. Each customer not only takes away a frame but the joy behind it – and let’s be honest, the world needs as much joy as it can get!
Can you share a personal moment from your time with Kuske?
One of the most poignant experiences was when a gorgeous woman came in to buy a beautiful frame to make her feel special. She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was such a privilege to help her choose a frame and lenses. The smile on her face when she collected them and put them on brings a lump to my throat whenever I think about it.
Kuske Eyewear
258 Hardy St, Nelson
kuske.co.nz
