Alumni

Alumna Owns European Optical Shop in Laguna Beach

FIDM Alumna Astrid Chitamun is the owner, designer, leader, and optician at European Optical Shop in Laguna Beach, California. Utilizing her talents as a lens and frame expert, Astrid is continuing the 47 year legacy started by her father, Udo Stoeckmann, who opened the retailer in 1974. The popular specialty shop is known for its collection of unique eyeglass frames from brands such as Oliver Goldsmith, Dior, Persol, Kala Eyewear, and Trina Turk, among others.

With the motto, “Life is too short to wear boring glasses,” Chitamun has brought her art and fashion design background to European Optical with her own line, EO by Astrid, handcrafted in Germany, where her father was a master optician. After Stoeckmann immigrated to the U.S. he fell in love with the beach town and quickly became known for repairing glasses quickly thanks to an on-site lab. Chitamun took over her father’s business after he retired in 2008. “I love the art of optics because stylish eyewear makes people feel better about themselves,” she recently told the Laguna Beach Independent. 

“Physically, they see better, and my staff and I love helping them choose glasses that match their personality and lifestyle.” She added that one of her favorite daily moments is when neighbors and friends run into each other at the store. Chitamun also said she enjoys serving multi-generational families. “My dad used to say it doesn’t feel like I work because he enjoyed what he did,” Chitamun added. “I feel the same way."

Learn more online at europeanopticalinc.com.

Categories:  Fashion Design Alumni