Over the last 20 years, Editor-in-Chief James Spina has been the iconic face, voice and leader of 20/20 Magazine. So much so that his name is synonymous with 20/20, and the reason he was honored this year with the NOW Optical Achievement Award from The Vision Council for the indelible mark he has left on our industry. I believe the optical community felt a collective sense of loss upon hearing of his impending retirement at the end of 2023.

James is a master of the narrative who eloquently uses words to put the reader in the story, and I am at a loss to find the words to do him justice. Instead, I want to share an excerpt from one of his columns from the September 2022 issue, “Might Eye Be So Bold,” that gives a glimpse into his amazing mind and the gift that he is to 20/20 and the industry at large:

“My receptor registers annoyance whenever anyone starts up about ‘the new normal.’ I’m not a fan of anything normal be it old OR new. Normal is boring. It never tempts fate and always avoids friction, and both those qualities remain precious since it is in that area of risk and rambunctiousness where true innovation thrives.

“I love taking on dares and live for the adventure of constant change in a state of revolution rather than the safer route of evolution. Mire down in a formulaic approach, and there’s a chance that no one will notice or care. I’ve seen this happen with a variety of factions including communication, design, popular culture, style, products, retailing and… (subject at hand) … eyewear.

“I entered this opti-scene circa 1996, a time when the rather bland forage of eyewear seemed stunted in this trend of unisex styles. These were frames that could basically be worn by men and women with the main criteria being a spec so bland as to be totally unobtrusive and stripped of personality. The situation with sunwear was somewhat bolder but the buzz for frames seemed focused on these ovoid shapes, many with a tortoise coloration tech built on foiling metals with a bland Havana tone. Is it any wonder then that brands such as l.a.Eyeworks and Lafont stood out blaringly and brilliantly by daring to be anything but… normal. And that sense of being unique via a vintage road map (think Oliver Peoples and Matsuda) rang equally resounding.

“I must note that as the years layered on eyewear flexed its daring with a muscle I admire and adore. And… the specs genre continues to resonate with growing facets of drive and provocation. That is easily why I am still here, still fascinated and still overtly fascinated by what keeps getting delivered by the new wave of creative eyewear designers and manufacturers dedicated to doing any and everything beyond the bland state of old or new normal.”

James is a creative and talented person with many interests who will now be free to follow his many other passions in life. Although I will miss his friendship and mentoring at 20/20, I know he will always be a quick call away, and I wish him and his family the very best in life.

• Deborah Kotob
Pro to Pro Director
[email protected]