By Clodagh on June 23, 2011
For our June edition, we explore the intriguing aspects of global eyewear materials. Clodagh and I are always fascinated at how science and technology enhance the realisation of luxurious and unique eyewear. Remember to check out Boutiques for savvy eyewear shopping, and Design and Inspiration provides market and trend updates. Throughout the month, we’ll also bring you current events in City Guides. Welcome to new discoveries – and June Eyestylist! JG
Posted in Home, Intro, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on June 22, 2011
Gold & Wood’s Galaxy sunglasses
28th June Today I have Gold and Wood’s sunglass model Galaxy 2 in my hand, and it’s really quite something. I have seen nearly all the wood eyewear collections this year and each one is unique. This particular style from the luxury brand Gold & Wood is lightweight, and very sophisticated, produced in ebony with an incredible geometric 3D decoration in amourette wood – this detail reminds me of a medieval bas-relief, except the style of the patterning is timeless. It’s certainly a classic sunglass design and the use of wood will have great appeal to connoisseurs of fine craftsmanship and minute attention to detail. CN
Posted in Category header, Design and Inspiration, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on June 21, 2011
21st June 2011 The onset of summer reminds me of this wonderful French chateau I stayed in this time last year. And I can’t resist featuring it here, and am hopeful I will soon get a chance to go back. It is just off the motorway which many travellers use to go from Normandy to South West France…and it’s everything you might want from a luxury stopover with a very intimate atmosphere that makes you feel like you turned up at a friend’s house – although it’s a very large rambling place with stunning furnishings, a mix of French country house, bohemian elegance with some lovely eccentric touches.
We arrived as a family after 6 hours driving on the motorway; my boys went straight for the pool and enjoyed their early supper in the garden. They were particularly intrigued by their wood panelled room – adjacent to our room, the Chambre des Canards and the very ancient bathroom (with modern fittings of course). This place should be kept a secret, it’s the perfect chateau for unwinding, and the unpretentious hosts make you feel extremely welcome. I have stayed in many other chambres d’hotes and chateaux in France and this is the very best I can recommend. There is very little doubt that you could feel anything but delighted to visit this wonderful hotel and well-loved family home! www.chateau-saintpaterne.com CN
Posted in City guides, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on June 8, 2011
Designer Retrospective in London, England
Iconic Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto can always be relied upon to deliver the unexpected in his creations. His visionary approach to clothing overlaps art, fashion and celebrity, and he blends strong hints of his native culture with modernity. This retrospective at the V&A, also includes his revolutionary menswear. Yamamoto loves fabrics that flow, and then he uses his fertile imagination to create unanticipated cuts, drapes, folds, pleats and sculpture, to captivate the wearer. He challenges the fabric to do what he demands. His other accomplishments include costumes for Richard Wagner’s Tristan & Isolde, performed at the Bayreuth Festival, plus he achieved a law degree before embarking on his fashion career, and he is advanced in karate. Truly a Renaissance Man. This exhibition features stunning examples of Yamamoto’s work,and is an exciting celebration of an idiosyncratic and skillful fashion creator. At the Victoria & Albert Museum through 10 July 2011. www.vam.ac.uk JG
Posted in City guides
By Clodagh on June 7, 2011
Children’s fashion and design from every corner of the world
24th June 2011 This is a great show for kid’s fashion, inspiring and always very friendly. The mix of fashion, accessories and design and homeware includes some of the most interesting international and home-grown labels for infants and children. I have put together a few of the beautiful things that caught my eye, and some of the labels have provided me with some wonderful images to share with you. First, and pictured above, is Folk & Flora stationary by Norwegian label Darling Clementine, which of course I had to bring up, for its little spectacle motif; I love the 50s illustrative mood of this design and i’ve seen they do a print of it too (available at www.darlingclementine.no).Other products include pretty notebooks, cushions and tea trays.
Eyestylist favourite Zoobug exhibited at the show for the first time, with its main collection (boy wearing wayfarer in black below) and new Official London 2012 sunglass collection for 0-12s (produced under licence), featuring models which promise to be iconic must-have accessories for the London Olympics. www.zoobug.com
Zoobug
Kid’s fashion labels that set the mood for 2012 included Jessie and James, a label that underlines high quality British manufacturing. I liked the nautical dresses and their eye-catching imagery, also on show at www.jessieandjames.co.uk
Jessie and James
At very cute label Tootsa MacGinty, the emphasis was on colourful, hard-wearing unisex clothing – I was really impressed by the practicality and long-lasting qualities of these cleverly designed clothes which can be passed down to siblings or friends, both the girls and the boys!
Tootsa MacGinty
Another favourite for me was Zee & Zo, a swimwear label from the Netherlands. Their girls’ collection brims with pretty colours and super teeny-tiny prints and their boys surfer shorts are everything a boy of 6 or 7 plus would consider cool and fun to wear. www.zee-zo.com
Zee & Zo
Ta Daa Baby is an inspiration and one of the trendsetters making beautiful clothes in France from recycled materials. www.tadaababy.com
Ta Daa
General trends in kid’s clothing such as ‘green’ or recycled fabrics, vintage design inspirations, cute motifs and vibrant colour and fabric combinations are looking exciting for next S/S, judging by this show. I have just mentioned a few favourites in passing, I hope to find out more about some of the great collections for little ones that exhibit annually at Bubble, in the weeks and months ahead. CN
www.bubblelondon.com
Posted in Home, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on June 7, 2011
Shwood Sunglasses
22 June 2011 Shwood Sunglasses are handmade in Oregon, using a manufacturing process which merges precision technology with traditional craftsmanship. This week I have tried one of their sunglass designs on for the first time; I am much more familiar with the European brands producing wood frames so this was a fun exercise. The style I have is chunky and you get an immediate feel for the lovely natural texture and pattern of the wood from which it is made. The frames are treated with organic waxes and oils to protect them, but are unpolished so they look as unprocessed as possible. The wood used comes from sustainably harvested resources and include Cherry, East India Rosewood and Zebrawood.
If you’ve considered a wood sunglass style then this is definitely a brand to look at. Wood is a very stylist material in eyewear this year and we expect this popularity to grow. Shwood does a nice job of layering the sheets of wood (2-ply for temples and 3 for the fronts) and this gives a practical flexibility to the sunglasses. Details such as the Carl Zeiss lenses with 100% UVA/UVB protection and attractive soft pouch in tweed and leather add to the overall effect of quality and quirky creativity. More coming up soon on the best wood frames and where to buy them. www.shwoodshop.com CN
Posted in Design and Inspiration, Home
By Clodagh on June 7, 2011
Pierre Eyewear
21st June 2011 French magistrate and European Parliament member Eva Joly, is as well known for the distinctive red frames perched on her nose, as she is for her strong support of Europe’s ecology issues. The Norwegian born politician is a fan of the small, round frame with a horseshoe nosepiece by Pierre Cariven, designer and founder of Pierre Eyewear. His handcrafted designs are recognised for their quirky, fun approach to eyewear. Bright red acetate forms the front of Emma, and the sides are in tortoise acetate. Pierre Eyewear is available in Paris at Optique des Entrepreneurs, 39 rue Entrepreneurs 75015, Paris. www.pierre-eyewear.com JG
Posted in Home, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on June 7, 2011
Tru Trussardi Summer Specs
17th June 2011 Elegance, beauty and refinement have been the hallmark of stunning Trussardi accessories for 100 years. The Italian company’s eyewear collection in beautiful materials and superb colours is lovingly crafted, and there is a great selection of styles. This design I particularly like, with its voluminous shape that shields the eyes from the sun’s penetrating rays on summer days. Matte acetate comfortably caresses the eye area, and the frame is a pleasure to wear. Three desirable colour choices – the rich purple featured above, a soft “demi” brown, and a strong havana. Tru Trussardi frames are available at Piccadilly Opticians, 13 Piccadilly Arcade, New Street in Birmingham. Further info at www.trussardi.com JG
Posted in Home, Uncategorized
By Clodagh on June 7, 2011
The Fantastic History of Eyewear by Dominique Cuvillier
15th June 2011 If eyewear and fashion are passions, make immediate space on your shelves for this excellent book. Dominique Cuvillier is a trend consultant, writer, and collector of eyewear. This well-researched book, with a preface by Alain Mikli, and richly illustrated with superb photos, traces the history of eyewear from its origins in the 14th Century to the present. Grand names – past and present – vividly reveal the evolution of eyewear and its status as a style statement. Le Grand Livre Des Lunettes is a grand celebration of eyewear. Published by E/P/A Hachette Livre – éditions du Chêne www.editionsduchene.fr JG
Posted in Home, Uncategorized
