August 2011

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Optiko, Brisbane

Optiko, Brisbane

26th August 2011 The Eyestylist team may be based in Europe but we’ve been contacted by some leading independent opticians further afield, so we will be reporting on many of them in the months ahead. We are particularly happy to be in touch with some great designers and opticians in Australia, all of whom we look forward to introducing to you soon.

Brisbane’s Optiko is one of Australia’s leading independent stores, and regularly features in Australian Vogue, given its extra special choice of eyewear collections and rare vintage sunglasses by labels like Marion Ramm, Krizia and Oscar de la Renta.

Optiko director Mike Makras explains the interior concept: ” The store is made up of two distinct areas, the first is marble encased and super light, and the inner room is a dark gentleman’s club style atmosphere. The store is now over 5 years old and is testament to the architect’s timeless design. Located in one of Brisbane’s oldest arcades, the building also houses the city’s largest and oldest gentleman’s club – The Tattersalls Club – so the architect used that as an influence.

 

Interior, Optiko

We won the DIA (Design Institute Award) retail interiors award when we initially opened. We currently stock Cazal, Cartier, Cutler and Gross, and we have 3 in-house brands made in actetate, local wood, and buffalo horn. We also stock Lindberg, ic-berlin, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Virgin Vintage, RVS and lots of other rare makes.”

I am sure locals will be delighted to here that Optiko is in the process of designing a second store which will have lost of surprises! We will bring you more on this new opening in the winter. www.optiko.com.au CN

Optiko, Tattersalls Arcade, 215 Queen Street, Brisbane 4000, Australia

Tassen Museum of Bags and Purses

Tassen Museum of Bags and Purses

A Collector’s Dream in Amsterdam

16th August 2011 Amsterdam abounds with majestic museums – Rijksmuseum, The Van Gogh, Hermitage Amsterdam – just to mention a few. The newest addition to this gilded list is “art” of a different kind – a stunning bag museum. The Tassen Museum of Bags and Purses opened in 2007, in a magnificent canal house on the Herengracht.  The exclusive, unique collection of 4000 bags is a fascinating testimony to social history, and how styles in fashion and art have influenced bags throughout the centuries.  Finding the bags has been a passion for Hendrikje Ivo, antique dealer and collector, who discovered her first bag in England over thirty-five years ago.  What started as her personal fascination has become an iconic museum in a luxurious canal house, that was once a private home.  From the 16th century through to the fashionista labels of Chanel to Prada, Hermès and Judith Leiber,(her cupcake bag shown above) the bags will enchant, amuse and delight.  I’ve visited several times, and always find new discoveries.  The Tassen Museum is “it” for bag lovers! JG www.museumofbagsandpurses.com

August edition: looking forward

 

It may be holiday time but we are gearing up for Autumn/Winter 11/12…we kick off this month with some of the trends coming up…and 10 unique frames in our Reviews Section which are perfect for the transition from summer to autumn. We’ll be starting to give advice on the best colours, patterns, shapes and influences in fashion and how they translate in eyewear. And of course lots of other special reports and new discoveries in Design and Inspiration, City Guides and Boutiques.  CN

Superhero sunglasses

Superhero sunglasses

Created by Colab, in collaboration with Anthony Lister

30th August, 2011 This is an intriguing project by the Australian brand Colab and international street art “super hero” Anthony Lister. Vacation on the Sun Sunglasses are a Limited Edition, where the first 250 models (see the frame below) come packaged with an Anthony Lister superhero mask in red, blue or yellow.

The sunglass style itself is a classic tortoiseshell style, with brown gradient lens, available in a Limited Edition of 1000 individually numbered models. For more details on this unique eyewear experience, go to www.colab.com.au CN

Vacation on the Sun

 

Trend alert: round forms

Trend alert: round forms

25th August 2011 Round spectacles and sunglasses have seen a comeback in 2011, and there are lots of new round shapes arriving in sun and optical lines for 2012; the 1930s and 1940s are the favourite decades of inspiration for the latest ones.

Mykita’s collaboration with Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch has seen the launch of two new sunglass models for 2012…cute “Le Corbusier” inspired round designs in a “washed-out” palette of rose, vanilla or stone. Regina, pictured here on the catwalk in vanilla, is a simple yet stunning compliment for a Herchcovitch creation where colour details are synchronised to set off the deep red of the silk dress. Glamorous styling. CN

www.mykita.com http://herchcovitch.uol.com.br


Trend watch: rich print and pattern

Trend watch: rich print and pattern

24th August 2011 Lafont’s ornate optical model Gaufrette 550 translates this winter trend perfectly, combining in one single design a distinctive patterned acetate with intricate gemstone studded metalwork. These are techniques that this exclusive French brand has developed and perfected over many years, and they are very much in tune with the sumptuous fabrics and ornate detailing in this winter’s fashion collections. One of our favourite optical styles for women so far in the upcoming Autumn/Winter Collections. For more information and stockists visit www.lafont.com CN

Coco and the Row

Coco and the Row

A leopard-inspired creation by Anna-Karin Karlsson

22nd August 2011 Anna-Karin sent me this picture recently and I couldn’t resist it, I am also a big fan of leopard print and this large fashion shape really does this patterned acetate justice. The Swedish-born designer says she hadn’d been able to find a really amazing pair of leopard print sunglasses in recent years and felt inspired to create them herself. 10 months since her official launch, Anna-Karin’s designs continue to excite the fashion industry and she has just received a nomination for ‘Accessory Designer 2011′ at the Swedish fashion award Guldknappen.www.annakarinkarlsson.com/buy.php CN

 

Eyewear Enthusiasts

Eyewear Enthusiasts

Anne-Solène Guerin, Marketing Executive, Paris, France

21st August, 2011 “My fashion style is classical, yet not boring.  So I like to find clothes that have extra special details, or sometimes – in bright colours. Quality and good cuts are very important.  For example, if I’m looking for a raincoat, it’s usually Burberry, and I like designs by Catherine Andre.  I also like Renouard (www.maroquinerie-renouard.com) from Brittany.  With glasses too, I like something different.  I have a small face, and the trend right now is for big frames, but large shapes make me look like a fly! It was a problem to find small sunglasses, but when I tried on Lafont, it was – OK – that’s it! I didn’t know the brand before, and I really like the small shape. I love to sail and on the water wear Vaurnet (Anne-Solène in Vaurnet, shown above) with polarized lenses. The shape is great as it protects the eye area, and they are really designed for sport – they don’t move and fit well.” JG

LE 37670

LE 37670

TD Tom Davies

16th August 2011 Some lovely new eyewear collections are filtering across our desks, even during this relaxed, easy paced holiday time. We’re eager to share these new designs with you, and one that has especially grabbed our attention, is a collection of six Limited Edition frames for women, from TD Tom Davies.  The made-to-measure, hand finished designs in luscious acetate include this beautiful frame (above) with graduated colours.  A hint of vintage shaping adds to the allure of the luxurious styling.  The neutral colourations are perfect for early autumn fashions. Other designs in this Limited Edition series feature striped and transparent/opaque contrasts. JG www.tdtomdavies.com

Eyewear Enthusiasts

Eyewear Enthusiasts

Gilles Choukroun, Chef and owner of MBC Gilles Choukroun, Paris, France

14th August 2011 My favourite sunglasses are by Ray Ban (Gilles wears Ray Ban in the above photo), and Gold and Wood – they have some excellent designs. I like black frames, but sometimes I like colour too – especially orange or green. When I’m looking for glasses, I visit different boutiques because there are a lot of frames, and the choice is very difficult! My preferences are for frames that are simple, without decoration.  I like casual clothes, never a suit! In the restaurant kitchen, it’s really casual – jeans and a black chef jacket. Kenzo men’s wear is super, and I also like casual wear from Oxbow.” JG