Throughout the year, we have seen numerous collections, and the amazing potential for eyewear is boundless. This month we review ten designs with imaginative concepts and creativity. Our Designer of the Month is an inspirational young Australian firm brimming with new ideas. During November, we’ll be presenting a variety of Boutiques, each with a unique concept or history. Winter holidays are rapidly approaching, and we’ll be suggesting gift ideas with great appeal. Click on City Guides for what’s happening in various cities in art, books, auctions, music, restaurants and hotels! Follow Eyestylist for continuing inspiration, discoveries, and opportunities……JG
November 2011
You are browsing the archive for November 2011.
Baby R01
Zoobug
29th November 2011 If there is a little girl on your holiday gift list, here is an ideal present for a future fashionista – colourful sunglasses from Zoobug. Created by eye surgeon Dr. Julie Le, she is very aware about eye care for youngsters, and she has an instinctive feel for what appeals to the young set. The Mini frames (above) feature UV 400 polycarbonate shatterproof lenses, and rubber tips ensure that the frames stay put on little faces. Children will love the variety of cheerful colours! Available in London at Harrods and Marie Chantal, and at www.littlefashiongallery.com / www.zoobug.com JG
Introducing Res / Rei Eyewear
Adriano
28th November 2011 A friend in Italy has suggested to me to have a look at this brand….Res / Rei Eyewear, Handmade in Italy with Love. From what we hear, their first collection in acetate is rather lovely. Named after Roman emperors, the spectacles are inspired by these characters and their different personalities – pictured above, Adriano, in the elegant colour ‘Gladiator Red’.
The design of each frame has been realised to balance the weight of the frame on the face so it rests less on the nose and more on the ears, creating a design that can be worn throughout the day, without causing any discomfort, and ensuring a constant feeling of wellbeing. The brand is currently available at Gaillard Opticiens, Chartres, France, and Capello Centro Vista in Castelfranco Veneto, Italy, among other stores around Europe. We hope to have more on this soon. For more information visit www.resrei.com CN
Cult Eyewear – An Author’s Passion
Eyestylist meets Neil Handley
25th November 2011 If you are an eyewear devotee and curious about social history, The British Optical Association Museum in London is the place to visit. A personal tour by Curator Neil Handley adds richness and revelations to the experience. Handley is the author of the highly acclaimed book Cult Eyewear, an intriguing perspective on the iconic brands who redefined eyewear (image above, l.a. eyeworks “The Beat” 1980.) Fate has had a strong hand in Handley’s career – as an art historian with an Oxford degree, he took a temporary position with The College of Optometrists. “It was to be for twelve months,” recalls Handley, “and now it is thirteen years! I wasn’t in the eyewear field, so this has been amazing. The Museum was founded in 1901 – so it is 110 years old. I feel that I am the temporary custodian of the collection, and it’s my job to keep it going, and lay the seeds for the future. The Museum is a cultural home for eyewear to which people can gravitate. We have fashion, art and design students who visit, and we encourage them to get involved. In 1997, we moved to this great building on Craven Street, an historic area in the heart of Charing Cross. Benjamin Franklin lived just a few doors away.
RVS by V. Robin. Photo: The College of Optometrists/Elliot Franks
“Working on the book required a lot of research with many discoveries. The first spectacles were not worn on the face, they were held in the hand, and designed to wear with a wig, the fashion of the time. Your character is brought out with what is on your nose. We found one box marked ‘junk’, and inside were the most incredible items – original, vintage frames and much more. Eyewear started as a craft, and the manufacturing techniques remain largely unchanged. The future lies in continuing good craftsmanship and quality.
Oliver Goldsmith 1985
“Britain is living up to its design standards today, but the manufacturing is being done elsewhere, as I’ve noted in the book. I hope it’s an eye opener! However, things come in waves, and there are high and low points in every story. There is always space for mavericks, but there are also lessons of history. There is no guarantee that certain companies will be around in two or three years; an awareness is needed to get through the hard times.” (Oliver Goldsmith image above: The College of Optometrists/Elliot Franks-Courtesy of Oliver Goldsmith).
Handley clearly enjoyed his research for Cult Eyewear. “You should have seen what was left out! Unfortunately, everything could not be included, but perhaps one day, there will be another book. The collections that we have here are certainly inspiring.”
Lafont 1970's acetate: O.PH.L-Lafont
With Handley’s meticulous eye for details and love of his subject matter, a sequel to Cult Eyewear is already eagerly anticipated. Published by Merrell www.merrellpublishers.com.
Museum visits by appointment only. Telephone +44 (0) 207 839 6000 www.college-optometrists.org/museum JG
Cambridge
Collegiate Chic from Leisure Society
23rd November 2011 California based Leisure Society endorses the enduring appeal of collegiate style with a collection of frames named after prestigious universities. One of my personal favourites is Cambridge (above), Shane Baum’s refined, preppy and superbly crafted frame in 100% titanium. The gold plates are available in 12k, 18k, or 24k, combined with Japanese cotton-base acetate temple tips – pure luxury! In addition, little details are precise with intricate multi-dimensional laser etching applied to the titanium and rim wire, with beautiful enamel insets. Twelve layer anti-reflective lenses, coated with Diamond Cast anti-scratch material, are state-of-the-art. Each frame is individually handmade and numbered in Japan by experienced artisanal craftsmen. www.leisure-society.com JG
Wowzers from Martyn Bal
22nd November Recently announced, Cutler & Gross have partnered up with Martyn Bal to produce Wowzers, a new sunglass collection. Bal says that he wanted the glasses to be “cool, neat and sharp”. I like the look of the crystal and also the version in “Ink Dream”. There are four colour choices in all.
Sunglasses by Martyn Bal
Available now from Cutler and Gross stores and the online shop http://shop.cutlerandgross.com/
For more details on Wowzers go to www.martynbal.com CN
Men’s style from Salt Optics
Cooper
22nd November 2011 I really like the design of this optical frame…it delivers the new lighter looking, narrower shaping that takes geek chic to a a more sophisticated level. It’s a classic really, but fine tuned and superbly photographed to represent the direction in men’s eyewear. Salt Optics is a US brand we follow; it’s not so widely known in Europe but it’s readily available if you like what you see. I wear the sunglasses in the women’s range which offer feminine styling without drawing attention to itself in terms of decoration or logos. Stockists include Paris Miki, 33 avenue de l’Opéra, F-75002 Paris, Ottica Efrati, Rome (www.otticaefrati.com) and Burri Optik in Switzerland (www.burrioptik.ch), to pinpoint a few. More on Salt can be found at www.saltoptics.com CN
Boitier EK
Emmanuelle Khanh Paris
21st November 2011 A smart eyeglass case is indispensable for looking after your frames, and Emmanuelle Khanh has some beautiful styles this season. A particular favourite is this textured mini-clutch in an assortment of chic colours, plus all-important black. Frame protection is assured, and the metal clip is easy to open and close. Emmanuelle Khanh has an impressive collection of desirable eyewear accessories, including cases, chains, and magnifying glasses, for yourself - or gift giving! You’ll find them at Les Plus Belles Lunettes du Monde in Paris, and Corso Como in Milan. www.emmanuellekhanhparis.com JG
Trend watch: three favourite flat tops
18th November 2011 This is a statement look for the year 2012…an aviator or wayfarer inspired shape (usually) with a flat browline….I love the way the French designers Anne et Valentin bring an elegance to the flat-shape in their optical style Factory 10 ……worn beautifully in the image above (www.anneetvalentin.com). Even in black it doesn’t look too harsh, it’s super feminine and we love the little old-school keyhole nose.
Other collections give the flat-top design a cool, urban interpretation and it just keeps on cropping up, particularly in the sunglass collections. Tim Van Steenbergen’s Isidro, a pilot shape for men and women, gives the style an update by adding a very gently curve on the browline with an angular drop at the outer edges of the front; it also features the distinctive keyhole nose shape which is a detail we are delighted to see being brought back into the collections.
Isidro, Hierro Collection, Tim Van Steenbergen and Theo
This leather-look sunglass style is part of the impressive Limited Edition Hierro range by the Belgian fashion designer in collaboration with eyewear designers Theo; a range which is inspired by Spanish embroidery and traditional leather work and which pushes the boat out in terms of innovation in the design and decorative finishes. When I first held this style in my hand I thought it was covered in real leather, but actually it’s plastic that has an incredible finish like soft, natural leather. www.theo.be
The Walkabout by Paul Frank
Another example that leapt out at me when looking through the collections for 2012 was Paul Frank’s The Walkabout, a statement two-tone sihouette in acetate with subtle cutaways at the temple…an easy and relaxed choice for everyday wear and not too daring if you want cool and on-trend without over extravagance. www.paulfrank.com CN
Proof Sustainable Wood
An eco-friendly choice
17th November 2011 I have recently received a pair of sunglasses by Idaho based Proof Wood Eyewear…the model is one of their women’s styles, Cake, a simple but feminine shape featuring a matching brown polycarbonate lenses. The frames are offered in different woods such as bamboo and ebony, and have neat spring hinges and a tiny discreet logo etched into the temple. A quotation appears on the inside of the arm, customised from model to model. My pair is marked with the line: “My life is my message“.
Set up in January this year, Proof is run by three brothers, from a family sawmill set up originally by their grandfather. The brothers aim is to produce fun, well made, well priced wood sunglasses (suited to all ages but definitely appealing particularly to 20 somethings) while also donating a portion of sales to charity. Proof is supporting sight giving surgeries in India and is also currently involved with the Native American Reservation, Africa and re-planting trees in Haiti.
Another nice touch is the fact that Proof offers a recycling programme…if you want to change your sunglass style, you can return your old pair of shades and get a discount on your next purchase. The old shades are recycled into animal bedding..to find out more about Proof and to see the full collection visit www.iwantproof.com CN
