We are updating regularly throughout the month – eyewear is blossoming with a continuation of our Statement Sunglasses for Spring. Click on Boutiques for a one-of-a-kind Parisian optical shop, and in City Guides for news about an unusual hat exhibition. Eyestylist- keeping you well-informed a click at a time….. In Reviews, you’ll find frame inspiration, and the Designer of the Month profiles a Parisian family firm. A chic shop in Milan features in Boutiques, and City Guides highlights a stunning Tiffany glass exhibition in America… JG
March 2012
You are browsing the archive for March 2012.
Trend Series:Spring’s Statement Sunglasses
Bocca by Face à Face
30th March 2012 Designer Pascal Jaulent at Face à Face enjoys designing frames that are beautiful and elegantly crafted, plus adding a bit of daring, drama and humour. Bocca – a Limited Edition of only 200 frames – has a hint of Mae West’s aura – a bold, glamorous, feminine design with volume, sensual curves and an enticing cat eye form. The feel of the acetate is sensuous as well – masterfully combining technology, luxury and beauty. A true collector’s item! www.faceaface-paris.com JG
Marni collection of 100 chairs, Milan
27th March 2012 Marni is to present, during Salone del Mobile 2012 (the Furniture Fair held in Milan), a collection of 100 chairs. Made in Colombia by ex-prisoners, the chairs consist of metal structures and multi-colored PVC threads featured on the backs and arm rests. They are linked to the “L’Arte del Ritratto” project through a photo exhibition created in collaboration with the photographer and filmmaker Francesco Iodice. The chairs are used as a background for a series of portraits of Marni teams from different departments. The chairs will be shown at the Marni Boutique and its courtyard, in Milan during the Furniture Fair (17 to 22 April 2012). www.marni.com CN
Trend series: Spring’s Statement Sunglasses
Phillips by A-morir
25th March 2012 I’ve already run one of the A-morir flower styles on our Facebook and everyone loves it. So whilst we are looking at an incredible selection of statement sunglasses this month (one sunglass style is simply not enough this season, you’re going to need a few different statement looks!) here is my other favourite at the minute from Kerin Rose of A-morir, who we look forward to meeting in Europe soon. This style is called Phillips; it’s in some top boutiques including Liberty’s in London where I first spied it in February. The work is beautiful and delicate and it’s THE piece for Spring as statement accessories go…these and other unique designs are available to order at A-Morir’s online shop, feast your eyes at www.a-morir.com. CN
Trend alert: Flat-top sunglasses for girls
23rd March 2012 It’s more commonly worn by boys but in the last few days we’ve noticed how great this oversize shape can look on girls…it’s a shape that adds to the high fashion luxe styling of the season. This example by L.G.R. (www.lgr-sunglasses.com) is called Tripoli, and is featured in matt black with Polarized Neophan Vermillion lenses, the state-of-the-art UV protective lenses which were specifically developed for L.G.R . Other great choices for this look include Celine’s larger-than-life visor-like sunglasses (available at Cruz Oculista www.cruzoculista.com and featured on our Facebook today worn by the blogger from www.afterdrk.com) and Alexander Wang’s square frame acetates (just in at MUSE Concept Store in Geneva. www.museconcept-store.com). CN
Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones
Millinery History and Hat Artistry in New York
21st March 2012 Hats ranging from a twelfth-century Egyptian fez to a 1950′s Balenciaga chapeau, plus couture creations from Stephen Jones, the world’s foremost hat designer, are on display in a captivating exhibition at the Bard Graduate Centre (BGC) in New York City. Jones’s masterful hat creations have graced the heads of many celebrated clients – including Diana, Princess of Wales – and he creates hats for films, which include Coco Avant Chanel, W.E. and Atonement. Jones spearheaded new interest in hats in the 1980′s with his use of unusual materials, extraordinary craftsmanship and daring designs. He is also associated with leading fashion designers – including Christian Dior and Marc Jacobs.
The intriguing exhibition – a collaboration between The Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Stephen Jones – includes a wide range of Jones’s eclectic styles, plus motorcycle helmets, berets and unique items – including the top hat worn by President Franklin Roosevelt to his fourth inauguration; Babe Ruth’s baseball cap, and Estee Lauder’s turban. The exhibition is a fascinating anthology of hats from the last century to the present day. Through 15 April at the Bard Graduate Center, New York City. www.bgc.board.edu JG
Photos courtesy of The Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Bard Graduate Centre
Les Artisans Lunetiers Paris, France
Libraries and Books are Inspiration for Boutique
21st March 2012 Literary Paris glows with memorable writers – Marcel Proust, Alexandre Dumas, Honore Balzac, Alfred Musset and Jean-Paul Sartre – to mention a few. Women shine too – Colette, Françoise Sagan, Simone de Beauvoir, and in the 18th century, the often criticised, but highly intelligent and entertaining Madame de Staël. Their works still grace bookshelves – and Kindles – to this day.
So it was this aspect of history – writers, books and libraries – that launched Les Artisans Lunetiers, a charming “bijou” eyewear boutique on The Left Bank – the spiritual home for writers. The shop is the concept of opticians Christian Mathurier and his sister Laure, and features a tantalizing mix of retro and modern frames, including Waiting for the Sun, Lafont, and Beausoleil, among others. The atmosphere is that of a cosy library. If prose – as well as glasses – is your passion, a favourite quote, a little word or line of poetry can be engraved onto the frame temples. The engraving is done on site, in the first floor atelier. Customers are invited to choose their own quote, or avail themselves of noted author’s quotes. A memorable gift idea! www.lesartisanslunetiers.fr JG
Trend Series: Spring’s Statement Sunglasses
7717 – Bevel
Luscious, aquatic blue and green tones create a symphony in acetate in these stunning sunglasses from Bevel. The gentle cat’s eye shape is beautifully enhanced with gradations of colour that shimmer on polished acetate. The sides also radiate harmoniously in softer shades of sea tones. A must-have for summer! www.bevelspecs.com JG
Author and Eyewear Enthusiast
Mark Tungate launches latest book at Le Bon Marche, Paris
20th March 2012 Mark Tungate, author and acknowledged eyewear fan, was busy signing copies of his newest book Le Monde de la Beauté at the launch party held in the elegant book department of Le Bon Marché in Paris. The French edition, published by éditions Dunod, has been translated into French after the success of his original book in English – Branded Beauty – published by Kogan Page. The book is a fascinating study of the history and evolution of the beauty business – a compelling read coupled with excellent research. Tungate also researches his glasses – he is as particular about his frames as with his prose. “My glasses are from jlc, my favourite optician on The Left Bank. (There is also a branch in Le Bon Marché). They have a fine collection of Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith and vintage frames, all of which suit my slightly retro tastes. The spectacles I’m wearing in the photo are jlc’s own brand. I was attracted to them because they’re made of genuine horn; they have a slightly matt look, and an intriguing pattern that’s even more subtle than tortoiseshell, like traces of grey smoke amid tobacco brown. The shape is softer and a little rounder than some of the more angular frames I own, without being owlish. I may need a new pair of specs soon because I think my prescription has changed a little – must be all the late night proof reading! But my wife says: ‘No, keep those, they are perfect!’ So it looks like the horn rims won’t be relegated to the spare specs drawer for a while yet.” www.jlcopticien.com www.tungateinparis.com JG
Trend series: Spring’s statement sunglasses
Theo by Tim Van Steenbergen
19th March 2012 The creative collaboration between Theo and Tim Van Steenbergen has launched this dazzling frame in a gorgeous new colour – brandy. Model Oak is from the beautiful Trees collection, named after trees that are found in Belgium and around the world. The distinctive metal sidepiece on the frame relates to the structure of a tree trunk. The warm, rich tones of brandy are the perfect accompaniment for spring and summer fashions. www.theo.be JG
