February 2017

Birgitte Falvin, Falvin Eyewear, Denmark

Our eyewear world is full of inspirational and passionate women. Designer Birgitte Falvin from Denmark is relatively new to, starting her career in jewellery. “Jewellery has been my playground from the early days, I have worked with many different aspects of the creative process in jewellery.  In the beginning, while I was still studying surface design, I was creating handmade pieces that were sold in independent fashion boutiques in Florence and Copenhagen. The collection had a couture feel, and the statement pieces were eco-friendly. I used a mix of materials, such as vintage pearls, gold wire and couture yarn. I was very interested in surface design and fashion jewellery, and was happy to discover that the department for surface design at the Designskolen Kolding (where I was studying) had a similar approach to the design process as the Institut for Ædelmetal – the design department for jewellery design in Copenhagen.”

Falvin bestseller in rose gold and aubergine

Birgitte launched her first eyewear collection in September 2015, and today she is working exclusively on luxurious titanium designs. “Titanium is a lightweight material making it the perfect choice for fashionable, oversized frames. Falvin´s frames often get compliments for their comfortable fit. I find the clean look of titanium interesting, and I like to soften the design with matte and shiny precious lines of rose gold, palladium and 24 carat gold.”

Classic luxury at Falvin Eyewear

Today, the collection makes a feature of luxury diamonds, beautiful hand cut lens details and unexpected colour mixes. The frames combine an aesthetic attitude with the edginess of Nordic architecture, optimizing the genius of Danish and Japanese craftsmanship. “As a designer, I always look forward to the development of new collections. There are so many possibilities and materials to explore. It is exciting to watch the the brand grow and expand.”

LAMARCA EYEWEAR
ERKERS
OGI Eyewear
LEINZ
ROLF Spectacles
Orgreen
SILMO Paris 20-23 SEPT 2024
The Royal Black Diamond, Copenhagen

Architecture remains a source of design inspiration for every detail, as it did when the brand first launched. Birgitte explains: “At the beginning, my husband and I walked around Copenhagen, seeking a strong source of inspiration for an elegant eyewear concept. The Royal Danish Library, the iconic modern library building was the perfect inspiration for a collection that represented a blend of contemporary elegance and a cool aesthetic attitude, strongly infused with Nordic references.”
Copenhagen’s iconic Black Diamond houses the Royal Danish Library. “Its irregular angles fascinated me. When the light reflects off the building’s granite-clad surfaces, magic happens. The Falvin team visited the building many times at different hours to see the changing light and colours and to study the building inside and out. We took a lot of photographs, enjoying the asymmetrical design and the beautiful colour palette.”
Today, all Falvin´s frames are based on this concept, and the graphic references are paired with matte and shiny yellow gold, rose gold and palladium details. Frames can be customised with sparkling Wesselton diamonds that recall the glittering surface of the water that surrounds the Black Diamond. Falvin Eyewear will exhibit at Copenhagen Specs this weekend. More details: www.falvineyewear.com CN

Stunning Sunglasses

Fresh, innovative, and dramatic sunglass designs are plentiful in the latest collections. Summer and sunglasses are synonymous, but no longer only for warmer months. Sun specs are now worn on a year ’round basis to protect the wearer’s eyes, as well as make a superb style statement. Eyestylist highlights some of the enticing and enchanting creations from acclaimed global designers. Hoops (above) from Face à Face Paris captures the vintage spirit in two-tone acetate. www.faceaface-paris.com

Mayir by Vera Wang

Volume and sparkling Swarovski crystals define Vera Wang’s glamorous design Mayir in garnet acetate. www.kenmarkoptical.com

Zero 13 by Finest Seven

Dashing Zero 13 by Finest Seven combines luxury and style in yellow gold with vibrant violet mirror lenses. www.finestseven.com

Charming sunnies for youngsters by Zoobug

Children respond with enthusiasm to Zoobug’s delightful collection of sunglasses, specially crafted and sized to fit little faces. Featured above are a selection of super, fun styles for youngsters from the 2017 collection. Photo by Sarah Winborn www.zoobug.com

Penelope by Res/Rei

Italian eyewear craftsman Oliviero Zanon for Res/Rei endorses retro styling with Penelope, in Mazzucchelli marbled tortoiseshell acetate. www.resrei.com

Taylor by Walter & Herbert

Sumptuous curves and bold straight lines pair beautifully in Taylor by British brand Walter & Herbert, in shimmering crystal acetate. www.walterandherbert.com

Vivid Sea of Flames by Orgreen

Orgreen’s Limited Edition On Fire includes this stunning design Vivid Sea of Flames. A special burning process creates an intriguing iridescent finish to the frames. www.orgreenoptics.com JG

Zero 12 by Finest Seven

Dramatic, bold sunglasses by Finest Seven cut a stylish statement in eyewear. Zero 12 is among the dynamic new designs from the British brand. The graceful, sculptural silhouette is enhanced with a voluminous butterfly shape and blue lenses by Carl Zeiss. Elegantly crafted, Zero 12 expresses bespoke individuality and retro chic. www.finestseven.com JG

Götti Switzerland
Res Rei
MOREL
LEINZ
JISCO
GIGI STUDIOS
ROLF Spectacles

Round and Round

Eyewear in Round shapes has the distinction of being both traditional – and new. Round frames have been favoured from Benjamin Franklin to Ghandi, Iris Apfel, Elton John and Harry Potter. What is new, is the amazing diversity and the eyewear impact of dynamic Round shapes. Whether in wood, titanium, acetate, rimless, stainless steel, or mixed materials – the enthusiasm for the Round silhouette is a highlight of this season’s eyewear.

Children also love the Round shape, with Zoobug’s stylishly chic design ZB1030 certain to appeal to emerging fashion enthusiasts. The handmade acetate frame – with superb fit for young faces – is among the exciting new optical range from the award winning British brand. Fabulous colours too – including a fun, streaky mix of blue/purple/crystal, featured above. Photo by Sarah Winborn. www.zoobug.com

Perspective/Shape RR53 by Götti Switzerland

Putting rimless frames into Perspective: Sven Götti reinvents the sleekness, and minimalist aesthetics of the Round shape with his new designs from the Götti Perspective Collection. Masterfully engineered – which Götti researched and refined during several years – the frames have no soldering involved, no screws, and no glue. Perspective/Shape RR53 is a new dimension in streamlined eyewear. www.gotti.ch

Cutler BF794 Blackfin Lamina PLUS

Blackfin has launched a new chapter in their Collection – Blackfin Lamina PLUS. Superbly crafted in Italy, the frames unite titanium with cellulose acetate eye-rims. The Italian brand expresses style and innovation with Cutler BF794 in beautiful colourations. www.blackfin.eu

Topolino by ROLF Spectacles

ROLF Spectacles, the pioneers in fine wood frames, has won the renowned GOOD DESIGN Award – the prestigious recognition for cutting-edge products – with Topolino. The Round shape is reminiscent of the Italian classic car for which it is named. Handcrafted in the Tyrol, ROLF’s Topolino is available in luxurious wood combinations. www.rolf-spectacles.com

Carter Bond 9207

Bold colour accentuates Carter Bond 9207 in shimmering emerald acetate with colour-coordinating wood scratch temples. Discover more Round shapes in acetate and mixed materials from the Australian brand at www.carterbond.com

Rise by Karmoie

Norwegian designers Kirsten and Lars Iversen appreciate the timelessness of vintage frames, whilst bringing a fresh approach to their lightweight, contemporary designs. Rise in Twig acetate harmonises naturally with contrasting colour on the sides. www.karmoie.com

Iman by Spectacle Eyeworks

Canadian creator Mehran Baghaie interprets the Round shape with an intriguing design – Iman – in ultra-thin stainless steel. Colourations are linked to the various stages of the maple leaf. Explore more innovative styles at www.spec-eyeworks.com

Style 619 by Pollipo’

Pollipo’ favours the Round form in Tortoiseshell Amber acetate – style 619 – with handmade riveted hinges on the front and temples. The frames are crafted in Italy, and hand polished with the traditional tumbling process. www.pollipocchiali.it JG

 

Nogs

Interchangeable eyewear systems are not a new thing and personalisation continues to be a highly desirable characteristic for eyewear enthusiasts. NOG frames by French designer Laurent Albouy – launched at the optical fair Silmo in 2016 – take the interchangeable concept up a notch with a modular system offering smart, contemporary shapes that can be put together by their owner, in a host of different modern design-oriented colour combinations.

NOGS from France

The frames are made up of four pieces with two lenses (sun lenses are provided and optical ones can be fitted by your optician), and are completely screwless. The ease of assembly means that the wearer can change the pieces as and when they want. The pieces come in a minimal box and are standardised so that the consumer can order new coloured pieces to add to their “nogs eyewear wardrobe”. Find out more about the nogs start-up company from Lille, France, at www.nogs.fr CN