Eyestylist

Seaside pleasures, silky sand, blue skies and the sea inspire the latest elegant sunglass designs by Blackfin. The Italian label combines stylish design, impeccable crafting, superb materials and rich colours into each frame. Blackfin’s theme centres on Natural Awareness – a journey of discovery and rediscovery, culminating in new realisations. Minimalism accentuates the frames in the material par excellence – Titanium –  celebrated for its characteristics of strength, durability, and featherweight properties. A plus for summer – titanium is resistant to corrosion in seawater and does not tarnish. Among the exquisite designs (above) is Cape May, a tribute to the Victorian charm of the summer resort in New Jersey on America’s east coast.

Titanium technical brilliance shines expressively in Ventura with a contemporary form, and distinctive detailing on the frame front and a double bridge. Innovative titanium production processes ensure the frames are extremely flexible, yet lightweight and strong.

A dramatic silhouette reminiscent with hints of retro, Coral Cove is generously shaped and trimmed with white on the frame front. Coral Cove is also available in other striking contrasting palettes. Click on www.blackfin.eu for more Blackfin designs with beauty and technical superiority. JG   Photos: Giovanni De Sandre All Rights Reserved

Alluring, bold and distinctive sunglasses adhere to the edit of Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink, the founders of Sol Sol Ito. They believe that frames should capture the personality of the wearer, plus ensuring beautiful craftsmanship, comfort and durability. Sol Sol Ito sunglass creations are individualistic with dash and dare, as seen in style 020S (above) with its splendid voluminous shape in acetate and metal.

Voluptuous shaping highlights glamorous Sol Sol Ito Original style 039 in luminous acetate and quality metal. Precision production and intricate technical advances are ingrained in each pair of stunning frames created by the independent Swiss brand.

Prodigious shaping and eye-catching design radiate strong, confident impressions in Sandra and Monika’s latest sunglass design – Sol Sol Ito Original 043DC. Black-gold highlights the acetate front, with jade side pieces and golden metal temples. Discover more fascinating Sol Sol Ito designs at www.solsolito.com JG Photos: Nina Maria Glahe All Rights Reserved

With her keen eye for elegance, refinement and detail, Birgitte Falvin creates bespoke frames that reflect her philosophy for subtle, chic luxury. Her jewellery background, unified with precision and attention to every aspect of fine design, enables Birgitte to create beautiful frames with discreet opulence. SHADES for the sunglass season, highlight frames the Danish creator streamlines in customised, graceful Titanium silhouettes, sometimes accented with rose gold or 24carat gold. (Above image: Orbit and Halo Shades)

Danish and Japanese craftsmanship by gifted artisans who understand the importance of comfortable fit and the sleek contours of the designs, ensure frames with a prestigious pedigree. Discover more sumptuous FALVIN designs at www.falvin.dk JG

New labels with an artisan direction make a refreshing focus in a crowded eyewear field

Designed in Paris. Made in France. Closely following the most timeless sunglasses designs of the past. The French label Lunettes Alf, now in its second year, is the work of two brothers, Alexis and Germain, who have made it their mission to produce a small, authentic collection based on classic design and precise traditional production techniques.

“Our designs are removed from any eccentricities, they are true timeless classics,” they say enthusiastically. “The Alf brand takes its inspiration from sober and refined styles. The ambition of our products is defined by the authenticity and uniqueness of the design, our best-in-class production method, innovative and carefully targeted communication, and a selective product distribution.”

The sunglasses are produced in carefully selected acetates from Japan combined with very comfortable to wear photochromic mineral lenses – offering high-quality and a very attractive colour finish. Design elements such as the rivets – as in traditional frames – are visible in the front of the frame and on the temples. When you buy one of the sunglasses designs you receive an artisan leather case and matching cord.

The brothers have worked to achieve a strict quality control, and this is immediately evident in the frames when you hold them in your hand. “We have represented our dedication to quality on the designs themselves by adding a red thread knotted by hand (in the left end tip) in the workshop,” they explain.

“For now, we have 5 sunglass models in 6 acetate colours and 3 lens colours (a total of 90 possibilities!). They are offering 4 optical models in 6 colours (24 possibilities). The name Alf is short for Atelier de Lunetterie Français translated ‘French Eyewear Workshop’. For more information about this emerging brand, visit www.lunettes-alf.com CN

Australia’s rich heritage of beautiful native flowers is the colourful inspiration for Jono Hennessy with their elegant Flora Botanica designs. The sophisticated frames are crafted from luminous bespoke acetates in sleek shapes, and tonal colourations with eye-catching charisma and unique texture. (Above image: Gossyp with custom acetate lamination)

Classic black, vibrant shades, and hues of flower nuances – including gum red, ocean green and cobalt blue are included in the colour palette.

The stylistic collection highlights contemporary shapes, and soft cat-eye silhouettes, further enhanced with precise details. Visit www.jonohennessy.com for more details on Flora Botanica and additional innovative designs from the Australian label. JG

Lifestyle, design, innovation and collection highlights: read all about it in the stunning new magazine produced by Götti Switzerland. ON THE COVER encapsulates the creative, distinctive world of Götti, presented in a sleek publication with photos by fashion photographer Zosia Prominska.

Designer Sven Götti commented: “Our latest campaign is multi-layered. On the one hand there are classic close-up portrait shots. We love these photographs because the glasses are staged as objects. With our glasses, we would also like to pass on the joy of life and imagination. The pictures are a fusion of a positive lifestyle with the ability to surprise. The campaign was created and implemented in close collaboration with fashion photographer Zosia Prominska. In the new Götti magazine there are over one hundred pages with important information about the brand and our products, as well as interesting information that is well-worth knowing about the people behind the Götti label.”

Götti is an independent Swiss brand with an international roster of fine opticians. Timelessness, precise minimalism, innovation, and traditional craftsmanship ensure eyewear designs with character, individuality and contemporary chic. Visit www.gotti.ch and discover the variety of beautiful eyewear, including technically glamorous 3-D printed designs in Götti Dimension. Photos by Zosia Prominska All Rights Reserved JG

Eyestylist Exclusives: LINDBERG: Style with substance – Spring/Summer 2019 Sun Collection

LINDBERG’s air titanium rim collection of the 1990s, a time when the Danish company flourished through its innovation in super light, highly technical almost invisible eyewear, is behind the slick fashion direction of their sunglasses for 2019 – a collection that combines essential fashion style with extraordinarily precise technical qualities designed for supreme functionality and comfort.
When it was launched for the first time in 1993, the air titanium rim design was an immediate success much for its lightweight comfort and technical excellence – as well as the individual identity and advanced functionality of the spiral hinge which continues to be seen as one of its most iconic design innovations to this day.
In model 8316 (above), the trendy narrow proportions of the micro frame are further enhanced by a vintage-inspired double bridge. The design featured shows the super thin titanium temples in a refined gold coloration paired with a distinctive black front, a combination that adds a luxurious finish to the model. Above: Danish model Josephine Skriver wearing LINDBERG 8316, the new micro sunglasses style

In recent years, the combination of acetate and titanium has entered several LINDBERG collections. Sun model 8317 illustrates the way in which the two materials can complement one another from a design perspective, as well as through advanced technical precision to create light, easy-to-wear sun models. The titanium temples and nose pad detailing are easily adjusted to ensure the frame fits the face perfectly. A narrow titanium line sweeps across the brow line creating a unique contemporary feel on the classic cat’s eye frame shape. For the full EYESTYLIST EXLUSIVES news and more LINDBERG designs click on the link: https://mailchi.mp/29a16a503861/eyestylist-exclusives-1563353

www.LINDBERG.com CN

Exuberant, vivid and charismatic, Frida Kahlo grasped the bold beauty of Mexico’s abundant nature and artefacts. Joëlle Rey at BOZ captures the diversity, distinctive flair and dazzling colourations in a fabulous new collection of frames. There are fourteen exceptional designs, inspired by the unique personality of Frida Kahlo, and the amazing art that she created. Interpretation of the artist’s flamboyance is expressed in graphic elements, luminous transparencies, and exceptional patterns.

The distinctive shape of ILLUSION is derived from the theme of Mexican festivals embodied by a symbol of femininity – the Flower, which symbolises many of Kahlo’s paintings. A unique interplay of technicality, inventiveness, and joyful colours complete the sleek, sophisticated look.

Aesthetic elements and decorative motifs on the top of IMPALA reflect the lace that appears on Mexican openwork shawls. The frame exudes sumptuousness and graphic codes inspired by geometric abstraction.

Detailed metal work highlights IBONIA with lacy trim around the frame front. Modern and feminine, a small removable charm accessorises the design with a touch of coquetry. The tiny charm refers to popular Mexican holidays. Discover the charismatic, uninhibited spirit of Frida Kahlo and Mexico skilfully expressed in this stunning new collection at www.boz-eyewear.fr JG

Wearing glasses is an exciting expression of style, flair and individuality. Choices abound –  technical innovations with intriguing materials; amazing colourations derived from nature and imagination –  plus tantalising shapes. Whether sporty; glamorous; contemporary; sophisticated; cool or trendy; optical designs offer impressive, stunning options. Leading label l.a. Eyeworks launches spring with spirited, signature designs in vivid provocative colours, as featured in Mollusk (above image) in a medley of tones with scalloped shaping.

California designers Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gheradi at l.a. Eyeworks have a great sense of humour, which is creatively infused into the frame designs – as well as colour and style options. The contemporary shaping in Zecca – circle meets square dialogue and colours enhanced with double layering – is shown above in Rad Red, and is also available in hues of Cosmic Tortoise; Tulip Sun; Rain Puddle and Black Pearls.

Graphic and bold, acetate and titanium join forces in Hatch – a sleek silhouette embracing unique colour combinations, including Matcha Net with Black Velvet shown above. The latest optical frames from l.a. Eyeworks vibrate with dynamic energy and charisma. See more Limited Edition designs at www.laeyeworks.com JG

An imposing handpainted mural (above) portraying the founder Wim Somers in neon tones at the top covers one huge expanse of wall at the front of theo’s home in Antwerp. The colour combinations and design are indicative of a pioneering spirit and the bold, innovative and industrious direction of the theo family today represented by the second generation, brothers Mik, Jan and Toon.

In its own equally expressive statement, the Graffiti collection by theo, launched at the Paris eyewear fair Silmo 2018 and now available in stores, looks to pay homage to the freedom and impact of street art. It explores the specific language of expression and lettering used by the New York graffiti artist ‘Phase 2’ in the late 1970s, reworking the effect with a whole different look in the frames.

The style of the ‘bubble-letters’ or ‘softies’ became extremely influential at the time and continue to be regarded in the art form as a ‘gigantic leap’. Here in the new theo eyewear collection, the expression of the letters is achieved through the protruding rounded acetate rims, in coordinated or contrasting colours on the stainless steel base frame, also worked to replicate the bubble effect with little ‘breaks’ through the design.

Three frame shapes – models Tag, Throwie and Piece – realised by Serge Bracké, work with the acetate and stainless steel mix – and come in eight graffiti inspired bright statement hues which include ‘glowing’ neon-like pinks and oranges that perfectly identify with the ultra-brilliant tones of the best fluorescent spray paints.

theo belgium’s first glasses became available in 1989. Today their collections are sold in 1,400 stores in 50 countries. Many of their optical partners make the journey to Antwerp to visit HQ and experience the theo world first hand. Find out more at www.theo.be CN