Eyestylist

Ten years ago, Nathanael Wenger conceived a contemporary concept for an eyewear event – Hall of Frames Zurich. Artisan, independent brands would be featured, and Wenger was keen to find a unique location with sufficient space, amenities, and an historic past – blending both modern marketing techinques – with memorable, entertaining potential. He succeeded with Papiersaal, a noteworthy industrial building in central Zurich that is surrounded by modern architecture. With its convenient location the hall specialises in private, corporate and public events.

For a period, HOF Zurich was in other locations; now for the 10th anniversary of this annual eyewear event, the show returns to Papiersaal for a gala showcase of prestigious eyewear specialists. Participants include leading brands featured in the finest optical boutiques – including Götti Switzerland; Neubau Eyewear; Orgreen Optics; Von Arkel; Woow Eyewear; Falvin; Blackfin; Coblens; Face à Face Paris; and Specs Lab Zurich among other ultra-quality labels. Von Arkel (top image) will present their elegant designs including style 0807-001 from the Entourage Buffalo horn/Caliber 9 collection. www.vonarkel.com

Timeless designs in a variety of intriguing shapes feature at Coblens – the German label noted for its distinctive double-bridge styles. www.coblens.com

Bold and imaginative colours highlight Face à Face Paris frames in acetate (above) plus acetate and aluminium combinations. www.faceaface-paris.com

Retro and futuristic elements harmonise in Silverdale BF828 from the Blackfin Black Edition designs. The exclusive finish is possible with the Blackfin Nano-Plating treatment. www.blackfin.eu

Come join the fun – both business and pleasure – at Hall of Frames Zurich – 07-08 October at Papiersaal. www.hallofframes.ch JG

The charm of current trends in eyewear and the effect of ground-breaking technological advancements is nowhere more evident than in the men’s eclectic eyewear collections. Gone are the ordinary shapes and lack lustre colours, replaced by specs styles with beautiful  finishes, colour enhancements, tiny embellishments or special details to catch the eye.

Materials are a particular mode of expression for this new direction, whether traditional (with a new colour proposal) or more avantgarde or complex in how the final result is achieved.

Above: Illustrating an acute attention to details to create an effect: Original Penguin’s the Moocher, which has the look of a suspended lens, with a coloured frame and crystal inner eye rim. www.kenmarkeyewear.com

For luxury, acetate model 9256 by the Australian eyewear brand Carter Bond, designed by Jono Hennessy, concentrates on a superb tonal range: colours in the latest WONDERLUST collection emerge from a naturally deep base of woodland and camouflage torts. Softer shades blend together into a range that has been designed “to work with their tonal partners and textural contrasts.” www.carterbond.com

Kafée Racer, a new capsule collection from Tavat Eyewear, is the result of a design competition run at the Art Centre College of Design in Pasadena, California. The winning student, Miguel Harry, went on to collaborate on a statement piece with the brand, inspired by the world of Café Racing, striving to produce eyewear with the functional and aesthetic elements of the classic motorcycles. Tavat saw this piece at a perfect addition to the collection, which focuses on combining form with function and designing technical eyewear with purpose. www.tavat-eyewear.com

The beautiful originality of the vinyl frames in Tipton’s Vinylize collection comes from their texture and striped coloration, as well as their understated shapes. The frames are produced in Budapest, and hand finished with quality features such as resistant 3 barrel hinges. For further details visit www.vinylize.com

With a camo colour theme, and expertly finished bevelling which lends a sculptured effect to temples, Claire Goldsmith’s model Hendrix is a bold chic statement in her latest collection that pays attention to classic highlights – such as the tiny traditional double rivets at the temples – with a heritage that includes the most eloquent of celebrity endorsements for this type of chunky acetate design, notably the British actor Michael Caine. www.olivergoldsmith.com CN

Certain blue tones are like a rhapsody – expressive and effusive. Blue hues are harmoniously connected with the sea and sky: plus depth, stability, loyalty, faith, confidence and wisdom. French artist Yves Klein registered his own blue – International Klein Blue – and in 1957 he declared: “The whole world is blue”, and created a Klein Blue Globe. Eyewear designers fall under the beautiful blue spell as well with stunning, uniquely crafted frames that frequently reference the magic and variety of the colour. Chic frame designs by Plein Les Mirettes include Hybride 3 (top image) in lively blue acetate with metal details. www.plein-les-mirettes.fr

Theo was inspired by Japan – the culture, beauty and yes…the noodles. Oodles of noodles are everywhere in Japan, and theo captured the fluent noodle shapes in five masterful stainless steel frames – including SOBA – in brilliant blue – and other amazing colours. www.theo.be

Titanium is the sleek material in l.a. Eyeworks symmetrically sculpted design in Bic blue. The elegant shape is further enhanced with finely crafted detailing on the frame front. www.laeyeworks.com

A glorious shade of Ocean Blue in acrylic highlights Justin from Kirk & Kirk. The shape is bold and streamlined, with subtle intricate detailing. www.kirkandkirk.com

Zac Posen’s men collection includes designs that reflect old-world style, while utilising contemporary, custom materials, hardware and hinges. A handsome oval shape  – linear and lightweight – highlights Delany in Midnight Blue. www.kenmarkeyewear.com JG

 

Beautiful colours, alluring materials, and imaginative shapes characterise optical frames with optimum style chic. Creative concepts enhance the latest frames from international designers, confirming that eyewear is an elite accessory not only for corrective sight, but fashion flair. Danish brand Orgreen Optics features a sleek panto-silhouette – Vitus – in a mix of titanium and beta-titanium in seven lovely colourations, including 801 shown above. Nathaneal Wenger at Hall of Frames Zurich describes Vitus as: “My absolute favourite design and it works well with men too.” Orgreen Optics is among the artisan independent brands that will be presenting at Hall of Frames Zurich on 07-08 October at Papeiersaal. More news on the 10th anniversary celebrations for HOF soon on Eyestylist.com! www.orgreenoptics.com www.hallofframes.ch

Oliviero Zanon for Res/Rei highlights streamlined designs in The Cocktails Collection – ultra-light construction in elegant feminine shapes. Americano explores refreshing, delicate colourations in stunning acetate combinations from Mazzucchelli – handcrafted in Italy. www.resrei.com

A cheerful burgundy/cherry acetate design – Jacques – by KBL Eyewear is crafted in a timeless shape, with pure lines and aesthetic simplicity. Explore www.kbleyewear.eu for more optical and sunglass styles.

Never misplace or lose your glasses again! Frame Chain has the ideal solution with graceful chains in metal (above) delicate pearls, or desirable combinations. Discover the ingenious designs by Annie and Vanessa, co-founders of Frame Chain at www.framechain.co.uk

Sol Sol Ito is the exclusive Swiss brand with frame designs that maximise visual impact. Acetate and metal combine in a subtle pastel blue frame with the brands innovative twin-steel sides. Visit www.solsolito.com for more elegant designs.

Acclaimed fashion designer Zac Posen brings his couture technique to eyewear with commanding masculine eye shapes. A retro-inspired square shape in Forest Green with custom metal detailing on the temples combines with enduring tortoiseshell. www.kenmarkeyewear.com JG

The arrival of spring and summer is abundant with thoughts of holidays, sun, warmth, and perhaps a leisurely escape. Time to celebrate and seek adventure, fun, and self-reflection to either new destinations  – or revisit favourite havens that have become very special. Whatever your preferences, greet the sunny season with that most glamorous of accessories – sunglasses. A particularly alluring design is Jono Hennessy’s stunning leopard print acetate frame (Top image 8402) with a gorgeous voluminous shape. www.jonohennessy.com

The numerous possibilities with 3D printing highlight the elegant geometric and topographical structures in the latest 3D Götti Dimension sunglasses, including Ella in sleek deep-dark blue wth a semi-matt finish. www.gotti.ch

The artistic flair of Lucia Pasin at Lu.Pa Studio in Italy radiates in her vivid design – Peggy Purple Poppies – influenced by Peggy Guggenheim, collector and supporter of modern art. http://www.lupa-studio.myshopify.com

Petra by Kirk and Kirk shimmers in charismatic luminous green acrylic with a sculpted retro-inspired shape. www.kirkandkirk.com JG

Sunny days forecast! From picnics to promenades, sun worshiping to surfing, tennis to trekking, summer is the season that offers innumerable activities to enjoy. Enhance these pleasures with sunglasses that provide style chic and protection from ultra-violet rays. The sun spec selection is diverse in shape, colour, material and fashion savvy – as seen in L.G.R’s elegant design Orchid in Limoncello (above) from the enchanting L.G.R Capri Collection. www.lgrworld.com

Dynamic colours and glamorous acetate proportions fuse in Jono Hennessy’s 8400 Limited Edition Botanical frames. www.jonohennessy.com

A voluminous shape finely crafted excels in Pettibone in Antique Rose with gradient lenses by SALT. Optics.  Photographed by Clement Jolin in the California desert for the striking SALT.”Day in the Desert” campaign. https://saltoptics.com/blogs/news/blog-post-one

Charm and allure characterise The Moon by Anna-Karin Karlsson with genuine akoya pearls and zirconia crystals. www.annakarinkarlsson.com

Zoobug’s delightful Regent’s Park campaign featuring children’s sun designs combines fashion savvy children love, and high-performing quality lenses with 100% UV protection. www.zoobug.com

Beautiful Sapphire Blue Transitions Style Colour lenses highlight a colourful Vanni frame. www.stylecolours.co.uk www.vanniocchiali.com JG

 

 

Summer and sunglasses are synonymous and this season’s presentations offer stunning choices in materials, styles and colours. Tinted lenses bring additional zip to sun specs in glamorous, unexpected shades. Cat-eye shapes; graphic and angular frames; round shapes in mini and oversized designs; plus aviators – a perennial favourite – feature in varied selections. It’s time to celebrate summer with beautiful, distinctive sun specs from international designers.

Götti Switzerland has accumulated numerous awards for their innovative designs. The latest accolade is Frame of the Year 2018 for the elegant rimless model DC05, from the Götti Perspective collection (top image). “For me, rimless glasses are the most prestigious discipline in the design of glasses,” says designer and owner Sven Götti, “and achieving the technical requirements with so few materials took over eight years of development.” The captivating shape with tinted lenses is constructed without soldering or screws. Explore more Götti technical innovations at www.gotti.ch

Drama, beauty, intrigue – Opera has it all, and is the influence for the striking designs in the Diva Collection by Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei. The Divas are glamorous sunglasses with haute-couture touches in Mazzucchelli acetate. Norma has round, expressive shaping, further enhanced with tonal colour explorations. www.resrei.com

The Danish smorrebrod concept – delicious layering on sandwiches – inspires a distinctive Limited Edition sunglass design from The Signature Collection by Fleye Copenhagen – Lobster. Sculptural shaping, meticulously handcrafted in beta-titanium, ensures a slim, very light, and extremely comfortable frame. Fun and playful! www.fleye.dk

Summer days on the river in Paris inspire KBL with Seine – a contemporary, sleek sunglass design in Tortoiseshell acetate and gold metal. Seine reflects a refined, timeless design that embraces new technology. www.kbleyewear.com

LINDBERG’S latest sunglass designs for men are debonair, slim line and expertly crafted in the finest materials. Model 8412 highlights an architectural sensibility with a double bridge. All LINDBERG sunglasses are suitable for prescription lenses. www.lindberg.com

The Girl in the Garden Collection by Anna-Karin Karlsson includes luxurious sunglasses in 24K gold-plated titanium, totally handcrafted. Japanese titanium artists individually sculpt the lush flowers that embellish The Garden. www.annakarinkarlsson.com JG

Bold and beautiful, dash and daring characterise the eyewear designs of Anna-Karin Karlsson. Now the prolific Swedish designer has launched a jewellery collection – abundant with AKK’s inimitable, imaginative dreams steeped in strength and statement. “There is so much half-hearted stuff out there,” said the designer, “and I wanted to create something that was strong, graphic, beautiful and enduring.” Top image: Anna-Karin Karlsson

The Anna-Karin Fashion Jewellery Collection includes necklaces, bracelets, and earrings of distinction. Flowers are a particular inspiration for Karlsson – and she enlarges on this theme with the Rose Noir Necklace crafted in resin and 24k gold plated metal. The sculpted design sits elegantly and comfortably on the neck.

Karlsson has a delightful sense of humour that she portrays in her eyewear – and the jewellery as well. She is curious and fascinated with life, the environment, and animals. A wide cuff bracelet in plated white gold is enhanced with a handpainted colourful bug.

The timelessness of gold chains is elegantly interpreted by Karlsson in 24k gold plated links that can be worn with variety. Currently, Anna-Karin Karlsson’s Fashion Jewellery Collection is available in Russia, France, Portugal, Sweden and South Africa. With her prodigious talent, it is intriguing to contemplate what Anna-Karin’s next exciting quest may be…www.annakarinkarlsson.com JG