2011

Celebrate the Joy of Eyewear!

‘Tis the season for joy and revelry, and this month we are featuring international creators worthy of celebration. Our Designer of the Month is an extraordinary accessory designer, and we’re also introducing several boutiques offering flair and style. Visit City Guides for new exhibitions, holiday concerts, and unique winter events. To all of our valued readers, supporters, and advertisers, we wish you a most joyful and peaceful Holiday Season! JG

GIGI STUDIOS
DIFFUSER Tokyo
Look
Loft. New York. March 14-17
LEINZ
Orgreen
100% Optical London 24 to 26 February 2024 at Excel London - register for free

Stray Series, Graz

28th December 2011 Graz announced the release of this range yesterday. It’s said to feature a combination of various materials and finishes….designer Mulcahy is releasing the first 3 versions this week, but promises more to come. Shapes are stupendous in this line…a square, a hexagon favourite of ours and a lemon shape. www.grazmulcahy.com CN

TVR True Vintage Revival
GIGI STUDIOS
LAMARCA EYEWEAR
Orgreen
Loft. New York. March 14-17
JISCO

Eyewear as Card Art

Frames Inspire Australian Artist

27th December 2011 Eyewear fans know how inspirational frames can be. Card artists also find eyewear a creative force as frames continue to innovate and stimulate the imagination. Award winning Australian artist Christopher Vine uses vintage-style eyewear for his greeting cards produced by Portfolio in London. Vine’s distinctive colours, creativity and flair have captured an international following. In London, Vine’s cards can be found at Portfolio Cards, 105 Golborne Road W10. www.portfoliocards.com JG

Aurum

Eyekemist Eyewear – New Designer Launch in Paris

21st December 2011 Eyekemist arrived on the designer eyewear scene in August of this year, and already the frames have attracted an international following. Designer Julien Vansteeger’s first collection features ophthalmic frames in quality acetate that shimmer with delicate luminosity. The multi-talented Belgian, who is also a professional photographer and graphic artist, has created five models, in four luscious colours – velvet, brown, smoke, and ruby (above), each with a hint of subdued retro styling. The intriguing company name derives from Vansteeger’s interest in alchemy, and his desire to “create pieces of art”. He’s off to a great start! www.ugdoptics.com JG

LAMARCA EYEWEAR
BLACKFIN
LEINZ
JISCO
VAVA Eyewear
Loft. New York. March 14-17

Azzedine Alaïa Retrospective

Fantastic Alaïa Fashion Creations at The Groninger Museum, The Netherlands

18th December 2011 Femininity, flirtatiousness and flair are the hallmark of Alaïa designs. Women adore his clothes, for their glamour, sensuality, style and cut. To celebrate the couturier’s fabulous collections of the past ten years, The Groninger Museum in Groningen, The Netherlands, presents a stunning exhibition – Azzedine Alaïa in the 21st Century.

Vanessa Friedman in the Financial Times describes the show as: “a tutorial in what happens when an exacting mind relentlessly works a few ideas to their natural extreme – a case study in just how far basic cloth such as knit, wool, cotton and skins can be pushed so that it transforms into something completely other.”

 

TVR True Vintage Revival
Loft. New York. March 14-17
MOREL
Götti Switzerland
GIGI STUDIOS
OGI Eyewear
Article One
Slinky, Sensuous, Timeless: Alaïa

Alaïa’s experimentation and creativity with fabric is splendidly evident, and “completely other”, when translated into designs that embrace and celebrate a woman’s body. This retrospective is a sequel to the original presentation at The Groninger Museum in 1997-1998, that highlighted Alaïa’s early designs. The Tunisian-born Alaïa is one of fashion’s most important couturiers, and the exhibition is a fitting tribute to his extraordinary talents. Until 6 May 2012 www.groningermuseum.nl JG