February, 2011 | Eyestylist

Per 13

1st February 2011

Histoire de Voir

I’ve got a bit of a thing about crystal at the moment so I’ve selected an example here that is really outstanding. This frame is made from transparent acetate combined with leather, yes, beautiful, tactile leather….The designer Stephane Sarnin is one of few in the spectacle business who specialises in leather designs.

Much of the work is done by hand by Stephane in a workshop – a finish like this could not ever be mass produced. The whole collection is quite astounding given the complexities of assembling the materials and combining leather with other more commonly used materials like acetate. I can also recommend the styles using embossed leathers with beautiful antique patterning. They are very original. CN www.histoire-de-voir.com

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Five

14298 / 3Quart

1st February 2011

Christian Roth

Acetate is a versatile material for frames and the opportunity to use colourful handmade acetates is never wasted by designers Christian Roth and Eric Domege, who were two of the first spectacle creators to set trends (in the 1980s and 1990s) and dictate the look of the moment…this pair of sunglasses, pictured in orange, is also available in classic havana. It has a strong oversize square eye shape, and the acetate has a special striated pattern which gives it a unique handmade, vintage feel; the light orange tinted lenses which allow the eyes to be seen below them unite with the frame to create a style which is unusual and playful. CN www.christian-roth.com

Reviews

Fess Up

1st February 2011

Blinde

The Blinde Collection is one of several brands under the auspices of Optical Shop International – creators of diva glasses for women and truly trendsetter styles for men. Fess Up is a luxurious handmade creation, with a hint of Retro, in Italian and Japanese acetate zyl. There is a genuine feel-good factor with these glasses even in your hand, that translates onto your face when wearing them. The finely bevelled temple, custom hinges and wonderfully expressive colours – like the Royal Purple featured – insure that Fess Up is a pleasure to wear. JG www.opticalshopinternational.com

Reviews

Tuba

1st February 2011

l.a eyeworks

Eyewear designers Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds were among the first to create exciting frames in unexpected colourations. That was in the early 1980’s, and since then, loyal followers (including me!) around the globe seek their colour adventures in frames. The California-based design team are a wellspring of unique ideas for eyewear. Elton John and Arnold Schwarzenegger head a star-studded list of wearers who covet the flare, fashion and fit that is an essential with every frame. Tuba is a good example of Gai and Barbara’s creativity with modern shaping and experimental use of colour. Creamy, soft buttery acetate is counter coloured with rich chocolate sculpted along the bold brow – it’s subtle and chicly sophisticated. The frame is also available in an elegant blue on blue and black and green. You can find fashion forward frames by l.a.eyeworks in London at Mallon & Taub on Marylebone High Street and Ste Maral optic in Paris. JG www.laeyeworks.com

Eight

Vanessa & Mehdi 1003-1007

1st February 2011

Vanessa & Mehdi

Vanessa & Mehdi design frames with amazing engineering feats. In 2007, they won a coveted Silmo D’Or (an Oscar equivalent in eyewear) and they bring a unique style to their creations, with ethereal, futuristic elements combined with technological innovation. Their frames have a mechanism designed in mould-injected metal that ensures a micrometric adjustment, so that every frame has a customized fit for the temples and frame front. The lenses on these particularly distinctive frames, give the illusion of “floating”, and purple is just one of several delicious colours in which these frames are available.You can find these frames and other innovative designs by Vanessa & Mehdi at Blanco Optica in Valladolid, Spain and Optique Milbert in Remich, Luxembourg. JG www.vanessaetmehdi.com