June 2011

LF Luxe 31

Linda Farrow Luxe

I love the bamboo trend, and here’s a great frame from the luxury collection by the UK’s Linda Farrow, which uses bamboo temples. The frame pictured here has a graduated black to clear plastic front teamed with clear lenses, but there is also flexibility to fit the style as a sunglass. The bamboo sides are quite chunky, making a feature of the texture of the material and producing a clever contrast with the smooth front of the design. Other colours I like in this are the tortoiseshell frame with gradient sun lenses which match with the natural bamboo tones. Linda Farrow Luxe uses titanium finishings plated in 24-carat gold, another sophisticated detail which shows the attention paid to every small part of the design. CN

www.lindafarrow.com

 

Essential 1240-41

ProDesign

This collection started with just a simple line drawn on a piece of paper. Then another. Then another. The designs grew in this way, instinctively, and creatively. The colour combinations of the acetate temples are exclusive to ProDesign. (Rather than taking the easy option and working with pre-manufactured acetate sheets.)

The monotone fronts are quite unisex to look at but the powerful colour combinations on the temples make the frames more feminine. In this series, there are two shapes, in six colours each. CN http://prodesigndenmark.com

 

 

Model 1235

Lindberg Acetanium

I’ve never worn Lindberg’s Acetanium, but I’ve always seen it as a collection that offers great comfort, along with very classy contemporary styling. If I needed to wear specs all the time I’d definitely try it out. The aim was to combine titanium and acetate in one design, using both to their greatest potential. The result is a design that is light, comfy, and hard-wearing particularly around the bridge and hinges. Model 1235 has a deep rectangular eye shape; there are overtones of the so-called “geek chic” look, but it’s subtly done…and it comes in a wide selection of timeless colours. CN

www.lindberg.com

Mech-flex V3611

Vanni

I like the simplicity of this model, from the Mech-Flex range by Vanni, produced by the Italian design company Nico Design. This model combines thin steel and plastic, and it comes from a range that brings together bright fun colours and clean, practical design. The style above features a special hinge, the Mech-flex, which adds flexibility and extra wearer comfort. Offered in four colourways, my favourite is the on-trend matt violet  and purple version, but you can also choose a patterned front teamed with black, a dark violet with turquoise, or brown with fuchsia. The enthusiasm for detail here sets this optical range apart. Very well done. CN

www.vanniocchiali.com

www.nicodesign.it

Project Ocean – London, England

Selfridges campaigns to Save our Seas

1st June 2011 An inspiring retail initiative by Selfridges is a call to action for people to recognise the danger of overfishing and pollution, and be aware of the urgent need for marine protection.  Designers Katharine Hamnett, Philip Treacy, plus The Zoological Society of London, Greenpeace, WWF and others are participating in order to address the issue of sustainability and to defend the fish in our seas.  Creative window displays, in-store entertainment, lectures, cooking demonstrations and films illustrate the fragility of global seas.  Not to be missed is the magnificent coral exhibition that usually lives in the Aquarium at The London Zoo.  These exquisite symbols of marine life are also endangered.  Selfridges has published an informative booklet to identify fish at risk, (free to consumers) which also suggests alternatives to those under threat.  Project Ocean at Selfridges is the best reason ever to “go shopping.” Until 12 June. www.selfridges.co.uk Check out www.fish2fork.com for a list of sustainability-minded restaurants. JG