2011

20th October 2011 Tortoise is going to be a popular choice in 2012…and while it is traditionally more common in the men’s ranges, the women’s collections have a fair few treats in store…interpretations of tortoise colours and patterns are very luxurious and refined for next year.

I am delighted to have viewed the Vera Wang Salon collection 2012 this month.. featuring the sunglass style above, Paulette, a modified cat with lots of charm, combining tortoise with a contrasting gold side. This elegant model sums up the luxurious mood of tortoise and its more feminine side. www.verawang.com

At the British designer Claire Goldsmith, the exceptional Legacy Collection also features this stand-out design “Irwin”, a unisex shape but we love it as a choice for women….the depth of the patterning is very elegant and the shape is one that will please fans of updated retro. www.clairegoldsmith.com

One other strong example of tortoise that I have picked out is from the German company Lunettes Kollektion who specialise in vintage frames, but have this great modern collection combining characteristics from past and current epochs.The tortoise design Jeunesse Toujours can be worn as an optical or sunglass model. The light tortoise tone is very much on trend, and is extremely attractive paired with the green lenses, discreet but very strong as a style statement. Stunning. www.lunettes-kollektion.com

I have lots of other tortoise favourites at the moment so it is not easy to select just three! I might be reporting back with more favourites soon, for me they are modern-day classics that deserve another renaissance (and another… and another…) CN

Funk Eyewear

18th October 2011 This stylish Germany company, who celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, offers an amazing range of creative frames for men and women, that are especially beloved by artists and musicians. Rainbow acetate in soft tones of lilac and blue (above), give this beautiful shape a gentle luminosity. Handmade in their own factories, Funk Eyewear is dedicated to quality and attention to all the little details that make their eyewear unique. www.funk.de JG

17th October 2011 I do always like to see a new line from the French eyewear company Alain Mikli….and this one certainly carries the character of the fashion designer behind it. The first Jean Paul Gaultier by Mikli Collection features 20 frames – 12 specs and 8 sunglasses…and underlines technical qualities for comfort, and a big injection of individuality in the form of “double” or “triple” temples. Model Evantail is the beauty of the collection with its unique triple temple, and comes in black, lilac and ivory (pictured above) but the sunglasses with double and triple “comb” sides are hot on its trail. Visit www.mikli.com for the video.  CN

Swiss Sculptor Debuts Eyewear Collection

15th October 2011 Didier Voirol launched his new eyewear range in Zurich at Hall of Frames, with an unusual collection in copper and stainless steel. In the photo above, Didier wears one of his designs, appropriately called ‘Didier’. Voirol’s sculptures are distinguished by a special welding point – and he uses this same technique in his eyewear. For extra durability, the frames are coated in pure iron. www.metalartconcept.com JG