Vidal Erkohen, RVS by V., Istanbul, Turkey
13th February 2012 The designer behind the Turkish eyewear label RVS by V., pictured wearing his own sunglass design, model Ze, one of the first RVS by V. sunglasses, created in 2007. Part of the Limited Edition Gold collection launched in 2011, this version is made of a special gold acetate and fitted with custom coloured gold covered mirror (brown view) lenses.
Asked about designing for men, Vidal says: “I have never really thought of any of our frames (or any frame for that matter) as being specifically made for a man or a woman. If you have the self confidence, almost any frame can look great on you. It’s all about how you carry yourself. This is why we mostly produce all of our frames as unisex. That being said, the Ze frame is a classic oversized panto, a shape that was worn by men more then woman in history although this has changed over time. I think we need to think outside of the box, looking back in history a bit to see that almost any frame can be worn by everyone.
Our male clients mostly consist of two types of people, those who are more knowledgeable about eyewear and are looking for the same quality that was put into eyewear in the past, and those who are looking for a classic, cool design idea with a hint of something new. It is really important we showcase something that looks totally fresh without forgetting what we believe is classic. Fashion is ever changing and trends come and go, this is why I believe it is important to try to make something timeless.”
What kinds of fashion brands for men to you admire? “Personally, I mostly admire the classic brands that have brought structure to men’s fashion, although some of them may not be what they once were….for eyewear, I have admired Persol through the years and think that this brand has given many important figures an iconic look.
Sadly, the lack of quality and the greater need for more hand-produced items with a personal touch stands out. More and more people are looking for independent brands they can relate to as a buyer. As I always say, “quality before quantity” should be the goal…the knowledgable consumer doesn’t want to leave the house seeing something they have purchased being worn by everybody.” www.rvsbyv.com CN