August 2012

Colour codes

Vidal Erkohen, RVS by V. on colour

13th August 2012 Glistening gold, shocking pink, or delicate pattern inspired by Turkish tiles? RVS by V. from Turkey works with punchy colours and trendsetting tonal combinations as well as introducing innovative concepts for patterned frames. As part of our celebration on colour this month, Eyestylist.com asked RVS by V.’s Vidal Erkohen to explain his love of colour in eyewear. (Above: Custom gold and blue mirroring with @muratoptik for RVS Eyewear models “Morro” and “Naomi”).

 

Take me back to when you first started producing your own RVS by V. designs….what were your groundbreaking colours and colour combos then? At first my goal was to combine and use colours that were not being used at the time especially since bright colours were not yet back in fashion as they are today. Two of the most unusual colours I used and combined at the time were bright orange and silver which was very successful among our followers.

Celine by RVS by V.

How has your work in colour developed and what do you feel is your signature style today? I think the fact we are able to combine any colours that our clients request is a big difference compared to other eyewear brands out there. I love how colours work together and even though most people shy away from wearing bright ones, let alone combining them with each other, we love to present something unusual with each model we release. We have now started to use patterned acetates and are combining them with plain colours as well as prints like those used for our “Iznik” collaboration. I am especially fond of our combination of pale pink and sky blue acetate which was named by one of our good clients (Coyote Degroot of Labrabbit Optics) as the “Miami Vice” combination. It’s one of my favorites; even though the colour combo may sound feminine, it balances well and looks as good on a man is it does on a woman.

Comment on your use of opaque and how that effects the colours you use? Ever since we released our brand, our motto has been to make the eyewear with the best matt finish out there and although many have persuaded us to release a shiny collection I am strongly against it. Our brand is, and always will be made with a matt finish. I believe it is our Matt finish that balances out our vibrant colours and represents the look of a pair of RVS frames. Also, the feel of our frames when worn is another aspect that is very important for me and I believe the matt finish we use makes wearing and touching our frames all the more enjoyable.

New pink by RVS by V.

You have just started to use more patterned colour – the new model Celine above is a good example – please comment; it is quite a different look to your use of colour blocking? Yes, the patterned acetate is a first for us and a sign of what is to come in the future. The colours such as Camoflauge and Deep Purple we have used are colours that I believe women may not be used to at first but will open a new perspective on the classic larger sized ladies’ glasses out there.  The use of colour and all their combinations offers even the most classic design dozens of different faces. This is one of our main goals, keeping things classic without repeating what has been done in the past. (more…)

Colour codes

Streamlined and Colourful by Hoet

10th August 2012 The newest addition to the striking Cabrio series by Bieke Hoet, of Hoet Design Studio in Belgium, is a delightful multicolour version. Optimal eye protection is assured with the dramatic shape that fits comfortably on the face. The colour variations are playful – ocean blue temples with a touch of orange, or red splashed with vivid yellow – very stylish and distinctive. www.cabrio-eyewear.eu JG

Extroverted Colours from Hoet Design Studio

 

 

Fendi Limited Edition – FS5262L

Colour: Sunny yellow

9th August 2012 Fendi, in partnership with Maserati, has produced this luxury aviator which, it says, is made by hand in precious materials including fine metals and leather. It is a very light frame, produced in Italy, and it features the yellow Fendi logo on the lens. It is a classic interpretation of the aviator with the slightly unusual addition of colour – actually that is a yellow that I think should be worn a lot more. It is really out there so if you are looking for more subtle, you might want to consider the version that comes in a traditional grey leather/gunmetal with green lenses. www.fendi.com CN

 

Trend alert: new neutrals

8th August 2012 Contrary to what you’d expect, classic natural tones can make a bold statement in eyewear; they are far from being the quieter, more understated choice as they can be in apparel and clothes. For next season, it’s the patterning in the natural toned acetate specs that has caught my eye, the grainy wood-effects, the innovative new ways of representing animal prints and tortoise, alongside lovely translucent crystal-clear nudes that are both delicate and a little bit edgy for the darker winter months. I’ve picked out two frames that illustrate two of these directions for the autumn.

Dita’s Lindl

Dita’s Lindl is a handmade oversized acetate frame (top and above) featuring their signature optical hex screw hinges. It comes in a few colours including a grainy black and this Tokyo tortoise finish, which, as the pictures show, has character in the form of the stripy textured effect. It is perfectly in tune with new season trends. £350 available from Dita Legends, www.ditalegends.com

 

Cutler & Gross 1026 in Cola/Trans Miele

In contrast, this Cutler & Gross model shows how the pure transparency of acetate in subtle, nude tones can be so elegant and feminine..it is a look to look for through the winter. I’ve studied all the models in the latest Cutler & Gross collections this week and I have some specific ones to recommend; they are a delight. This model combines two sensuous and soft tones, the front in one, the arms in the other. The soft rounded eye shape is a nice take on retro for the coming season, as expected from this classic British specs label. www.cutlerandgross.com CN

For more reports on Autumn/Winter trends, written and brought to you exclusively by the Editors at Eyestylist.com, keep your eye on this space.

 

Ottica iSee

Super statement eyewear!

6th August 2012 Ottica iSee is in Santa Maria degli Angeli, just near the pretty medieval town of Assisi in Italy. The store concentrates on special labels like BlueMagicEye, Claire Goldsmith, Massada and Ksubi. I recently saw their window, a work of art featuring colourful, giant specs. Owner Alessio Brunozzi explained that he selected the shapes and had them printed on paper. A carpenter helped them cut the five different spectacle shapes from wood sheets and they were painted in bright colours. It was intensive work, says Alessio, but clearly worthwhile. www.ottica-isee.it CN

Ottica iSee di Alessio Brunozzi, Via San Pio X, 74, 06081 Santa Maria degli Angeli, Assisi, Italy