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
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
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 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
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.
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
3rd August 2012 “We love glasses – we can honestly say that we are passionate about glasses, so in some ways, it’s a hobby for us,” says Dirk Geissmann (above left) and Nathanael Wenger, (right) organisers of Hall of Frames. “We started Hall of Frames five years ago in a designer hotel in Zurich. A year later, other brands wanted to join, so it grew quite fast.” Indeed, HOF has a waiting list to participate in the event, that takes place this year in Zurich on October 14th and 15th. Due to the success of the show, and the great interest from German companies, HOF is delighted to announce a Stuttgart show this autumn – to be held on October 21st and 22nd. In addition, The Hall of Frames Newcomer Award will be launched – in partnership with Eyestylist.com – (watch this space for exciting details and more news!) – and the winner will be announced at the Stuttgart show.
To add even more interest to the event, Dirk and Nath have found unusual spaces for the exhibitors and their presentations. “A suitable location is very important to the success of HOF. In Zurich, HOF is in the Papiersaal, an historic industrial building surrounded by modern architecture. For Stuttgart, the location is great, completely dedicated to cars. The Meilenwerk is a hot spot for car fanatics. From antique models to modern cars, everything is on show. So our slogan for the event in Stuttgart could be cars and frames”!
In future posts, Eyestylist.com will be visiting with some of the independent designers who will be exhibiting at these two important events. For more information, visit www.hallofframes.ch JG