January, 2013 | Eyestylist

Model 50.11

1st January 2013

Kilsgaard

Another brightly toned collection of nicely produced spectacles, this time from one of our favourite Danish labels, Kilsgaard. The styles in this range are clean and simple and made of a combination of aluminium and acetate, a bit unusual but lovely and light and robust when it comes to wear and tear. As Jacob Kilsgaard has explained to me in the past, the aim is for tech solutions that are really elegant. This is one of the colours that will take 2013 by storm! See the collection at www.kilsgaard-eyewear.com and see our previous editorial at www.eyestylist.com/2012/08/model-39-10/. CN

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

SILMO Paris - The Optical Fair. 25th - 28th September 2026

Nine

Heidi 2

1st January 2013

Face à Face

I love this colour and it works beautifully in this high-quality combination design by Face à Face, the Parisian eyewear label. A shade that will be strong for this year, here it is layered onto a very pale contrasting and delicious looking mint. A delight and very pretty on many complexions, this whole collection is one that holds many surprising colours for the new season and particularly interesting combinations including some much loved tortoise designs for women. www.face-a-faceparis.com CN

Reviews

Perfetto

1st January 2013

Atelier Vingt-Deux

I first saw a few of the titanium designs from this collection in September and I hope to see how things develop in their collections in the next 12 months. Based in Antwerp the company prides itself on European production; it is part of a larger company called EyeTech Art who produce other lines including pieces of jewellery that also require work in titanium and diamond-cutting. Perfetto is a good and colourful example of the luxe styling in its bold and durable Titanium 0.5 Collection. Stockists include Les Plus Belles Lunettes du Monde in Paris, and Icon the Opticians in London. http://ateliervingtdeux.com/ CN

Arts + travel

Fashion Designers A-Z

1st January 2013

Remarkable Designs of the 20th and 21st Centuries

1st January 2013 Fashion Designers A-Z is truly a beautiful book – a luscious voyage with designer greats of the 20th and 21st centuries who have changed the fashion landscape. Taschen, the German book company, has published this fascinating and stunning edition. This work is co-authored by Valerie Steele, director and curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, (and an eyewear fan – see Eyestylist 1st April 2012) and Suzy Menkes the doyenne fashion editor and influential fashion critic of the International Herald Tribune. Lavishly illustrated, the book features photos of over 500 garments from the permanent collection at the FIT Museum, with designs by Coco Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen among others, and the text explains the significance of each design, and its importance in fashion history.

AKRIS_fashion_designers_a-z_17 — Akris Elegance by Albert Kriemler

The book is available as a series of six Designer Editons, bound in a fabric created by one of six designers who are ‘au courant’ today, including Akris (designed by Albert Kriemler) Stella McCartney, Missoni, Prada, and Diane Von Furstenberg. Albert Kriemler’s design (top photo) features a race car motif pattern for the Akris Edition of 2000 copies, which was created in the spirit of the devil-may-care-elegance of John Frankenheimer’s 1966 movie Grand Prix. Kriemler – whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in the beautiful atmosphere of St. Gallen Switzerland, where the company is based – is a favourite designer of Princess Charlene of Monaco. His designs subtly capture the spirit of modernity and quiet chic, as in the design from the 2011 collections (above ) in printed wool mousseline with a metal chain belt. Fashion Designers A-Z is a one-of-a-kind book – crafted by hand in Italy and individually stamped. It’s a remarkable visualisation of fashion, social history, and a poignant tribute to fashion creators. www.taschen.com www.akris.ch JG

Boutiques

Chic Swiss Concept Boutique

1st January 2013

Le Labo Sets the Pace for Fashion Accessories

1st January 2013 Followers of Eyestylist know that I really love Switzerland, and I have found yet another reason to be enchanted – a delightful Concept Store in Geneva – Le Labo. The boutique is the creation of Leila Krir, an optician with fashion flair, optical expertise and unbounded enthusiasm. “I worked in the luxury eyewear sector for more than ten years,” explains Leila, “and I acquired great experience and know how in high-end client relationships. I met a lot of opticians and eyewear designers, and I fell in love with many concept stores that I visited during my different journeys. That’s where the idea of combining both the fashion and eyewear aspects originated.”

The boutique opened in September 2011 and the shop features an impressive roster of eyewear designers: L.G.R., Lotho, Andy Wolf, Prism, Strada del Sole, Retrospecs, Marma London, La Loop and Linda Farrow among others. In addition, Le Labo has a variety of unusual accessories that include scarves from Yarnz, hats from Inverni and cuff links by Samuel Gassmann. Leila is also researching other accessories to introduce into the boutique for next summer.

Eyewear and Accessories unite fashionably at Le Labo Geneva

The fashion and optical profile is further highlighted with monthly events held in the boutique. “We could have a designer appearance – like Italia Independent, or have a vintage theme, or a Christmas motif, perhaps combining with other stores in Geneva who have the same philosophy,” says Leila, “as our typical customer is trendy and demanding – looking for the ‘rare pearl’.” If Geneva or somewhere in the region is your destination, do include Le Labo on your ‘must see’ list – it’s a wonderful celebration of fashion eyewear and accessories. www.lelabo-geneva.com JG