Pure design with a hint of the classical
17th April 2013 Handmade is a word that is much used today in eyewear; at Eyestylist we see it as part of our journey to explore the most authentic concepts in handcrafting, including taking a look at some of the smallest trendsetting labels. Our detailed research into handmade designs began in 2011, but it is an area we are hugely interested in for the future.
Here is one small but exciting label from Germany that we haven’t covered for some time. REIZ frames were first being created in the 90s and I got to know them over time. Their Lovely Nature collection is their interpretation of handmade glasses for 2013.
Masters in acetate, the frames in this collection – 10 models in 5 colours each – are made from an eco-friendly material with a similar transparency to acetate, produced following a new formula, that enables production without using chemicals such as phthalate – it’s a material that is both biodegradable and recyclable.
The Lovely Nature series pays homage to the traditional rectangular eye shape, chosen for its pure form, and combined with subtle colours that do not detract from the shape – but you will also find more curvaceous shapes and also the round style above, model Fichte. REIZ is known for the silky finish of its acetates (something that identifies their craftsmanship and small production) and the frames in the new eco material have a nice lightness and gentle fine lines – I observed this series in January this year in Munich with Thomas Hobmaier (the Marketing/Sales Director at REIZ) and found them very beautiful.
Created in Germany in 1996, REIZ is led by Jochen Gutbrod and Franz Dieter Reutter. The style of the glasses is always consistent to the label’s desire to produce beautiful design of an exceptional quality which combines handmade elements and high-tech German production technology.
The new images of the frames pictured here show some of the subtleties that I appreciated when I saw the frames and tried them on, whilst also making reference to the past and classical aesthetics. Lovingly created, and lovely indeed. www.reiz.net CN