6th August 2013 Minute, handfinished detailing showing authentic artisanal skill is where things are going this year in spectacle-making. It is like we’ve come full circle. This is thanks to a handful of independent labels who are passionate about upholding traditional traits and techniques typical of quality vintage eyewear, and exploring them in the new world of high-tech materials and technology….but still using real “work by hand” to do a variety of the production steps, and sometimes all of them. (Image above: handcrafting in England, Oliver Goldsmith bespoke, read more here: https://www.eyestylist.com/2013/04/bespoke-at-oliver-goldsmith/ www.olivergoldsmith.com).
References to vintage design include both new interpretations and designs featuring actual vintage elements. Antique pins, metalwork or filigree – the Japanese label Matsuda produces some very fine examples – nose pads or arm ends with tiny embedded initials – for example, at Oliver Goldsmith they are using some of their original OG buttons in their re-released aviators, Colt and Wiseguy – and other exquisite detail work are on a par, once again, with fine jewellery making. You will also notice that the materials in these collections are far from ordinary…..custom glossy acetates – we love the Italian Mazzucchelli ones as do many of the top eyewear designers, traditional luxury metals such as gold that hark back to old-school elegance, and a rise in buffalo horn and handmade works of astonishing precision in wood – Rolf Spectacles (www.rolf-spectacles.com). There are also new designs produced in pretty vintage materials that have been salvaged from former workshops; we’ve seen nice examples of vintage materials in new designs by Thierry Lasry, BlueMagicEye, Nine Worthies / FAN Optics (https://www.eyestylist.com/2013/06/summer-stories/) and Res/Rei (www.eyestylist.com/2012/04/trend-watch-new-frames-vintage-materials/) – and there are more out there if you search them out. CN
Matsuda Eyewear www.matsudaeyewear.com
Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses www.olivergoldsmith.com
Rolf Spectacles www.rolf-spectacles.com