May 2014

Anniversary Celebrations!

Thirty Years of Eyewear Excitement from Christian Roth

16th May 2014 When Christian Roth and Eric Domège emerged on the eyewear scene three decades ago, eyewear and the world were very different. Eyewear was yet to be recognised as a desirous fashion accessory. The brand’s superb designs expressed the unique fusion of style, innovation, sexy silhouettes, modern design, and meticulous handcrafting in Italy. They still do, along with vibrant energy and elegance.  Domège says, “we create a language through our designs that stand the test of time.”  Christian Roth was the first label to be inducted into the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), founded by New York style doyenne Eleanor Lambert, thus legitimizing eyewear as a fully fledged fashion accessory.

 

Parisian elegance meets Miami glamour – Opposites Attract by Christian Roth

Thirty years on, Roth and Domège  have the same enthusiasm for creating gorgeous glasses as they did at the beginning. No doubt their early experiences with eyewear set the foundation for their life’s passion. “Our biggest influence for designing frames was our stylish mothers, wearing chic sunglasses when picking us up at school on a sunny day in the late 60’s and early 70’s. And this brings us to an influential period (for us) which ‘bridged’ to the modern lifestyle and popular culture of the 21st century,” the design duo observed from their studio in Miami Beach, Florida.

Timelessness - Vintage Christian Roth
Timelessness – Vintage Christian Roth

 

“The biggest changes are probably new technologies – in its different forms – which challenges our creativity, and the enthusiastic perception of eyewear itself by consumers and retailers around the world. It became a must-have, object of desire, a true fashion accessory. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, there are so many wonderful people in the eyewear, fashion, media and entertainment business who have helped us over the last three decades. With them this incredible ride would never have been possible. Allow us this opportunity to say Thank You”! Eyestylist wishes you champagne celebrations Christian and Eric! www.christian-roth.com JG

 

I Wonder Who You Are……

Götti – That Special Eyewear Effect

13th May 2014 It happens while waiting at the checkout counter, when passing someone in the street, catching a glance in the rear-view mirror. There are faces that stand out and leave you wondering. People with stories. People you’d like to have the opportunity to look at more closely. ‘I Wonder Who You Are’ is a stunning new campaign by Götti Switzerland, photographed by Christian Grund, who is recognised for his sophisticated lighting and his careful, highly esthetic productions. Black and white photos were chosen as a homage to classic portrait photography. Above – Kitty in luminous acetate.

Who is that man in Götti's Kojak?
Who is that man in Götti’s Kojak?

The new campaign illustrates how eyewear can have a multifaceted effect on the face of the wearer. By choosing a specific design, we make a statement about our personality – we choose an effect. Who am I? Who would I like to be? How would I like to be perceived by others? Eyeglasses are an aspect of our individual persona – and with Sven Götti’s innovative designs, Götti Switzerland sets the stage for memorable, personal eyewear interpretations. www.gotti.ch www.christiangrund.ch JG

Pepe - distinguished with Götti's 360° Spin and Stow System
Pepe – distinguished with Götti’s 360° Spin and Stow System

Finest Seven for Emilia Wickstead

Autumn/Winter 2014

9th May 2014 A favourite designer of the Duchess of Cambridge, New Zealand-born Emilia Wickstead has become one of the class acts of London Fashion Week. Her Autumn/Winter 2014 runway collection, praised for its elegance, highlighted a new touch of edgy chic with its leather and snakeskin  – and bold flashes of colour, a powerful pink and elegant shades of tangerine. And there were sunglasses too – a new catwalk collaboration with independent brand Finest Seven, designed by Jesse Stevens – the talented luxury eyewear designer who also hails from New Zealand; perfectly in keeping with the overall tone of effortless glamour, these artisan sunglasses are designed in the UK and made in the Italian mountains by hand for exceptional quality and finish. Priced from £550.00, Finest Seven produces each heirloom design as a bespoke order.

Emilia Wickstead runway A/W 2014
Emilia Wickstead runway A/W 2014

Images courtesy of Emilia Wickstead and Finest Seven Ltd. For more information, and to order sunglasses directly from Finest Seven, visit  www.finestseven.com

www.emiliawickstead.com CN

Style Setter: Anna-Karin Karlsson

Dramatic and Beautiful Eyewear

6th May 2014 Romance, beauty, music and art are among the influences Anna-Karin Karlsson expresses in her strong, and innovative eyewear designs. “I have a place in my head that I can go to, and see visions and sights, and I don’t need inspiration per se,” says the Swedish designer, “as I can go there, and imagine all sorts of things until it becomes something spectacular or meaningful. I call it ‘a flight upstairs’.”

Glamour Glasses - Lion and Lioness by Anna-Karin Karlsson
Glamour Glasses – Lion and Lioness by Anna-Karin Karlsson

 

Her enchanting “flight” includes striking sunglasses in black acetate adorned with either a lion or lioness – symbols of strength, courage and authority – plus exuding super style.

 

Exotic Eyewear - Rose/Rouge in Leopard by Anna-Karin Karlsson
Exotic Eyewear – Rose/Rouge in Leopard by Anna-Karin Karlsson

Love and beauty are highlighted in a stunning new colour combination of a favourite AKK design – Rose/Rogue. Smooth acetate in a leopard print – the majestic animal representing wisdom and mystery – is trimmed with carved roses. Anna-Karin Karlsson’s “flight upstairs” transports the wearer of her sunglass designs to magical kingdoms! www.annakarinkarlsson.com  JG

Photo of Anna-Karin Karlsson by Luca Santocono exclusively for Eyestylist. All rights reserved.

Adrina Deep Blue Sea

Leisure Society

Artisanal excellence illuminates the supremely elegant Adrina by Shane Baum. Named after a remote Greek beach, the wafer-thin aviator design features a gold plated titanium crossbar, and Japanese Windsor rim detail. Superb detailing includes intricate multi-dimensional laser etching applied to the titanium, and Japanese cotton-based acetate temples. Adrina Deep Blue Sea is plated in 12k or 18k gold, and the lenses are treated with trade marked Diamond Cast anti-scratch coating. Pure Luxury! www.leisure-society.com JG