October 2014

3 of the best: slim specs for winter

24th October 2014 Take your cue from some of the finest independent eyewear labels and replace chunky frames with slim, slender well defined shapes for the winter season. Newly launched collections point to a a determined move away from thick and geeky to a more measured style where the frames compliment and enhance features.

For cool elegance Danish brand Kilsgaard has this minimal look sewn up: their aluminium designs are super light and flattering and will do everything you will want them to do in terms of durability and comfort (above, Kilsgaard Eyewear, www.kilsgaard-eyewear.com)

Morgenthal Frederics in the US are also sensitive to the demand for thinner, lighter styling for men. They release model Brad, a finely shaped deep rectangle handcrafted from crystal acetate in France. The colour choice of green with butterscotch is particularly handsome, in my view. www.morgenthalfrederics.com

Then there’s the same slimline trend emerging in other materials. Wood eyewear leader Rolf Spectacles serves up innovation upon innovation. Their new Evolved collection, launched in Paris last month, proposes a choice of elegantly handcrafted delicate spectacles with clean paired down dimensions – model Foursome 102 is made from a refined Smoked Figured Eucalyptus for lightness and unique shine and texture. The style is one of 17 new designs produced in five woods, four special and four stone types. www.rolfspectacles.com CN

Dare to Wear Radiant Red for Fashion & Frames

17th October 2014 Red is associated with many qualities and emotions: passion, courage, strong energy, leadership, joy, and in Asian culture – happiness. The “red carpet” is significant for ceremonial and state occasions. It’s also a favourite fashion colour, as Albert Kreimler at Akris in Switzerland showed so elegantly in his collection, worn with frames designed especially for Akris by Silhouette. www.akris.ch www.silhouette.com

Eyewear designers love red too – as Gai Gherardi at l.a. Eyeworks notes: “Red is a powerful marker!” The Los Angeles based company always features red in their collections, and the latest is the cheerful Lusty Red frame called Flower Pot. www.laeyeworks.com

“Red…one of my favourite colours indeed”, says Daniel Benner at Benner KG in Germany. Benner’s red expression is in acetate and stainless steel, with dramatic brow treatment. www.benner-eyewear.com

Theo believes in “redder that red” –  and their newest signature red design Mille+02 in transparent acetate really glows! A subtle nod to vintage highlights the fluid frame shape.www.theo.be JG

Christian Roth Honours a Friend

10th October 2014 Christian Roth and Eric Domege are European designers who have made Miami their home. Their adopted country has made a strong impression, plus meeting interesting people. Carlos Venegas, the owner of Artsee, the avant-garde eyewear boutique in South Beach –  the chic, fun hotspot of Miami, became a friend – and they created a special frame design in his honour.

Christian and Eric commented: “We call the design ‘C for Carlos’ by his first name, not only because we really like him very much, but we also adore and respect his concept of an independent luxury eyewear store. He carries exquisite and exclusive collections and his personal style attracts true luxury eyewear consumers. We treasure him.”

The acetate design combines the spirit of fun and fashion, and the colours are gorgeous (top image; tortoiseshell and lush lavender). In addition to the colours shown here, there is a stunning coffee and coral combination. The inner lens contrasting detail on the frames further enhances the exquisite colourations. For more details, visit www.christian-roth.com

See more on Artsee on this link: https://www.eyestylist.com/2014/09/artsee-miami/ JG 

Photos of C 4 Carlos by Kate Benson.

Silmo Paris 2014

6th October 2014 Trendsetting eyewear designers who shone at the Paris eyewear fashion exhibition Silmo were those who refuse to play it safe. This was a show where we saw more snazzy unconventional shapes on the horizon – modified pentagons, hexagons and aviators – and a fabulous amount of dabbling in 3d concepts, shape deconstruction, asymmetry, and playful contrasts – unpolished and polished surfaces or inner and outer rims, ideas we look forward to presenting in future posts.

New season colour is what you want it to be, classic and demure, or bright and airy. Green, tangerine and opaque 50s ivory have made their way into many lines, as have distinctive marbled and coloured tortoise and camo effects that were in general lighter and more translucent that in recent collections. Highlights included:

Andy Wolf from Austria showed an impressive handcrafted collection. One of their showstopping statement sunnies was a round, sparkling design with diamante inlay – model Wonder E, pictured above.  www.andy-wolf.at.

Grey Ant’s “rule-breaker” Grant Krajecki from New York showed us lots of unique design tweaks that are out there on their own. Model Composite – one of his more classical styles – expressed the direction for novel multifaceted shapes and fresh translucent acetate colour – this one is called “sepia”. See more at www.greyant.com

Anne & Valentin’s model Wendy is part of the High Line Concept released by the French designer label in Paris last month. The concept is inspiring: the frames all feature a dramatic brow line and the 3d element and exceptional colour contrasts are playful and sophisticated. Don’t miss seeing or trying these! www.annetetvalentin.com

Lunettes Kollektion from Germany were also on a roll. Not only are they doing exciting collabs – with the likes of Christopher Shannon and Michael van der Ham, their own line has expanded with a new 11 piece artisanal edition focused on strong minimal shapes made in premium Italian materials. Model “Grand Tour” is a brilliant example – stripping the aviator shape back to basics for the clever modern take, in black – still  a top fashion choice if you choose the right sharp shaping and quirky small-label artisan glamour. Find out more at www.lunetteskollektion.com

Silmo Paris is an annual trade event attended by leading eyewear brands and designers. Silmo 2015 takes place on 25-28th September 2015. www.silmoparis.com CN

Hall of Frames Showcases Independent Designers

3rd October 2014 Zurich Hall of Frames opens this weekend in the beautiful surroundings of the Gartensaal Des Kongresshauses, a building steeped in tradition. The masters of eyewear design are exhibiting and include: Götti, Claire Goldsmith, Suzy Glam, Coblens, Kirk & Kirk, Tarian, Lafont, Rolf, Hapter, Adrian Marwitz, Kilsgaard, and Vera Wang among others. Götti Switzerland will show the latest collection that includes Tonky – above. Elegance, simplicity, and modernity trio stylishly in this graceful sunglass design with an acetate front and titanium temples for perfect fit and comfort. www.gotti.ch

Hapter designers Eric Balzan and Mirko Forti continue their pioneering techniques with the launch of M02M – an iconic design that introduces their new trademark: a wide, dominate bridge in contrasting fabric. The round lens shape creates a slick retro mountain look. www.hapter.it

Combining classic colours with the unexpected is an Adrian Marwitz signature. In Urban Stranger No. 2 grey titanium is highlighted with an accent of sunny yellow. Trend alert: grey is sophisticated and chic for frame designs. www.adrianmarwitz.com www.hallofframes.ch JG

Theo Creates The Unexpected

1st October 2014 Theo can always be relied upon to surprise, tantalize, and push the boundaries. That is their unique signature. The new Hypnotic design is actually a piece of jewellery, and it’s easy to fall under the spell of this lovely object in stainless steel and palladium, or gold coated. At first, the wearer could imagine it being a brooch – however, the featherweight design can also be a necklace, and there is a ribbon included, so the possibilities are limitless.

This is a special Limited Edition by theo, with only one-hundred pieces made of each striking model, and each piece is numbered on the reverse, as well as on the box – the “little black box” providing an exclusive touch. Beauty, individuality and originality – a theo triumph! www.theo.be JG Top photo: Hypnotic H2 in Palladium