December 2014

Festive Eyewear…

and accessories showcase our holiday edition. Throughout the month you’ll find chic, stylish frames and accessories to brighten your merriest of events. Click on all our sections to discover frames by international designers; an exclusive boutique; an inspiring design trio; and an historical museum. Joyous holidays to our sponsors and readers!

This site is legally privileged, controlled and operated by Eyestylist.com. Material on this website may not be communicated in any way whatsoever, without prior written permission by Eyestylist.com

 

100% Optical and Royal College of Art

British Eyewear Talent Showcased in Competition

23rd December 2014 The finalists have been announced for the Eyewear Design Competition organised by 100% Optical and The Royal College of Art. The next generation of eyewear designers will present their creations at 100% Optical in February 2015. Top image: Alice Howard-Graham for ‘Ready to Wear’

 

Hannah Evans design for 'Couture'
Hannah Evans design for ‘Couture’

There are two categories – Ready to Wear and Couture. The judging panel includes eyewear luminaries Lawrence Jenkin and Jason Kirk; Marie Wilkinson from Cutler and Gross; designer Emma Montague; Walter Berwick from Algha Works; and RCA tutors Flora McLean and Heather Holford. The students will make the frames themselves at legendary Algha Works in London, with the help of experienced frame-making professionals.

VAVA Eyewear
GIGI STUDIOS
Loft. New York. March 14-17
DIFFUSER Tokyo
Res Rei
SILMO Paris 20-23 SEPT 2024
Orgreen
ERKERS
TVR True Vintage Revival

 

Elizabeth Lee for 'Ready to Wear'
Elizabeth Lee for ‘Ready to Wear’

How do British students envision eyewear for the future? Visit 100% Optical 7-9 February 2015 for insight into what is next in frame design. The winners will be announced at the show. www.100percentoptical.com  www.rca.ac.uk JG

Noël Ornaments Depict Cultural Landmarks

Handcrafted Miniature Decorations

19th December 2014 The magical little Christmas tree, nestled on a counter in London’s Fortnum & Mason, was an eye-catcher – with decorations that resembled noted landmarks of international fame. Here was a charming Big Ben, transposed into miniature, with markings as its glorious original. Britain’s iconic black taxicabs and red post boxes added more luster, and the recognizable double decker buses.

 

Holiday Essentials for the Tree by Bombki
Holiday Essentials for the Tree by Bombki

The man at the counter, Michael Peterson, turned out to be the designer of these delightful petit tree decorations. “Well…it really is a love story,” said Peterson, “as at the time, I was dating a Polish girl, Zaneta, and we went to visit her family in Poland. I was a design student and love all kinds of design. Zaneta’s father suggested that we visit a glass making concern, and this sparked the idea for me to become a specialist in miniature decorations.” The result of the visit was the creation of Bombki, and Zaneta is now Peterson’s wife.

Away in a Manger by Bombki
Away in a Manger by Bombki

“As I was born in London,” continued Peterson, “we started with symbols that are recognised in London – Big Ben, The Queen’s Horse Guards, the black taxi, plus Christmas highlights with a manger, and a mince pie and Christmas cracker. Then we decided to focus on different cities – with little miniatures of Paris, New York, and Moscow symbols. We’ve also added a Little English Cream Tea Set, and the Little Royal London Set that includes a corgi, a golden carriage, a crown, the Union Jack Flat and Buckingham Palace.”

ERKERS
TVR True Vintage Revival
MOREL
Loft. New York. March 14-17
SILMO Paris 20-23 SEPT 2024
SALT.
Res Rei
BLACKFIN
Götti Switzerland

 

New York in miniature Noël ornaments
New York in miniature Noël ornaments

Bombki is now a family enterprise that includes sisters and cousins – “lots of family members”, says Peterson proudly. He creates each design – which takes approximately four months. The precision is extremely exact, and is transformed into mouth-blown glass, which is then hand decorated. One of the highlights for Bombki was when Sarah Brown, the wife of the then British Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordered a design. “It was very exciting,” recalls Peterson, “as Sarah Brown commissioned a design of the front door of No.10 Downing Street. We also designed their Christmas card.” No. 10 Downing Street continues to be available in the collection.

We Three Kings
We Three Kings

In addition to the Little sets, Peterson has created several of the designs in large sizes, including Big Ben, a red post box and others, which he personally signs. For more information on Bombki artisan Noël decorations, visit www.bombki.com JG

All Eyes on Munich

Eyewear Excellence in Germany

16th December 2014  The forthcoming OPTI Munich eyewear event in January already promises to be an exciting show to launch the 2015 calendar. Eyestylist has been given a peek at some of the beautiful new designs that will be presented in Munich.

Berlin based ic! berlin debuts the New Year with an ingenious concept – Plotic frames. Designer Ralph Anderl commented; “We’ve mastered acetate. We’ve mastered steel. Now the next frontier. ic! berlin presents plotic – 3D printed eyewear by Selective Laser Sintering. Plotic makes the impossible possible, and paves the way for designs and shapes that until now have been impossible using traditional manufacturing techniques. After several years of research and development, ic!berlin is excited to launch Plotic and Plotic-hybrid eyewear for OPTI 2015 in nine rich new colours.”  Above: Im Dol from the Plotic collection. www.ic-berlin.de

 

Piana by Lafont Paris
Piana in camouflage acetate by Lafont Paris

Matthieu Lafont at Lafont Paris, who will present their eyewear collections for men, women and children, observed: “OPTI is an important show in Germany and it’s historically one of the biggest markets in Europe in terms of business.” Lafont is spot-on trend with Piana and the importance of camouflage for eyewear. www.lafont.com

 

Stranger No 17 in  Raw Titanium by Adrian Marwitz
Stranger No 17 in Raw Titanium by Adrian Marwitz

Adrian Marwitz, who will launch his new Titanium collection noted: “The Munich show has great organisation, and of course, the city is amazing, and it is important for the international market.” www.adrianmarwitz.com

 

VAVA Eyewear
OGI Eyewear
Look
GIGI STUDIOS
LEINZ
Article One
Babar iin Genuine Horn by Sven Götti
Babar iin Genuine Horn by Sven Götti

Acetate, Titanium and a new genuine horn collection are on the agenda for Götti Switzerland’s presentation. “We have been showing our product in Munich every year since the first OPTI in 2000. For 2015, Götti will present acetate and Titanium news, plus a genuine horn collection, including a presentation that shows how these masterpieces are produced.” www.gotti.ch

 

The Bijou in Walnut by Rolf Spectacles
The Bijou in Walnut by Rolf Spectacles

Rolf Spectacles highlights their new “evolved collection” that includes frames designed from four different wood combinations. The Austrian based company is celebrating their fifth anniversary of creating ultra-light, delicate wood frames with sophistication, the finest quality and elaborate finishing. www.rolf-spectacles.com

Giulio 11 by Oliviero Zanon  at Res/Rei
Giulio 11 by Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei

Italian designer Oliviero Zanon will arrive in Munich with a stunning range that includes chic sunglasses with two-tone black and tortoiseshell glossy acetate, and a distinctive flat double bridge. Like all Res/Rei eyewear, Guilio 11 is handmade in Italy by local artisans. www.resrei.com

All roads lead to Munich 9-11 January 2015! www.opti.de JG

 

Designer choices

Kerin Rose Gold / a-morir and Selima Salaun / Selima Optique

12th December 2014 For ideas on captivating accessories at this time of year, who better to ask for advice than these two ladies of NYC. Kerin Rose Gold is the young founder of a-morir, the artisan jewellery eyewear label, adored by celebrities. “I love to wear something big and festive; and while I’m not one to adhere to ‘fashion rules’ I go for black,” explains the designer. “The last few weeks I’ve been unable to take off my new “Farrell”; a fully pave’d oversized round frame with custom made black metal plated ‘catty-corner’ embellishments accented with beautiful jet black Swarovski gems!”

Farrell by a-morir
Farrell by a-morir

“The style matches with everything and they are great for blocking out harsh winter elements like snow, wind, rain, and, of course, sun,” adds Rose Gold. “Sure it’s cold, and gets dark early in New York at this time of year, but I’m no less than a 10 minute walk from anywhere I have to be; the studio, the grocery store, my apartment, my supply shops… My style this time of year can be summed up in the concept of ‘Statement Jackets’. I have a giant black jacket that looks like a cloud, an electric blue car coat, a boxy grey plaid number, and a few vintage furs that have been passed on to me. Some women love shoes, others love bags, but I love coats! And what goes better with a statement jacket than some statement a-morir eyewear?” www.a-morir.com

Evan by Selima Optique
Evan by Selima Optique

Designer Selima Salaun, friend and mentor to Kerin Rose – she describes her as “a goddess” of eyewear – is also stylishly prepared in the winter months: “December in New York? It is so cold, crisp and fresh…I am obsessed with my Evan frames in white with blue lenses. White like the snow…blue like the sky. I do have 7 pairs of sunglasses…one for each day of the week. Depending on my mood and the weather, I will wear pink, white or black.”

ROLF Spectacles
OGI Eyewear
LAMARCA EYEWEAR
TVR True Vintage Revival
JISCO
DIFFUSER Tokyo
Orgreen

“NYC is full of excitement and wonder at this time of the year,” adds Salaun. “The stores are doing their holiday windows. I always have the same style: I mix high and low fashion…designer dresses with a fun bright colored vintage jacket. I am all for color as it makes me happy. And of course, high heels and a bright lipstick.” www.selimaoptique.com

Portrait of New York designers Kerin Rose Gold of a-morir and Selima Salaun of Selima Optique (top) in Paris, exclusively for Eyestylist.com by Gilles Stüssi. All rights reservedCN