Munich, Germany
The Opti fair this weekend showcased exceptional talent in fine eyewear design. Natural materials remain an important highlight in the artisan collections, and there were several new releases and trends on the rise.
Rolf Spectacles launched “Topolino 94”, a distinctive round shape, and part of their “evolved collection”. Inspired by the Fiat Topolino, one of the smallest cars in the world at the time of its production, the name also translates as “little mouse” (and Mickey Mouse, from the Italian). Topolino comes in four covetable natural wood combinations: smoked eucalyptus, bog oak/maple/bog oak, bog oak/walnut and walnut (pictured above). www.rolf-spectacles.com
Rigards showed new “slow-wear” natural horn designs in their collection of heirloom pieces with a unique and enduring beauty. They include model RG 0044 (above), a gentle almond eye shape combined with a special high bridge and pale lilac tinted lenses. www.rigards.com.
From Denmark, Kilsgaard showed a first-class Acetate Collection, handcrafted in Japan. Bestselling shapes in their aluminium line have been translated into acetate, and a balanced natural colour palette lends refinement – they include classical Havana, dark tortoise and subdued classics like bottle green and amber with a subtle fade effect (model Petri, above). A shiny miniature metal Kilsgaard logo is embedded in temple ends. www.kilsgaard-eyewear.com
At a packed Andy Wolf stand, natural acetate colours sat alongside more adventurous neons and brights, a suggestion that both colour palettes will keep their place as lead fashion directions in 2015. Andy Wolf 5045c (above) is one of the Austrian label’s optical show pieces – a super statement cat-eye shape in smooth ivory-like dual tone acetate. For full details visit www.andy-wolf.at CN
The Opti trade fair takes place from 15th to 17th January 2016, at the Fairground Messe Munchen. Visit www.opti.de/en/home/ CN