2016

RCA x 100% Optical

London’s optical fair 100% has announced the shortlisted designs in its annual design competition in collaboration with the RCA. The finalists are: Tabitha Ringwood (1st Year Womenswear – Footwear); Annie Foo (1st Year Womenswear – Footwear); Hazel Stark (2nd Year Textiles – Print); Louis Alderson-Bythell (2nd Year Womenswear – Footwear); Alice Potts (1st Year Womenswear – Footwear) and Becky Hong (1st Year Millinery).

Visionary 2017 is an eyewear design project directed by Accessories, Footwear & Millinery tutor Flora McLean in collaboration with 100% Optical, to highlight new talent and creativity in the field of eyewear design. This year, the competition asked students to consider the wearer and their activities and lifestyle, by designing one piece for a specific person and specific usage.

Above: Project name: My Tribe – by Becky Hong

ROLF Spectacles
MOREL
Götti Switzerland
ERKERS
Out with our rose: by Tabitha Ringwood
Out With Our Rose by Tabitha Ringwood
The Positive Hacker by Louis Alderson-Bythell
The Positive Hacker by Louis Alderson-Bythell

In its fourth year, the competition is judged by a panel of eyewear experts from the British eyewear industry including Jason Kirk (of Kirk & Kirk), Tom Broughton (Cubitts) and Lawrence Jenkins (eyewear designer). The RCA finalists’ prototypes will be on display at 100% Optical in February when the winner will also be announced. For more information visit www.100percentoptical.com CN

Lool Eyewear: Barcelona’s innovative newcomer

Barcelona is a centre of modern creativity, with a contemporary art, food, design and music scene that has become internationally renowned for its imaginative and consistently avant-garde direction. The appearance of a new young eyewear brand coming into the market at a high level of quality and innovation is therefore unsurprising, but nonetheless makes for an exciting entry given the level of research and design precision interwoven in a product that is functional, light, and technically precise. Startup Lool Eyewear is located in a warehouse studio just behind MACBA and the large open space which hums with skateboarders. Following a single trade fair (Silmo 2016), the label, created by talented product designer Aris Rubio and entrepreneur Alex Carrasco, is already looking at increasing the size of its workshop to accommodate fast-paced international demand since the Paris show. The frames have seen immediate popularity in Barcelona, stocked by leading optical retailers such as Les Lunettes, Bassol and DM Optics.

lool eyewear
The Grid – lool eyewear

“Lool is a multidisciplinary studio”, Alex told Eyestylist when we visited the label earlier this month. “We manufacture in series from metal sheets of steel (11R51). They are worked by hand, one by one in a precise technical process, combining the industrial and manual, man and machine.”

The Grid - Lool Eyewear
The Grid architectural “concept” – Lool Eyewear

Influenced by retrofuturism in the context of disciplines such as architecture and urbanism, Lool has already launched three specific sheet metal stainless steel collections, and a patented screwless hinge – The Hub – which features across their ranges and offers maximum durability and easy assembly. The frames themselves are built with an architectural precision where, for example, material is removed on the inside of the frame, reducing weight and changing the look and general feel when worn. Rubio’s methodology is to study the points of  tension around the front of the frame and take away what is not required from the inside, creating excellent lightness and flexibility in the metal material.

SALT.
MOREL
LAMARCA EYEWEAR
BLACKFIN
LEINZ
DIFFUSER Tokyo
ROLF Spectacles

Lool’s three impressive collections – Tectonic, Stereotomic and The Grid, offer a strong starting point for a young team and their position in central Barcelona, where other likeminded designers are working in innovative collaborations, is likely to inspire further success as innovators of the future. Lool Eyewear will show at Opti Munich in January 2017. More information at www.looleyewear.com CN

Merry & Bright!

‘Tis is the season to celebrate; be with loved ones and good friends; and delight in fun-filled festivities. It’s also the perfect time to enhance your holiday fashions with glamorous frames that sparkle and glow. Allow your radiance to shine in LINDBERG’s style 2239 (top image) from the Precious Collection. Eighteen carat rose gold and yellow gold feature in this contemporary form with artisan handcrafting. www.lindberg.com

Lil' Tears of the Moon by Anna-Karin Karlsson
Lil’ Tears of the Moon by Anna-Karin Karlsson

Unforgettable brilliance heralds Anna-Karin Karlsson’s gleaming design – Lil’ Tears of the Moon. The acetate frame flourishes with pearls and rhinestones – created to make a merry and memorable entrance! www.annakarinkarlsson.com

Subsolar by Falvin Eyewear
Subsolar by Falvin Eyewear

Birgitte Falvin’s creative skills as a jewellery designer are now embellishing distinctive eyewear. The elegant Subsolar features titanium customised with a smooth surface of matte aubergine and shiny rose gold. The luxurious diamond setting beautifully highlights the delicate cat-eye silhouette of the design. Discover more about the Danish brand at www.falvin.dk

Amarilla by Vera Wang
Amarilla by Vera Wang

Amarilla by Vera Wang is the ideal accessory for après ski on sunny chalet terraces, or on the sun-drenched sands of the Caribbean. Vera’s latest capsule fashion collection is the inspiration for these sleek sunglasses in luminous acetate, accented with Swarovski crystals at the hinge, and along the top of the temple. www.kenmarkoptical.com JG

The Eyestylist team extends warmest wishes for a Happy and Festive Holiday Season to all our readers and sponsors!

Mille + 54 by theo

Millennials! That generation (approximately 1982-2004) – maturing similarly with the enhancement of computers and progressive technology – have enjoyed many opportunities and choices.  Theo offers unique possibilities for this inspired group, with contemporary frames and fresh, original colour combinations – which includes Mille + 54 striking in black and turquoise – from the new theo Mille 50+ collection. Crafted in titanium, the designs are durable – yet lightweight. Sleek, modern and beautifully imagined, the new theo 50+ collection will appeal equally to Babyboomers and Generation X as well. www.theo.be JG

Awesome designs for youngsters

Establishing a foundation of healthy eye care early in life is rewarding – and beneficial – for both parents and their children. With fun and appealing frame designs for babies through to teenagers, prescription glasses offer children better eyesight, plus safety and creative designs – making it awe-inspiring to wear them. Design, comfort and quality unite in the stylish designs by JF Rey. Gabriel (above) is an eye-catching acetate frame with graphic elements abundant in shape, design and colouration. Discover more at www.jfrey.fr for info on the inventive new Kids & Teens collection.

Ghent by RED KIDS EYEWEAR
Ghent by RED KIDS EYEWEAR

Active youngsters require frames that are sturdy and durable, as well as distinguishing fashion characteristics. All elements are incorporated in the charming Red Kids Eyewear collection. Crafted in The Netherlands, the frames include replaceable flex systems to meet any over-enthusiastic childhood antics. Ghent in quality acetate is a sleek, uncluttered design appealing to young fashionistas. www.redoptical.com

Marc by LINDBERG
Marc by LINDBERG

Children will love this beautiful frame from LINDBERG with its grown up look superbly scaled for little faces. Marc features a tortoiseshell front and titanium sides, and distinctive detailing captures the essence of LINDBERG quality and style. www.lindberg.com

ZOOBUG ZB1003
ZOOBUG ZB1003

New silhouettes highlight Zoobug’s Acetate Fashion Collection and include this smart style ZB1003. The colourations are lovely – Tortoise and Lilac (above) plus radiant bright tones of orange and blue, and a gradient purple. An OBE Flex-Uno hinge ensures comfort and fine fit. www.zoobug.com

Tobogan by LAFONT
Tobogan by LAFONT

Just like adults – kids appreciate the Retro look, and Tobogan by Lafont is a cool little shape for children aged 4-7. The round shape, temple details, and circular end tips further enhance the classic, vintage look. www.lafont.com JG