Opti has impressed with a very wide selection of specialist eyewear labels and busy stands and aisles for an optimistic start to the year. The short journey to Munich from other parts of Europe remains a big draw for many optical retailers who see the post-Xmas show as an ideal way to kick off their new year buying; visitors we met had also travelled from the USA, Japan and the Middle East.
Independent designers attended in force. Leading trends (and there are many we will look at in the months ahead) included a progression in high-tech and 3d design, and continued developments in sustainable production and eco materials. Colours were bold but there is also a sign of more natural, gentle tones appearing again, combined in sensitive, understated ways, as well as some colour schemes linked to the design world: copper is one that popped up several times when we were talking about autumn/winter 16/17.
Among the young exhibitors were a number of Scandinavian designers, including E&E Glasses, Monkey Glasses, Falvin Eyewear and the independent label Karmoie, a Norwegian brand who have specialised in frames created in Mazzucchelli’s quality sustainable M49 material. Designers Kirsten and Lars Iversen launched their 2016 campaign at the fair – pictured above – and showed a collection that is about simple, flattering aesthetics inspired by the nostalgic elegance of vintage styles. www.karmoie.com
RES/REI from Italy illustrates the continued attention to detail and hand-finishing in quality acetate. A close look at new models including Mimosa (above) exhibited the brand’s genuine dedication to artisan design, originality and clever colouration – very pretty marbling and elegant combinations were beautifully represented by the label. www.resrei.com
Collaborations continue to be an important area for creative exchanges. One example: ic! berlin is working with David Tomaszewski, the fashion designer based in Berlin, and their latest design together, Grazyna has all the makings of an elegant designer icon. Selecting acetate for the first time, Tomaszewski worked closely with the ic! berlin design team to bring his signature architectural and graphical structures into a multifaceted three-dimensional frame. His inspiration – the eclectic colour world of the 1960s and 70s – lead him to caramel and havanna, accents which compliment the rich autumn tones and intense colour gradients found in the upcoming David Tomaszewski Autumn/Winter 2016 collection. www.ic-berlin.de
Wood and paper products continue to arrive in the market. For recycled eyewear, Paper Style shows a refreshingly serious approach to fit and comfort alongside interesting aesthetics – including smart, textured surfaces – and collaborations with creatives from other fields such as Truus Brands in the “Artists by Paper Style” series. www.paper-style.it
Opti 2017 will return next year from 28th to 30th January 2017. More information is available at www.opi.de CN