August 2017

Eyestylist visits Etnia Barcelona, flagship store

Etnia Barcelona released official images of its flagship store by Santa Maria del Mar (El Born, Barcelona) in April. Remodelled by Jordi Tió, the project also involved interior designers – Lázaro Rosa-Violán, the design studio behind some of Barcelona’s most fashionable hotels and restaurants, including Boca Grande, El Nacional and Soho House Barcelona. Eyestylist visited the building in August 2017.

Etnia’s flagship store extends the brand identity of the Barcelona label in a stylish design focused building with two shop floors, showrooms, workshops, a terrace and a bar/entertainment space at the rooftop, with beautiful views over the city. Owned by David Pellicer, and created over 17 years ago, the Spanish eyewear label has become a top-selling European brand across the world – after particular success in France, as well as further afield, in the US and S. America.

Glass dome displays – Etnia Barcelona

The remodelling of the building was led by Jordi Tió, a design expert related to the design world of Vinçon (a former retail company in the Catalan city) and architect of the Barcelona and Berlin Camper Hotels, amongst others. The work involved the demolition of several bearing walls to create diaphanous spaces in the old building, as well as the lift well, running from top to bottom, with views of the different floors of the store. The façade has been strictly preserved, right down to the colours, respecting the original appearance of the building.

Interior design details – Etnia Barcelona

The shop interior speaks for itself. As well as some ‘Catalan’ touches in the colourful details  – the elegant lift is based on a classic Barcelona ‘ascensor’, the individual spaces offer a pleasurable experience for browsing and trying on frames, with recurring themes: furniture and mirrors with the feel of an old-fashioned barber’s shop, and central “bar” areas with mirrors and vintage “objets”  – recovered from old optical stores -, flowers and glass dome displays.

The furnishings and lighting portray a 1940s style, referencing different trades and spaces. From old operating theatre lights to a jeweller’s work bench or theatre dressing table with its light mirror, to create a kind of backstage feeling. The store also stocks art monographs and photography books, to underline the brand’s relationship with the world of the arts, a focus for many of their limited edition sunglasses. www.etniabarcelona.com  Eyestylist.com wishes to thank Noemi at Etnia Barcelona for arranging a tour of the store. CN

Future combinations: eyewear styling

Pairings in eyewear are increasingly complex and, for future seasons, colourful and bright. For the wearer, the mix of colours or materials should flatter and enhance features without overpowering the face – it’s an art of harmony and balance, where the interplay of texture and colour can be subtle and harmonious, or bold and striking.

JF Rey – the French design house – is creative in combination work and their Destruct line clearly illustrates the opportunity to play both with colour, material and volume on the frame. The concept focuses on the cutting of the acetate to uncover the metal below the surface. “The metal unfolds and redraws the aesthetics of the frame, creating a new graphic balance,” explains the designer. Find out more at www.jfrey.fr

LAMARCA EYEWEAR
DIFFUSER Tokyo
NYC LOFT 2025
BLACKFIN
Article One
ROLF Spectacles

Model Viggo – a smart men’s design by Face à Face  – combines classic colours of tortoise and bright blue, in a popular mix that is easy on many complexions. In the photo, the frame is fitted with the newly released Transitions lenses, Style Colours, in their bright blue tone – Sapphire – personalising the colour combinations of the design, and enhancing the points in blue on the bridge and temple when at their most intense tone in the sun. A stunning combination! www.faceaface-paris.com / www.stylecolours.co.uk

Floral inspired: Magnolia by RES/REI

Colour combinations at the innovative Italian artisan design label RES/REI are often inspired by nature. Magnolia, from the Flowers Collection, is an example of the label’s  new custom designed acetates which feature a geometric use of three different colours on the front face – a magical re-interpretation of the petals of exotic flowers. www.resrei.com CN

The Highpockets by Original Penguin

We were looking for a sunglass style for a 13 year old who loves fashion, who knows about brands, and who is starting to value the comfort and feel of a well-built design frame v. a mass produced one. One or two obvious brands had caught his attention. The choice, however, seemed limited – most of the frames were too large for his face in the adult lines – and focused on the branding more than the frame itself.

The High Pockets – from Original Penguin – is an adult frame, but in size 53 19-140, fits a growing teenager. The lightweight design and clean details – without embellishment, offer the right balance of style, comfort and design, with a  retro feel that appeals to a youngster who notices the design. The frame is available in several colours including black (pictured), cargo and gunmetal and is fitted with Polarized Tri-Acetate sunlenses with 100% UV protection.

Original Penguin produces a men’s sunglasses collection – featuring the Highpockets, and a special selection of “youth” frames – ideal for boys with a developing sense of fashion. Find more details at www.kenmarkeyewear.com CN

Trends: Crystal clear (now and into Autumn)

While crystal colorations often get more attention in the warmer months in the sunglasses lines, next season, the transparent effect will linger on as a mood for the winter months. Some of the transparent frames have a tinge of pink or grey, while others offer an edgy see-through effect that can look very modern, even if the crystal tone first appeared decades ago.

The shapes of the crystal frames vary enormously with classic and unconventional proposals coexisting. Berenford, from Switzerland, has a nice square interpretation with a 1960s reference – Francoise (Absinthe) in their L’Avventura Edition – is made from vintage Mazzucchelli acetate. The frame is inspired by style icon Francoise Hardy, the French singer, and is fitted with Zeiss sun lenses for excellent UV protection. www.berenford.com

Kiani by SALT. Optics

SALT. Optics often features crystal with a very chic polished finish. For next season, their Kiani frame combines a shape with retro details such as a key hole bridge and a very clean, transparent acetate material with a gentle hint of grey. www.saltoptics.com

 

Arthur Arbesser for Silhouette

The lightweight simplicity of the Arbesser sunglasses, a collaboration with Silhouette Eyewear, is further enhanced in the crystal version, teamed with gold temples. The beautifully shaped lightweight frame and circular lens – pictured here in a graduated green – are the perfect finishing touch for the luxury looks in the new season collections. Find more sun styles at www.silhouette.com CN

 

Sol Sol Ito 032BF

Our love for eyewear design always leads us to the small yet creatively minded enterprises in the frame business: Sol Sol Ito is an independent label from Zurich, Switzerland, with a unique perspective on design and a fastidious passion for craftsmanship. Each frame style, including the elegant Sol Sol Ito 032BF (above), has signature exchangeable twin-steel arms – created in a huge choice of colours – a design feature which also offers a comfy, custom fit. 032BF, like all the styles by this Swiss label, is a limited edition – just 50 are produced of each one. The fluid curves of the front are reminiscent of details in the art deco design movement and reappear in different ways in several of the designs across the collections.

Available at selected boutique opticians including Fueter & Halder, (Baden), Parici, (Paris) and Bruce Eyewear, (Vancouver) – the award-winning Sol Sol Ito label was created by designer Sandra Kaufmann and artist Monika Fink. Photo credit: Hans Hansen. More details at www.solsolito.com CN

MOREL
DIFFUSER Tokyo
SILMO Paris 20-23 SEPT 2024
TVR True Vintage Revival
100% Optical London 24 to 26 February 2024 at Excel London - register for free
VAVA Eyewear
Res Rei
JISCO
SALT.