2017

Luxury & Fantasy: Holiday flair

‘Tis the season for dreams, winter wonderland pleasures, indulgences and luxury touches. Bask in the glow of your dreams with unique eyewear that steps up to the occasion with dynamic designs to brighten holiday events, plus add stylish flair to festive fashion. Fantasy and living your dreams is an important part of Swedish designer Anna-Karin Karlsson’s fashion and eyewear philosophy. The exotic “Panthress”  (top image) shimmers with hundreds of Swarovski crystals embedded on 24K plated White Gold. The luminous eyes on the seductive feline are genuine emeralds. “I want my designs to live a beautiful, romantic life,” says Anna-Karin. The “Panthress” exudes both beauty and romance! Anna-Karin Karlsson is a luxury premium eyewear label with an exquisite range of optical and sunglass designs. The Swedish label is found in prestige international eyewear boutiques, concept shops, plus Harrod’s in London, and Neiman Marcus in America. www.annakarinkarlsson.com

EMPIRE by Lafont Paris

Architecture is an influential source for eyewear creators, and the renowned Empire State Building in New York City inspired Thomas Lafont. The stunning, distinctive frame – a Limited Edition – effectively captures the ethereal mood of the Art Deco structure, with an expansive frame front in tri-colouration. The frame is expertly crafted in France, and destined to be a collector’s item, with its sense of history and contemporary edge. For over ninety years, Lafont Paris has been creating superbly crafted eyewear for men, women and children. The family owned company has four charming boutiques in Paris. Visit www.lafont.com for more details.

Boz FIXON

Another architectural beauty expresses itself in “Fixon” by Boz Eyewear. “Fixon” reflects the amazing Pyramid at the Louvre in Paris – a landmark in the city. The frame design is constructed from a single sheet of metal; the round eye shape and finishes in either chrome or Black Galaxy gives the design a thoroughly modern look, and very futuristic. Boz Eyewear part of the J.F. Rey label, a French brand created by Jean-François Rey over thirty years ago in Marseille. With their Mediterranean location, the brand is noted for its beautiful colours and unusual shapes. www.instagam.com/myjfrey

SALT.
MOREL
Look
OGI Eyewear
Article One
NYC LOFT 2025
100% Optical London 24 to 26 February 2024 at Excel London - register for free
Hybrid II by Plein les Mirettes

The legendary cat eye shape is a forever favourite in eyewear. Plein les Mirettes bring a sleek contemporary flavour to the silhouette in Hybrid II, in multi-layered acetate that is made specifically for Plein les Mirettes by Mazzucchelli in Italy. The exaggerated shape features flowing curves, and a nose bridge in galvanised stainless steel. Plein les Mirettes designs are handcrafted in France in a Normandy atelier, created by Christophe Morcamp and Pascal Guidice. The individualistic designs by the French label celebrate their 5th anniversary in 2018. www.plein-les-mirettes.fr JG

 

L.G.R Boutique Milan

Italian flair, charm and charisma envelope the elegant boutique opened by L.G.R founder Luca Gnecchi Ruscone. Located in the prestigious Brera district of Milan, at 36 Corso Garibaldi, the shop features the expressive and stunning creations of the luxury eyewear company. The flagship store’s interior is inspired by the colours and shapes of Ottica Bini, Luca’s grandfather’s emporium in Asmara, Eritrea.

L.G.R boutique: African inspiration with Italian elegance

The boutique windows are inspired by neo-Gothic and Venetian shapes, using core materials that include wood and coir – a coconut fibre. This reflects L.G.R.’s distinguished heritage of African adventure combined with Italian elegance. Pale green and blue hues are used throughout the interior space, evoking the Eritrean sky and sea. Giampiero Celani Piendlbach created the beautiful, flowing renderings on the walls exclusively for L.G.R.

SALT.
Orgreen
SILMO Paris 20-23 SEPT 2024
Res Rei
Look
Götti Switzerland
OGI Eyewear
Gothic influence for the windows and interior display

“Milan’s international presence and undisputed reputation for luxury and lifestyle makes the city a natural choice for our first store in Italy,” says Gnecchi Ruscone. The entire collection of superbly crafted L.G.R frames – optical and sunglasses – is on display in the new Boutique. Luca Gnecchi Ruscone noted that the opening of the Flagship Milan store is the first step in an expanded retail strategy. For more discoveries about the creative universe at L.G.R visit www.lgrworld.com JG

Tortoiseshell: traditions and trends

Tortoiseshell spectacles effortlessly span the realm of tradition and fashion. Eyeglasses in tortoiseshell are noted as scholarly, intellectual and vintage, whilst also enjoying power being trendy and chic. Since the 17th century, tortoiseshell glasses have captivated wearers – first in  original tortoiseshell; nowadays, with endless technology, there are varied tortoiseshell patterns, as well as marbled and multi-coloured. Designers love the opportunities of working with tortoiseshell patterns –  here are several frames that catapult tortoiseshell to new fashion summits. Tortoiseshell is a favourite of Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei (top image). Handcrafted excellence is evident in Epicuro from the Philosophers Collection that combines transparent acetate with Havana tortoiseshell. The distinguished shape features trapezoidal lenses combined with a unique nose bridge. Visit www.resrei.com for individualistic frame creations from the Italian brand symbolic with excellent taste, traditions and trends.

Beaudelaire by Lafont Paris

Lafont Paris has beautiful tortoiseshell variations wafting through the collections – with designs ingeniously created for men, women and children. Included in the latest collection is Beaudelaire, named after Charles Beaudelaire, the compelling 19th century French poet, art critic and essayist. If Beaudelaire were here today, he might enjoy wearing this style, with its pure, uncluttered shape, elegant colourations, and distinctive nose bridge. Discover more Lafont designs at www.lafont.com

KoKo by OG Icons

KoKo by Oliver Goldsmith has a charming history. The frame was named after a California gorilla that was able to learn and use sign language. The powerful features of the frame express a gorilla’s strength and robustness. The design is from the OG Icons Collection – a desired, best-selling design for over forty years. The voluminous shape in tortoiseshell acetate is an enduring classic from the iconic British brand. www.olivergoldsmith.com

OGI Eyewear
Article One
DIFFUSER Tokyo
NYC LOFT 2025
Res Rei
LEINZ
Orgreen
Rain by Orgreen Optics

Orgreen Optics excels in contemporary minimalistic aesthetics. The Danish label modernises tortoiseshell by combining with titanium steel, Orgreen’s distinctively lightweight trademark. The super slim, linear frame Rain is a thoroughly sleek rendition of classical, much loved tortoiseshell. www.orgreenoptics.com JG

Hamburg: new independent store opens

H.B.K Hamburg, an independent store created by Klaas Stolzenburg and Gregor Thomsen has opened in north Hamburg. The shop is located near Stormarnplatz, and presents a mix of independent eyewear brands including German design labels REIZ (www.reiz.net), Coblens (www.coblens.de), MatzeMarpe (www.matzemarpe.de) and Hamburg Eyewear (www.hamburg-eyewear.de) as well as Dick Moby (www.dick-moby.com) from Amsterdam and the Danish brand Orgreen (www.orgreenoptics.com). The interior has been designed by the two young opticians, who explained how they installed – for the most part – the interior fittings and lighting themselves.

Interior H.B.K Hamburg

Simple natural wooden floors, wood shelving and display areas, industrial lighting, and large floor-to-ceiling windows create an atmosphere that is fresh and welcoming, with the feel of a friendly open gallery.

Res Rei
LAMARCA EYEWEAR
TVR True Vintage Revival
JISCO
DIFFUSER Tokyo
ERKERS
Look
Article One

“Whether trendy, retro or extravagant, our range offers the right eyewear for every taste,” explain the owners, who have a passion for handcrafted quality collections. “The shop has a cozy Hanseatic ambiance, designed to make the eyewear purchase a real experience for anyone who comes to see us.”

Find more details about the store at https://www.hanseatischesbrillenkontor.com Hanseatisches Brillenkontor · Frahmredder 5 · 22393 Hamburg, Germany – CN Find more stores in Germany: https://www.eyestylist.com/2016/03/family-optics-in-munich/

Leopard print: 8376 Jono Hennessy

Controvesy and conservatism are no strangers to leopard print. The trend started to be fashionable with Joan Crawford, the glamorous Hollywood movie star, and nowadays, actress Cate Blanchett and model Kate Moss are “spotted” in leopard prints. In Western culture, leopard prints are a symbol of power and wealth. They are a favourite from royalty to rock stars, and politicians. While politicians may not concur on many subjects, two UK politicians do agree on leopard print as a fashion statement. Theresa May, UK Prime Minister, is known for her fondness for leopard print shoes, while Labour MP Angela Rayner was photographed recently in a leopard print top. The magnificently sleek animal inspires designers of fashion, accessories, home decor, and eyewear.

Jono Hennessy’s latest collection includes a tribute to the species with a beautiful Mazzuchelli Italian acetate frame that replicates the leopard’s amazing spots. Like a leopard, JH 8376 is a bold and strong design – a contemporary shape, with a soft, sculptural flow, and a subtle retro hint on the temples. Jono Hennessy frames are crafted with spectacle making traditions that ensure beauty, fine fit, comfort and durability.

Look
ERKERS
SALT.
MOREL
BLACKFIN
OGI Eyewear
Res Rei

The Australian brand Jono Hennessy was founded in 1925 and remains a family business to this day. Based in Sydney, Jono Hennessy is passionate about his city and country. Frame inspiration is frequently derived from his surroundings in a city with innovative architecture, including the Sydney Opera House; and the Australian outback, with its diverse animals, plants, trees and colours. Plus there is the allure of sea, sun and surf – another strong influence for him. Eyewear is in Jono Hennessy’s DNA: as a child he watched his father when fitting custom-made frames for clients, and perform eye tests. Jono’s early experiences are now entrenched into third generation quality frame making. Discover more frame adventure – both optical and sunglass designs –  at www.jonohennessy.com JG