May 2018

Vinyl eyewear at Tipton, Budapest

Majestic architecture, the river Danube and the backdrop of the Buda Hills make Budapest one of the most stunning weekend destinations in Europe. The city is also home to Hungary’s no 1 independent eyewear company Tipton Eyeworks, located in the centre of the city across the street from the historic Cafe Centrale.

A wide choice of inventive eyewear at Tipton’s showroom

Opened to the public in 2017, the showroom offers a wonderful peep at a team of industrious, highly skilled artisans finishing frames, and a buzzing retail space exhibiting the collection, where Zach Tipton’s first eyewear designs and some very special limited edition glasses – including the NVSBLE range and a tribute to Bob Marley, are on show. A highlight is the photo wall of famous faces, including Robbie Williams, Elvis Costello, Fred Durst and Elton John. “I started with rimless in early 2000, but soon moved into vinyl,” explains Zach as we toured the workshops and store. “Over the years we have perfected how we use the vinyl and we remain the only company who has pursued this direction with a growing global success in top-level boutique shops.”

Visitors to Budapest can arrange an appointment to make their own frame at the showroom, with expert artisans on hand to explain the process of assembling individual frame parts, personalising the frame with gold lettering, and, eventually cleaning and polishing the frame – ready to wear. In the background music plays from the vinyl archive on a retro ‘record player’: we play all the LPs we use for the frames, Zach explains, as he puts on a mysterious 90s ambient album that has come from a London warehouse. A current favourite is AC/DC, the focus of a collaboration using the 22 x multi-platinum “Back in Black” album.

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Tipton Eyeworks showroom interior display (photo: Eyestylist)

Tipton Eyeworks has also achieved notoriety in the film industry in Budapest, producing frames for particular requirements on set, and as special commissions and gifts for the many actors and actresses visiting the city. This Spring, a Limited Edition design from the Cinematiq Collection was created for Antonio Banderas during the shooting of Genius: Life of Picasso. These unique sunglass editions are presented in a flat circular case similar to that used to carry old-school film.

Cinematiq, launched in 2018

Alongside the VINYLIZE collection launched in 2004, the new Cinematiq concept presents luxury acetate frames which make use of vintage 16mm film footage – perfectly aligned inside the temples where light illuminates the colourful action and characters within. And there is no stopping there. Whilst we were at the store, an ingenious, collaborative eco-inspired project was in production – a limited edition commission by coffee machine makers, Nespresso, recycling the aluminium coffee capsules into a chic run of co-branded sunglasses for Hungarian stores.

Eyestylist stayed at Hotel Rum, Budapest (www.hotelrumbudapest.com). Kind thanks to Tipton Eyeworks for a memorable first trip to their beautiful home city. Visit the company: TIPTON EYEWORKS, Iranyi  u. 20, 1056 Budapest www.tiptonbudapest.comwww.vinylize.com CN

Sun-sational sunnies!

Welcome summer – free from winter doldrums, and with eager anticipation of leisurely, sun-drenched days – now is the time to enjoy fabulous sunglasses. Eyewear designers cater to style/trend setters, with sunglass selections in alluring materials, shapes and colours to complement your easy-going, laid-back days. Luca Gnecchi Ruscone at L.G.R adores the Italian Rivera, and is influenced by the natural beauty of Capri for his sun specs that glow with the colours of the island. (Top image: Reunion – design purity, elegance and chic in Cappuccino from the L.G.R Capri Collection) www.lgrworld.com

RIGARDS RG0104CU “Mad Scientist” in copper

Copper is an unexpected component for eyewear, and in Ti Kwa’s talented vision it is a wonderful standout in his new collection for RIGARDS. RG0104CU – codenamed “Mad Scientist” – as it was designed in homage to the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s classic horror Frankenstein – is full of character with individual hand texturing adding an organic dimension to the frames. www.rigards.com

Rise in Bark acetate by Karmoie

The open green spaces of Norway inspire Karmoie’s beautiful design by Kirsten and Lars Iversen. They embrace summer with voluminous sunglasses in a sleek round shape. Rise in Bark is lovingly crafted in fine quality acetate with meticulous details. www.karmoie.com

Sun style variety by Plein Les Mirettes

Plein Les Mirettes in France entices with rich colourations for their impressive and dazzling variety of sun styles. Left to right: Diva 6 in exclusive colouration for PLM by Mazzucchelli; Fantasque 7 in vivid tones; Re Belle 9 in mustard – a seasonal favourite; Diva 7 in specific Mazzucchelli colours for PLM. Visit www.plein-les-mirettes.fr for additional glamorous colours and styles.

Elverfeld from the Signature Collection by Fleye Copenhagen

The exclusive Signature Collection at Fleye Copenhagen includes the sophisticated and oh so cool – Elverfeld – that combines solid and transparent layered acetate in beautiful colour combinations. Explore www.fleye.dk for additional sunglass creativity from the Danish brand.

Jimmy 9010S form the Jean-François Rey 1985 Collection

Sunshine is always a dynamic, enlightening inspiration for Marseille-based JF Rey. Jimmy 9010S is the latest innovative model in the Jean-François Rey 1985 collection – a powerful design in striking colours with a splendidly curved double-bridge. www. jfrey.fr JG

Alleno by Fleye Copenhagen

There’s a good choice of different shapes in sunwear this season. As well as smaller proportions, frames can be as different as you like, evolving from the classics like ovals and rounds. FLEYE Copenhagen does this well with Alleno, a luxurious technical frame made from 23 thin layers of carbon fibre and one super slim layer of wood.

Alleno by Fleye Copenhagen

The shape is almond-like, with a geometric yet organic like structure and matt surface. The colours are as refined as the construction itself, and in tune with a very fashionable, youthful vibe: choose from velvet black (my choice for the season), silver wood, grape or sea blue. FLEYE Copenhagen specialises in innovative design, “Driven by curiosity.” Find the full collection at www.fleye.dk CN

Here comes the sun

The arrival of spring and summer is abundant with thoughts of holidays, sun, warmth, and perhaps a leisurely escape. Time to celebrate and seek adventure, fun, and self-reflection to either new destinations  – or revisit favourite havens that have become very special. Whatever your preferences, greet the sunny season with that most glamorous of accessories – sunglasses. A particularly alluring design is Jono Hennessy’s stunning leopard print acetate frame (Top image 8402) with a gorgeous voluminous shape. www.jonohennessy.com

Ella – 3D Götti Dimension – by Sven Götti – Götti Switzerland

The numerous possibilities with 3D printing highlight the elegant geometric and topographical structures in the latest 3D Götti Dimension sunglasses, including Ella in sleek deep-dark blue wth a semi-matt finish. www.gotti.ch

Peggy Purple Poppies by Lucia Pasin Lu.Pa Studio

The artistic flair of Lucia Pasin at Lu.Pa Studio in Italy radiates in her vivid design – Peggy Purple Poppies – influenced by Peggy Guggenheim, collector and supporter of modern art. http://www.lupa-studio.myshopify.com

Petra in acrylic by Kirk & Kirk

Petra by Kirk and Kirk shimmers in charismatic luminous green acrylic with a sculpted retro-inspired shape. www.kirkandkirk.com JG

Diva X Sunglasses by Plein Les Mirettes

Get ready to greet summer in Plein Les Mirettes chic and smart Diva X – a graphic design with cat-eye echoes and intriguing contours. The frame front in green highlights a colour trend of the season, and is accented with tri-colouration with acetate layering in blush, and sides in tortoiseshell. Plein Les Mirettes is an artisan independent brand that is crafted in Normandy, France, a historical region recognised for both its white-chalk cliffs on the coasts, and rural tranquillity. Check out additional sunglass beauties in elegant colours at www.plein-les-mirettes.fr JG

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