EYESTYLIST : “A memorable, intimate showcase – with plenty of fresh products and innovative design brands” Written by Clodagh Norton
Last week’s Silmo 2021 welcomed exhibitors and visitors to their traditional venue in Paris with a particular atmosphere after the COVID hiatus and a period which until this point had remained difficult through most of 2021, particularly for business colleagues to come together. The show offered an intimate, meaningful experience for many people who we met, and a long awaited chance to engage with visitors and designers and view their innovations and new collections. The fair saw a good representation of brands from different countries including specialist collections from Italy (highlights included Delirious and L.G.R), Spain (Nina Mur and Sea2see), Austria (Rolf Spectacles), UK (Covrt Project) and Germany (Mykita and Leinz). France was well represented. Above: a new collection with elegant thick uniquely styled acetate shapes and exciting colour launched by VUE DC, the French artisan eyewear company, a longstanding exhibitor at the SILMO event
A mix of bold and striking design trends alongside classic timeless collections with a love for minimalist details were the two overriding key directions throughout the fair. The colour palette was in sync with these two directions, either strong and surprising with new and innovative combination tones and exciting neons, or on the other hand based on a nature-inspired palette with many intriguing finishes and patterns. Inspiration was extensive and ingenious, and designers we spoke to often cited nature, natural phenomena such as a sunset or a sunrise, and art and architecture as their most important influences in the last months.
Creative acetate collections were particularly colourful and explored new combinations and graduated colorations, while the strong presence of minimalist metal and 3d printed proposals showed that this is a time where there is room for all extremes – big and small proportions, very fine or very thick structures, cool and warm colour and smooth and rough details.
Sustainable design was talked about with frequency and many existing brands and new sustainable ones are taking some kind of steps to be more eco-conscious in how they work or produce products. Designers are paying attention to processes, materials and production to move away from the fast fashion culture and into an era where there is greater respect for lasting quality and frames created as design pieces “to be kept for life”.
Now that an international fair has been possible in Europe in 2021, the industry looks forward to further exchanges and in person events in the months to come. SILMO 2022 dates are confirmed for 23rd to 26th September 2022 (Paris Nord Villepinte). To find out more about SILMO, visit www.silmoparis.com
Eyestylist.com will report on more of the new innovations and trends in detail in the weeks and months ahead. This article was written by Eyestylist.com. Please seek permission if you wish to reprint our articles and viewpoints.