February 2023

100% Optical, London: latest news

23rd February 2023

100% Optical will showcase a wide choice of eyewear brands in London this weekend – the latest releases will include some of the new products highlighted here putting the spotlight on high-tech, 3D printed and sustainable materials, including recycled materials, bioplastics, wood and stone….offering British opticians a great opportunity to see the evolution of independent eyewear design. A very bright and bold colour palette will be a feature across the exhibition stands this year!

This weekend marks a highlight in the UK’s optical calendar with the 2023 edition of 100% Optical, from Saturday 25th February to Monday 27th February 2023. The fair takes place at ExCel, London’s premiere exhibition centre in the east of the capital, close to Canary Wharf.

A wide selection of eyewear companies, including independent brands, have confirmed their participation in the London event, among them Ørgreen Optics, Rolf Spectacles, Sea2see, Tree Spectacles, Kirk & Kirk, Morel, Erkers1879, Struktur, SALT. Optics, FACE A FACE, Woow and Nirvan Javan, to name a few.

Award-winning natural materials experts Rolf Spectacles will be represented for the first time at 100%, and have two nominations in the Love Eyewear Awards (kid’s category and sustainable frame category). The Tyrol based artisan label has become a go-to brand in the UK for opticians stocking premium eyewear, and is recognised for its extremely innovative mix of natural eyewear materials, from natural wood and stone, to 3D printed bean based glasses. Above: Rolf Spectacles will head to 100% Optical for the first time, with an array of sustainable natural frames for adults and children – pictured, girl wears the Gamma glasses in the evolved collection – created with natural stone

Find trendsetting colour combinations in the new collection at Woow Eyewear at 100%

Multiple colours and structures with interesting angles and spaces are typical features of the new Woow Collection by Design Eyewear Group. This upbeat line for SS2023 is inspired by holidays and relaxation, and a mood of carefree fun. Preview the frames at www.wooweyewear.com

Nirvan Javan : the collections by the Swiss designer will be on show in London for the first time

The eyewear collection by the Swiss based designer Nirvan Javan will be introduced for the first time in London, by The Exclusive Eyewear Agency. The collections are inspired by unique cities around the world including London, Tokyo, and Toronto. The brand has just announced its brand new Marrakech line, with frames informed by the colours and cultural richness of the historic Moroccan city. www.nirvanjavan.com

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

BCorp certified Sea2see: ‘sustainable’ eyewear made from 100% marine waste

100% Optical offers an opportunity to find leading sustainable eyewear brands making important steps in sustainability. They include the carbon negative eyewear company Sea2see, always a highlight at the 100% show, and Bird Eyewear, known for its timeless designs, which this year include a new line in bioplastics and recycled materials. www.sea2see.org

Bird Eyewear: launching a new line at 100% featuring bioplastics and recycled materials

100% takes place over three days at ExCel London. Some of the highlighted events during the weekend with include the award ceremony for the Royal College of Art Competition – with the theme ‘Sunglasses that do not cost the earth’, the presentation of the Love Eyewear Awards, and an opening night party with live music. For further information www.100percentoptical.com 100% Optical is a trade-only optical event.

Reviews

Pont Mirabeau by Ahlem Eyewear

21st February 2023

A close look at a bold frame from the Spring/Summer release

Parisian landmarks. Historic buildings. Favourite arrondissements. The new frames in the Spring/Summer collection by Ahlem Eyewear are linked to Parisian life and culture through names of importance, familiarity and striking historic significance, conjured up by memories in the French city where Ahlem Manai-Platt grew up. Typically, the frames in this line are the result of careful study and inspiration, in this case drawing on two subcultures, the original jazz era of the 1950s and 60s, and La Sape, the postcolonial African legacy of self-determination through natty dress.

Among the extensive choice of models, Pont Mirabeau offers a bold and generously proportioned frame style – as an ophthalmic frame it comes in two new shades of petrol light and brown light – both in sync with a sophisticated timeless mood that is permeating through ready-to-wear and accessory trends – and offering special nuances of design at a time when newness and Spring desires are definitely in the air.

Pont Mirabeau by Ahlem Eyewear, pictured in dark light

The frame is available in two other shades called dark light (nearly black but with a degree of transparency to lift it) and dry pampas – a lovely greyish taupe with a crystal finish. All the styles – sun and optical – at Ahlem are made exclusively in France (and sometimes in Japan, depending on the materials and subtleties of craftsmanship required), according to time-honored tradition; they have an obvious hand finished elegance and charisma only possible via artisan craft. Top image: Photography by Andrea Spotorno for the new campaign at Ahlem Eyewear. Find out more by visiting the website, www.ahlemeyewear.com

Design + Inspiration

Sustainable architecture: Spain

17th February 2023

The eyewear company Woody’s has opened a new HQ in Vic, Catalunya / the building is sustainable and fuses design, personality and functionality

One of the latest independent eyewear producers to take a step forward in initiating a bold and sustainable footing for their company, frame company Woodys have opened new premises in a building with three floors and more than 3.000 square metres. The space is part of a commitment by the company to improve services and express the values of the brand. It also represents a reflection of the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

Woodys House: new open plan studio and work spaces – “full of colours and power”

“The new headquarters …allow us to advance and improve….it’s a charismatic and attractive place ready to continue growing….”

Woodys – the new showroom is striking in every detail

The new building, which features interiors created by the brand’s own creative team, is designed to reduce environmental impact and ensure greater energy efficiency, adopting a respectful and responsible architectural approach through the installation of solar panels for energy supply and the use of geothermal energy for air conditioning. It is also a welcoming space with bright colours, plenty of light, and interesting details.

Attributes include wide open spaces, a trendy colour palette with shades of pink-orange coral, bright yellow and bold turquoise blue, a showroom with light wood flooring and natural light flooding in, and brightly coloured contemporary furniture, more typical of a home environment than an office, across its different floors.

The pivot towards a more sustainable existence and identity among independent eyewear companies is already an ongoing trend in the optical business. The Woodys House represents further evidence that corporate sustainability and future-oriented projects in this area are increasingly desirable and appealing for those who are looking to future benefits, profitability and all-round success for their company and creative teams.

Design + Inspiration

Subtle colours rising… for Spring

17th February 2023

Beyond the obvious Pantone colours, subtler tones in the eyewear palette for Spring work beautifully for diverse skin tones, with varieties which mirror the most subtle and chic fashion looks of the year…we found tones of white, coral, natural green, sea-inspired blue, light brown and taupe…

Designers have introduced light, wearable chic tones for Spring/Summer, alongside the bold palette of colours that continue to encourage self-expression and unique style. Among the new proposals to note are fresh varieties of coral, a colour which fits perfectly with the timeless trends in fashion and a palette of white, neutrals and timeless classics. Above: White and Coral: at the French label, VUE DC, the Mia style comes in two important tones of the year: a stunning ‘milky’ white and a natural fresh coral colour (www.vuedc.com)

Contemporary brown tints: Model Dutchtown in Brown Crystal from Erkers1879

Erkers1879 describe their lightweight Dutchtown sunglasses as comfortable, stylish and made to last. The Brown Crystal tone is an interesting alternative to more sombre, darker hues, introducing a delicate, and softer fashion-oriented look with the transparent translucent finish. – www.erkers1879.com

Blues and greens merge: fresh feeling sea-inspired blues and natural greens together, at RES/REI

Green and blue tones and subtle varieties are fast evolving in the eyewear collections, with fresh mixes in fine acetate which offer a beautiful clarity and definition of colour, well suited to natural skin tones. RES/REI’s Spring Summer 2023 acetate frames are multi-laminates which explore combinations and sometimes many subtle tones in one single frame. www.resrei.com

Taupe tones: Weinberger by Kaleos in light transparent taupe with double taupe and transparent nude laminate

The Spanish label Kaleos has introduced fresh green tones and variations of nude and taupe into their line for Spring/Summer – a close reflection of new fashion colours and a style mood that is minimal, clean and rooted in a timeless aesthetic for simple, pared down shapes. The neutral colours and taupes in eyewear tend to suit warm skin tones and hair colourings, but the obvious rules don’t always apply so it’s best to try on a variety of frames in the colour to find the best variation and combination for each unique complexion.

Nude and light natural pink tones: Spencer by SALT. Optics in a chic Japanese acetate

The Spencer frame by SALT. Optics is a good example of how the colour palette evolves for the season. The timeless Spencer frame is available in this pretty pinkish tone and taupe as well as a very light smokey grey. Find the frame at www.saltoptics.com

Watch this space for new colour trends!

Design + Inspiration

In Memoriam – Anne Valentin – 1953 to 2023

16th February 2023

Following the announcement by the Toulouse based eyewear company Anne & Valentin of the passing of Anne Valentin on 24th January 2023, Eyestylist pays tribute to one of the eyewear industry’s inspirational creative talents.

Born in December 1953, Valentin was co-founder of the eyewear label Anne & Valentin. “The pair followed their intuitions, their desires, with a unique shared vision inspired by their love of art and of artists,” said Sylvie Jicquel, President and current owner of Anne & Valentin, who took over the brand under Anne’s guidance and tutelage. “When I met Anne in 2010, I discovered a woman of true character and charisma. There was always something radiant about her, an astounding strength…her talent, her sure taste, her ambition and her determination have inspired me since.”

Valentin was a talented creative who was hugely admired across the eyewear business when the brand shot to fame as a leading independent French label and proponent of unique, artistic eyewear styles, which quickly gained a following around the globe. In an exclusive interview in 2012, she told Eyestylist in her own words how the business first started (2012):

“It just happened one day, from a desire to break with boredom….  A first collection made as beginners, then another, then another, until beautiful objects appeared: great eyeglasses! For over fifteen years, we have been designing them, constantly renewing our shapes and colours. Convinced that uniform grey is nobody’s dream, and that this profession is a pleasure only if it is accompanied by some spirit with lots of heart. Today, our brand Anne & Valentin is available throughout Europe, in the United States, Canada, Korea, and Japan…in the most innovative boutiques of the world…..”

Eyestylist pays tribute to Anne, a true artist of the frame. We extend our deepest sympathy to her friends and family around the world. Eyestylist interviewed Anne Valentin in 2012. To read the interview visit: https://www.eyestylist.com/2012/10/anne-valentin/