Search results for danielle rattray

Silmo Preview: Danielle Rattray

17th September 2024

The Scottish designer was inspired by the spirit of the 1960s for new directions in a collection which pursues musical inspiration to create a cool eyewear vibe

Charm, individuality and an inimitable sense of British fashion edge, the eyewear collection by Danielle Rattray infuses very wearable design with a special attention to craftsmanship and fine finishing in details such as angles and bevels. Danielle told Eyestylist this week: “My 2024/25 design direction builds on the confident lines and colour signatures I love from my early collections, but now with some evolution towards curves and subtlety in the silhouettes. While the 23/24 collection came from a place more inspired by British rock ’n roll, the 24/25 spirit brings inspiration from musical eras I love from a little earlier. The 1960’s. Artists like Marianne Faithful and Nico. Strong, talented women who made their marks in a beautiful, stylish way. Hedy, Bibi, Riv all carry a new DNA and I am really excited about the new styles for 2025 too!”

Among the new elements highlighted is the introduction of the colour, Smoke / Jura in France. This is a tribute to the eyewear culture of the Rhone Alpes and Haut Jura, combining a warm yellow lens representing the iconic tones of the Haut Jura with a soft smoke 8mm acetate, representing the granite streets of my hometown Aberdeen, a dedication from Scotland to France. Above: model Jean by Danielle Rattray – photography by Paulina Pellowska

Danielle Rattray – model Jean has been handcrafted with bevels and angles – visible across the design

The fine angular shape Jean – in the sunglasses collection – has evolved from a mix of inspirations from eyewear of past eras with modern international culture. The new Smoke / Jura is a feature of this model, which also comes in Ink blue / Navy and Polished Black / Copper.

LOFT NYC - chelsea industrial chelsea factory march 13-15 New York

Danielle Rattray: the Hedy model comes in Smoke / Jura

Model Hedy represents what is currently a trending oval shape generally in eyewear this season: Rattray’s interpretation is fresh and refined with a flattering shape and a little touch of genuine design quality that you can feel as soon as the frame is in your hands. The colours, including the pure black version, are chic and individual, and bring out the qualities of the fine acetate materials. For more information about Daniel Rattray read our interview with the designer at https://www.eyestylist.com/2023/05/one-to-watch-danielle-rattray-eyewear-designer/

For more information about the collection: www.daniellerattray.com

Creative spirits

One to watch: Danielle Rattray, eyewear designer

3rd May 2023

Hailing from Northeast Scotland, eyewear designer Danielle Rattray is by all means one to watch. Seeking inspiration from her home country, a landscape bursting with culture, “colourful characters and great music”, in her words, Rattray creates strikingly bold-yet-refined frames worn by loyal patrons of her brand in London, Paris and soon…New York. Her style and energy is inspiring the youngest generations of fashion eyewear enthusiasts…. Eyestylist spoke to the Scottish designer…

Tell us a bit about yourself; how you grew up, what put you on the path you’re currently on…I come from the Northeast of Scotland, it’s an area full of colourful characters, great music, and lots of talented designers. I studied graphic design in Dundee and spent a lot of time in London, so it was an eclectic path full of inspirations.

How would you describe yourself? Committed.

What is your earliest memory of fashion? Fashion for me was always tied closely to music. Blondie, Patti Smith, Keith Richards, Vivienne Westwood. I always had a good understanding of colour and aesthetic; punk was a strong source of inspiration for me, it still is.

Have you always been a creative person? Yes, I think so. I was always drawn to colour, fabrics and aesthetics, as well as art and music.

What stands out to you most about the eyewear industry? That there is a place for everyone. You can be free to design in an understated way, or a really bold and outgoing way and people will support you and be open to your ideas. I love the pace of change and how new ideas emerge.

Does your culture and home country influence your work in any capacity? Definitely. Scotland is a small but strongly independent country. No nonsense and full of contrasts: gritty backstreets and noisy bars, but then spectacularly beautiful landscapes. My work is generally understated, but if you look closely, you see the quality and the effort that has been put in to create the relationship between the frames and the wearer.

From where do you draw the inspiration for your collections? Women, always. Again, a lot comes from the music I listen to; certain era’s and looks will inspire me. But it all comes back to women I see in the industry, or friends I meet. I travel between Scotland, London and Paris quite regularly, so I absorb different looks, and from that breeds new angles.

Tell us a little about your most recent line-up… My collections have evolved over the past few years from being heavily 60s and 70s inspired to being more unique to my personal design aesthetic. I have worked hard with my French factories, and I feel I have created a language in my collections that is strong but also understated and unique. Some of the shapes that seemed very strong in earlier seasons have developed into becoming best sellers. Obviously, colour is a signature as well as a consistently high-quality finish.

What do your designs say about their wearer? (Name one, two or a few) I think on and consider my customers a lot. I create clean and uncluttered external finishes and put more intimate details on the inside of the frames. Jean and Stevie are strong and confident frames; they’re bold, whereas Teddy and Stella are more 60s inspired; softer and pretty.

Your brand seems to be extremely bold, fashion-forward and exciting; would you be open to expanding into other areas of the industry at some point in the future? Actually, I have been designing fabrics and clothing all of my career, it’s just been in the background. I have enjoyed focusing on eyewear but, with my Scottish roots, fabric and pieces that are particularly inspired by music and punk culture will never be far away. This year, I released a collection of knitwear working with one of Scotland’s oldest knitwear manufacturers – the results were incredible. That capsule is on sale now as part of my Spring ‘23 collection.

What’s next on the horizon for Danielle Rattray? I hope lots of travel, and continued progress in finding great stores to work with. We will keep our focus on the United Kingdom and France this year, but we have strong demand coming from New York and I would love to see Danielle Rattray present there. I have some new design elements coming into the collections this year, so I am looking forward to Silmo.

For more details about the brand visit www.daniellerattray.com An interview by Victoria G. L. Brunton exclusively for Eyestylist.com

Design & Inspiration

100% Optical London: a showcase for the UK

11th March 2024

The London event spotlighted the great variety of eyewear collections and design and emerging labels available in the UK, alongside highlighting sustainable developments in eyewear…the event is the UK’s leading showcase of all things optical

Record attendance (11,725 visitor attendance) at the event through three days, a buoyant atmosphere and highlights from a variety of independent brands as well as licensed brands, the 10th edition of 100% Optical provided a thorough overview of eyewear trends and directions in 2024 as we head towards the Spring/Summer season.

Eyestylist observed many of the new themes evolving for Spring/Summer. Bold bright colours continue to reflect the different colour palettes coming through in fashion, and particular focus on colours like, green, red and bright blue. Examples of other luxurious tonal palettes and beautiful finishes of all types were also on view, as were new proposals where colours are combined in lively, characterful ways. Eyewear collections are now full of extraordinary variety, with many different materials available, as well as many interpretations of classic looks, contemporary design styles and trendy shapes – with interesting inspiration and creative design ideas. Above: model Matics by FACE A FACE – part of the fascinating Japan Now! collection, inspired by Japanese designers and culture – FACE A FACE is part of Design Eyewear Group

Woow Eyewear’s new Super Soul 1 – a tribute to the big names of jazz

Among the latest highlights at Woow Eyewear (Design Eyewear Group) were the bright tones of models designed to bring out a carefree mood with a “dose of positivity and good vibrations.” Model Super Soul 1 expresses that playful mood, with combinations of colour and materials that are carefully finessed.

ROLF’s model Indy – natural wood design for smaller faces

ROLF had an array of new styles in wood, 3D printed material and stone. The Indy style is part of the evolved collection, complementing the 128 series with its small dimensions for smaller faces.

Connie in Mocca by Götti Switzerland: in the popular 3D printed Dimension collection

The Dimension collection by Götti Switzerland is produced by means of state-of-the-art additive manufacturing, at the Swiss brand’s HQ in Zurich. The styles benefit from many interesting properties, from extreme comfort to aesthetic qualities.

Atlantic by Sea2see, the “seastainable” eyewear brand

Among the sustainable brands exhibiting at the show this year, Sea2see (www.sea2see.org) presented a collection which continues to exhibit the advancements in materials produced from marine waste. Styles such as model Atlantic have simple wearable shapes produced in ‘seastainable’ material with patterns and a variety of finishes.

Also notable were the small creative brands exhibiting at the fair: Nina Mûr from Madrid, Danielle Rattray from Scotland, and the accessories brand KODES (UK).

This year the 100% x RCA competition featured 10 finalists who exhibited their creative designs at the event. The winner was Joy Julius, who presented “Stack”, a piece inspired by the vintage optometry trial lenses design. The project was conceived to enable users to layer their glasses to customise them, combining different frame styles – and personalising them to reflect their individuality. 100% Optical returns to Excel London on 1st-3rd March 2024. For more information visit www.100percentoptical.com

Design & Inspiration

100% Optical promises line-up of international independent brands

8th February 2024

The London show, which takes place from 24th to 26th February 2024 will feature – as part of its optical industry showcase – a variety of independent eyewear brands, from start-ups and emerging labels to well established international names

100% Optical, the London eyewear show – which is celebrating 10 years, promises a broad selection of independent eyewear collections with brands travelling from across Europe to exhibit at the show. The latest labels to confirm their presence include neubau eyewear, Frost, UltraLimited and Vakay. Above: the Italian titanium label Blackfin will exhibit at 100% this year – they will show their new collections including new titanium sunglass designs featuring Blackfin AirGlass, cutting-edge mineral lenses by Barberini

Logan and Ryan by SALT. Optics – the Californian brand SALT. Optics is a popular independent eyewear exhibitor at 100%

The fair will highlight new trends and directions in the optical arena, pointing to sustainability, eco materials and colour and design trends as key areas that will be highlighted through the presence of the selection of independent labels. They will exhibit in a dedicated area – The Studio – this year, which is sponsored by Nikon Lenswear UK and located in the heart of the Eyewear Zone. The fair organisers say that this location is set to be “the biggest independent line-up to date across the three-day optical event”.

Market sunglasses by Erker’s1879 in a gorgeous new colour called classic ancient tortoise

100% Optical holds the popular Love Eyewear Awards, sponsored by ShopAr and including 13 categories for the 2024 Edition. The Love Eyewear Awards features independents and major designers, manufacturers and retailers in the Optical industry.

Supernova by Morel France: a favourite man’s frame with signature MOREL hinge – designed for added comfort

The shortlist of nominees for 2024 include Filipe Diniz Lunettes, OtrO Eyewear, l.a.Eyeworks, Okkul, KOMONO, Danielle Rattray, STRUKTUR Eyewear, ROLF., Gotti Switzerland, Mokki, Bird Eyewear, The Optical Gallery and more! The winners of the awards will be announced on Saturday 24th February 2024 on the renowned 100% Catwalk, sponsored by OCUCO at the show.

Model Clyde in Blush by Götti Switzerland – an example of state-of-the-art 3D printed sunglasses, produced in Switzerland

100% will welcome the following independent eyewear exhibitors and brands this year: Bevel (US), Bird Eyewear (UK), Blackfin (Italy); Danielle Rattray (Scotland), Erkers1879/Studio Optyx (US), FACE A FACE (Paris), GIGI Studios, Kirk & Kirk (UK), Morel (France), Ørgreen Optics (Denmark), MOREL (France), Nina Mûr, SALT. (US), Sea2see (Spain) – among others.

100% Optical is a three-day show (from 24-26th February at the ExCel London) – the event will once again welcome professionals, experts and eyewear enthusiasts alike through its doors to celebrate the world of eyewear and optics. The February show will mark the 10th edition of 100% Optical, and organisers predict that the event will attract over 10,000 optical professionals from across the globe. For more information and to register, visit www.100percentoptical.com

Design & Inspiration

Mido 2024: the 52nd edition

16th January 2024

Milan will host its 2024 optical event from 3^rd to 5th February 2024 at Fieramilano, Rho

The annual trade-only fair MIDO attracts eyecare professionals, optical industry specialists, buyers and distributors from around the world to its comprehensive programme of events, workshops, seminars, talks and 8 extensive exhibition areas (in 7 pavilions) – featuring a huge hub of international eyewear brands, and lens, contact lens, materials, tech and machinery companies related to optics.

For those who seek independent or emerging labels and creative eyewear design collections, Mido proposes several dedicated areas which continue to be top destinations for inspiration and orientation for all visiting optical retailers. They include the Academy – for a curated selection of international independent brands – “who make originality their motto” and a Start Up area which hosts emerging players in the eyewear/optical product/accessory segments. This year, the Academy will welcome a large selection of independent brands and designers, among them Bayria Eyewear (Italy), Design Shower (South Korea), FFIN Eyewear – exhibiting for the first time in Milan (UK), Eyevan (Japan), FOLC Eyewear (Spain), Jean Philippe Joly (France), Gamine (US), Henau (Belgium), Leinz Eyewear (Germany), Junk Plastic Rehab (Italy), Nina Mur (Spain), Struktur (France), and the young Scottish designer, Danielle Rattray (UK).

In the Design areas, a vast array of current and avantgarde companies in the sector have booked to exhibit, including Ahlem, Akoni, Blackfin, Rigards, Capote, Movitra Milano, RES/REI and VAVA Eyewear. The Scandinavian company Orgreen Optics returns to MIDO this year – exhibiting in Pavilion 4.

The Academy: always a busy area at the MIDO fair, featuring a mix of high-quality independent brands from around the world

This year, the START UP area (Pavilion 2) will include a variety of new collections and accessory lines, such as Alfred Kerbs Eyewear from Spain, EYESONOFF who produce accessories, and luxury brand LEIMANN from Paris, who will exhibit for the first time ever.

The START-UP area at Mido (2023 edition)

MIDO will host its annual awards at the 2024 edition to recognise excellence and sustainability initiatives within the eyewear sector. They include the BeStore Award, created to give recognition to exceptional retail experiences, and the ‘Stand Up For Green’ Award, designed for creative sustainable stand design at the event. The Certified Sustainable Eyewear (CSE) Award is described as a collaborative evaluation of global sustainability efforts in the industry.

MIDO 2024 – 3rd to 5th February 2024 – will be open from 9:00am to 7:00pm on the Saturday/Sunday, and 9:00am to 6:00pm on the Monday of the event. For more information and to register, visit https://www.mido.com/en/