Sunglasses are the ultimate summer accessory – and a legendary style statement. Feeling passionate for retro? Contemporary? Voluminous shapes? Radiant colours? Explore a bit of fantasy with international designers fulfilling your fashion cravings with glamorous, luxurious and amazingly crafted sunglasses. Eyestylist presents exhilarating selections that will brighten your spirit – and summer – for 2017. Amanda (above) is an expressive shape in luminous Dusk acrylic from the Kaleidoscope Collection by Jason and Karen at Kirk & Kirk, and is equally chic in seaside and urban surroundings. www.kirkandkirk.com
Echoes of the Italian Riviera that Luca Gnecchi Ruscone at L.G.R knows and loves highlight Reunion XXL in soft pink matt acetate with grey lenses. www.lgrworld.com
Oliver Goldsmith’s iconic Manhattan first introduced in 1960 is reinvented in a Limited Edition with dramatic gold flourish: Mahnattan Goldside. www.olivergoldsmith.com
Romantic, feminine and inspired by Nature – Tulipano by Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei in overlapped acetates with floral colourations radiates charismatic confidence. www.resrei.com
Fashion Blogger Lisa Dengler sets the mood for summer in Zac Posen’s sleek sunnies with a graciously curved silhouette in gentle pearl. www.kenmarkoptical.com
California beauty and serenity coupled with technical excellence, beautiful materials, and bold styling in sought after tortoiseshell acetate enriches SALT. Optics design Lopez – created for outdoor living! www.saltoptics.com
Playful styling, complimented with creative contours, and a dash of gold, midnight blue and black colourations in Bocca Divine by Face à Face, reflects mystery and intrigue for your summer adventures. www.faceaface-paris.com
Silhouette’s Titan Minimal Art sunglasses Explorer in summery ocean blue, are cool and alluring with a refined, elegant cat-eye shape. www.silhouette.com JG
Götti Boutique Lucerne
Götti and Switzerland are synonymous with beauty and artistic creativity. Twenty-three years ago, Sven Götti opened his first optical shop with Urs Niederer – Götti + Niederer – and the first collection of Götti designs were sold there. The historical building – Mühlenplatz 1 in Lucerne – is now the setting for Sven Götti’s own exclusive eyewear boutique in contemporary, streamlined surroundings that echo the Swiss designer’s frames. The straight-lined interior provides the ideal setting for the minimalistic titanium and acetate optical and sunglass designs. The interior is sleek and pure in black and white, combined with oak parquet floors.
The complete Götti collections are on display including the Götti Dimension frames created using 3D printing technology; and the latest innovative Götti Perspective rimless project. The reception area features a “Wall of Frames” photo display with personalities that are fans of Götti eyewear. Among others you will find Tamy Glauser; Hans-Ulrich Obrist; Philipp Fankhauser; Stefanie Heinzmann; Greis; and Lea Lu.
The eye-catcher in the Boutique is a chandelier manufactured from over five hundred pairs of sunglasses from previous Götti collections. The unique light installation was specially designed for this store by the Zurich design studio Bureau Purée. There are many reasons to visit Lucerne Switzerland – the wonderful covered bridge Kapellbrüke (Chapel Bridge) built in 1333; the amazing medieval architecture; The Richard Wagner Museum; and now a stunning tribute to Sven Götti’s dedication to eyewear and Switzerland. www.gotti.ch JG
Spectrum of colours: Tinted lenses
Nowadays, seeing life through rose tinted lenses is only one option for a cheerful, optimistic attitude. New lens colours are as exciting as the designs in which they are placed. Pairing sleek sunglasses with beautifully tinted lenses bring yet another exciting perspective to eyewear. A summery, nautical mood is expressed by Luca Gnecchi Ruscone at L.G.R with Lawrence (above) a powerful shape with zero base blue tinted lenses, and a foldable white flap with stunning blue stitching. Definitely the frame for those who embrace adventure! www.lgrworld.com
Sven Götti’s striking new Götti DIMENSION collection with 3D printing is lovingly crafted with luxurious precision. Caine in Brick features brown gradient lenses: sophisticated, streamlined and oh so stylish! www.gotti.ch
Look and feel The Diva – wearing Plein Les Mirettes feline-inspired Diva 1 in a collage of Tokyo milky tortoise acetate, with a thin layer of crystal, and navy blue Zeiss lenses. Discover more “Diva’s” by the French brand at www.plein-les-mirettes.fr
LINDBERG’s handcrafted frames unite with beautiful Style Colour lenses from Transitions Optical. Ultra-lightweight, minimalist Model 6535 by LINDBERG n.o.w. harmonises with Transitions Amber lenses for a contemporary, individualistic attitude. Style Colour lenses seamlessly transform from clear to dark when exposed to UV light. Explore more at www.lindberg.com and www.stylecolours.co.uk
Voluminous, expressive, evocative and glamorous, Zero 09 by Finest Seven in Platinum with gradient blue lenses is the ideal accessory for summer escapades. The lightweight design features high-tech detailing for perfect fit and comfort. www.finestseven.com
Blackfin’s summer sun design Gold Beach echoes the 1950’s with a cat-eye silhouette, rejuvenated with modern composites – pure titanium with subtle pink-mirrored lenses. See more Blackfin sunnies at www.blackfin.eu JG
XL2097 – Dolce Collection Line Art Charmant
Glamour, exquisite detailing, and cutting-edge innovation harmonise luxuriously in XL2097 from the Dolce collection by Line Art Charmant. The frame possesses an aura of jewellery, with brilliantly cut Swarovski stones that adorn the temples. The Dolce signature look is a twisted double-filament temple held together by a decorative dot to create graceful curves. Excellence Titan ensures perfect fit and comfort. Available in chic matt bronze (above) plus purple, rose gold, and white gold. Discover more at www.charmant.com JG
Balenciaga, L’Oeuvre au Noir at Musée Bourdelle
Luxurious simplicity united with artisan tailoring launched Cristobel Balenciaga into the rarefied world of global haute couture. The Palais Galliera pays homage to the couturiers’ couturier with the Spanish designer being celebrated at the elegant Musée Bourdelle in Paris, a superb museum that is home to extraordinary sculptures, photos and drawings.
The retrospective traces Balenciaga’s Spanish childhood that was the inspiration for many of his designs – particularly those in Black – that reflected the folklore and traditions of his upbringing. Balenciaga’s tailoring skills are legendary: he launched the balloon dress (1950), the tunic dress (1955), and the sack dress (1957).
The exhibition includes stunning examples of his suits, jackets, capes, and quiet understatement in evening outfits and cocktail dresses. Balenciaga’s designs were austere – almost monastic – yet were so powerful because of the construction in silk velvet, lace, silk taffeta and fine wools. Over one hundred pieces from The Galliera Collections and Maison Balenciaga archives are included in the exhibition. Both Balenciaga L’Oeuvre au Noir and Musée Bourdelle are a must see! Through 16 July 2017. www.bourdelle.paris.fr JG
Top image: Balenciaga Veste et robe 1965-1966 Collection Palais Galliera – Julien Vidal/Galliera/Roger-Viollet