Joan

25th September 2015 This morning the curtain rises for the 2015 edition of SILMO in Paris at Villepinte, featuring an exhilarating roster of eyewear brands from international companies. The new Excellence Collection by ROLF Spectacles in Austria (above) features elegant, classic designs with grace, lightness and creativity. ROLF has elevated their superb craftsmanship to towering heights, with engraved wood eyewear frames, plus two-tone styles that emphasise elaborate details and precise, beautiful finishes. The Excellence Collection includes fourteen new designs, in seven different woods, and four different wood and stone combinations. www.rolf-spectacles.com

HAPTER in Italy presents a Special Edition of their acclaimed Trench Goggle – Mod. M100. The latest design is so far the most advanced interpretation of the frame and manufacturing technique achieved by the HAPTER team. They reflected on how life might have been 100 years ago (M100) to envision the perfect protection tool for World War 1 soldiers in the mountain trenches. The environment for the soldiers was terrifying and demanding, and the M100 – Trench Goggle – was conceived as the would-have-been perfect helmet appendix, for function, protection and mental relief. M100 Trench Goggle is the new vanguard of the HAPTER Icons Line, created for today’s adventurous and courageous explorers. www.hapter.it  SILMO information at www.silmoparis.fr JG

Debut at SILMO

24th September 2015 All roads lead to Paris this weekend with the opening of SILMO 2015. International eyewear designers exhibiting include Susanne Klemm, the Netherlands based creator of the dynamic Suzy Glam collection. Klemm is in an accelerated mood with her racy “Drives Fast Cars” frame in burnt orange acetate. With its sharp angles and dramatic brow line, the frame is an exciting testament of eyewear opportunities. www.suzyglam.com Photo: Aisha Zeijpveld

At l.a. Eyeworks, tiers of patterned, solid and transparent acetates have been calibrated precisely to form a complex blueprint of strategic sculpting. The result is a harmonious multi-layered chromatic essay – as seen in Arden – with three dimensions. Gorgeous colours too – Fire on Red/Brown Streak (above) and joyous Sunrise Haze Streak. www.laeyeworks.com

Coppe & Sid announce their collaboration with the Italian outerwear company Parajumpers, to launch a collection of free-spirited sunglasses. The Liberator features a sleek double bridge in dark Havana acetate, with contrasting metal trim in Antique Bronze. There are five different styles — all crafted in Italy – in smart colourations. More info at www.eyedesignclub.com  SILMO details at www.silmoparis.com JG

Magical Interpretations of the Colour SpectrumPreviews of new season launches indicate that the colour spectrum is absolutely stunning! Bright colourations abound, as well as lovely nuances of deep, rich tones, and subtle mutations. Duo and tri-tone effects provide additional style and flair. SALT. Optics – the California based company – explores the many fascinating aspects of nature, and Eleanor (above) in Dragonfly is a beautiful example. The two-tone acetate design in a contemporary silhouette is handcrafted in Japan. www.saltoptics.com

HAPTER in Italy has launched a striking bi-coloured design – Optical EO4S – with colour both inside and outside the frame. The colourations are chic and sophisticated in muted tones. This is an elegant new feature from Eric Balzan and Mirko Forti, in a design that is suitable for small to regular-size faces. Sophistication and understated luxury are totally aligned in Prime Line, within the txt001 HAPTER collection. www.hapter.it

Benjamin Franklin – one of America’s Founding Fathers – was also a witty man who thrived on work, and according to legend – the inventor of bifocals. Theo in Belgium have creatively – and colourfully – updated Franklin’s invention with a 21st Century version, that enables bifocal wearers to have perfect far away and close up view. Tandem in vibrant shocking pink is for the individualist who won’t settle for less – just like the fascinating Mr. Franklin. www.theo.be

California designers Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gherardi at l.a. Eyeworks debut a multi-faceted collection this month at SILMO Paris in dynamic colours. Pingo in acetate – deliciously named Emerald Lagrassy Fade with Deep Eggplant – features a signature metal browline, with handmade custom epoxy finishes. The latest optical collection from l.a. Eyeworks is a modern exploration of colour and shape. www.laeyeworks.com

Colour vibrations and special surface techniques are emphasised in frames by Face à Face Paris. Selma displays scratched acetate with hand varnishing for a rich, lustrous look in  glossy cherry and teal blue. A modern cat-eye shape adds to the allure and individuality of the design. www.faceaface-paris.com JG

Eyewear Designers at Motorworld

Important dates to note on the October calendar are Saturday and Sunday the 17th and 18th – when major independent eyewear designers present their collections at Motorworld in Stuttgart. Stunning eyewear and an equally distinctive collection of vintage cars at the same venue is an ideal way to enjoy an autumn weekend! Over fifty unique companies – including Götti; Orgreen; Spectacle Eyeworks; Onkel Ferdi; Kirk & Kirk; Bellinger; Joel Lesca; Tavat; and Slav Nowosad among others, will present their latest collections at this outstanding international exposition of creative eyewear.

The Canadian design house Spectacle Eyeworks pays homage to history and heritage with the Cyrus (above) frame. Inspired by the power of the past – and connecting with the present – the temples of each frame are meticulously engraved. Cyrus is named after the Great King of Persia who wrote The Tablet of Cyrus. Designer Mehran Baghaie says: “My Persian roots and family, the visual richness and enigmatic nature of symbolism, as well as the freedom and equality of mankind, continue to be a defining source of influence and inspiration with these new designs.” www.spec-eyeworks.com

Swiss designer Sven Götti has an elegant, deft touch with eyewear materials. His latest collection combines acetate and Titanium, crafted beautifully into Tonky – in a glorious shade of autumn plum. The voluminous shape is remarkably slim and lightweight. www.gotti.ch

Fun details and dashing colours highlight designs at Danish company Bellinger. Bella is a bright tonal mix – colours that are ideal with autumn fashions. www.bellinger.dk

Handcrafted in Italy, Tavat has launched a unique frame – Soupcan Pantos – in red acetate and light gun metal, with great attention to detail – particularly on the nose piece and temples. www.tavat-eyewear.com Save the Dates! 17th and 18th October for Die Brillenmesse in Stuttgart. More info at www.diebrillenmesse.de JG