Joan

Hall of Frames Cologne

Independent Eyewear on The River Rhine

Hall of Frames has announced a new show for their independent eyewear events – on the banks of the River Rhine in Cologne. Show organisers Nath Wenger and Dirk Geissmann said: “We are very excited to organise our first show in Cologne! The city has a rich tradition in the eyewear industry, and “Die Brillenmesse” will be held on 25th and 26th April in the Dock One Hall, next to the River Rhine.

“Over fifty of the best Eyewear designers will present their spring news in a cool and relaxed setting. The expectations are high because the opticians in and around Cologne are famous for good taste and openness towards fine Eyewear. Only the best opticians can survive and “Die Brillenmesse” is the platform for some of the most beautiful brands in the market.”

Slav Nowosad will make his first appearance at a HOF event and present what he describes as his “atypical frames” (above Sun 5055/00)) Aesthetics, technology and design without limitation are Nowosad’s approach to unusual eyewear. Nowosad Designworks are designed and handmade in Poland. www.slavnowosad.com

 

Suzy Glam Breaks Rules in Nude Matt Acetate
Suzy Glam Breaks Rules in Nude Matt Acetate

Suzy Glam – Gold winner of the Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Award in 2013 will unveil beautiful new designs in Cologne. Suzy Glam Breaks Rules features curvaceous, elegant lines in nude matt acetate. www.suzyglam.com

 

Sahara by L.G.R. with a unique brushed surface on the frame front
Sahara by L.G.R. with a unique brushed surface on the frame front

L.G.R. from Italy will attend with their latest – and fabulous – designs including Sahara, with a distinctive brushed effect on the frame front, and superbly crafted mineral glass lenses. L.G.R. frames are handmade in Italy. www.lgrworld.com

 

Daydream by KBL in Tortoise and Turquoise Acetate
Daydream by KBL in Tortoise and Turquoise Acetate

KBL Eyewear in Germany is synonymous with youth, quality, and performance, and presenting for the first time at HOF.  The initials KBL stand for Kind of Bohemian LIfestyle, and the designs reflect a “bohème” nature – expressed in Italian acetate and Japanese titanium. www.kbleyewear.com For more information on HOF Köln visit www.diebrillenmesse.de JG

 

 

Rigards+Royal Selangor

History and Tradition with RIGARDS Collaboration

20th March 2015 Innovative RIGARDS has partnered with the world’s largest and most admired pewter maker – Royal Selangor – to create frames with unique individuality and character. Two noble materials – Horn and Pewter – are used to create a design that is beautiful and unique. Royal Selangor has been crafting pewter since 1885, and remains privately owned, with fourth-generation family members safeguarding time-honoured pewter practices. “We are delighted to work with this amazing company,” said designer Ti Kwa (above), “and create a frame that combines the best of Horn and Pewter.”

 

Rigards+Royal Selangor Horn+Pewter
Rigards+Royal Selangor Horn+Pewter

The rims of the frame front are meticulously hand-polished to a velvety finish, while the rest of the horn structure is rendered, by hand, in a contrasting matte texture. The side pieces feature an artful fusion of horn and pewter, with a hammered satin finish for the arm tips. An elegant custom-crafted leather case is embossed with Royal Selangor’s classic wave motif. An unusual, expressive design with history and spirit. www.rigards.com JG

Photo of Ti Kwa exclusively for Eyestylist by Gilles Stüssi All Rights Reserved

Designer Choices

Sven Götti and Daniel Benner

16th March 2015 How do eyewear designers make their choices when deciding what frames to wear? “Pieper is my personal favourite right now,” says Sven Götti at Götti Switzerland, (top photo) “because I like the strong statement of Pieper and the three-dimensional effect. As the frame is Titanium, it’s very light weight and easy to wear.” www.gotti.ch

 

Daniel Benner wears Cosmo Duo 16
Daniel Benner wears Cosmo Duo 16

“This is my favourite of the moment,” noted Daniel Benner of Benner Eyewear in Germany, “and it’s the ‘cosmo duo 16’ in polished gold and matte aqua. It has a vintage touch with the priority on the eyebrows. It’s one of the most liked styles from our collection – a shape for both men and women.” www.benner-eyewear.com JG

Photos: Exclusively for Eyestylist by Gilles Stüssi All Rights Reserved

Sensational Stripes!

Stripes: A Spring/Summer Delight

12th March 2015 In 1846, Queen Victoria most likely did not realise that she launched an historical fashion when she dressed her four-year-old son Prince Edward Albert in stripes. Two centuries later, stripes dominate the style scene this season. And not only in fashion – stripes are high on the style radar for eyewear and accessories. Swedish designer Anna-Karin Karlsson goes superbly nautical with her classy navy and white stripe sunglasses Rose et La Mer (above). www.annakarinkarlsson.com

 

Sunny in perky red/white stripes by Zoobug
Sunny in perky red/white stripes by Zoobug

Kids love stripes – and Zoobug’s adorable sunglasses in vibrant red and white stripes are ideal for youngsters. Sunny is equipped with polarized lenses for 100% UV protection – so important for young, vulnerable eyes. www.zoobug.com

 

Daydream Scarf by Alexia Parmigiani
Daydream Scarf by Alexia Parmigiani

Stripes also intrigue scarf designer Alexia Parmigiani, and her elegant black and white stripe design – Daydream – can be worn in many variations. Daydream is from the Spring/Summer 2015 “Dream Beyond the Lens” Alexia collection. Visit www.alexiafashion.co.uk for more luxurious scarves from the British designer.

 

Chic Black/White Stripes by Vuarnet
Chic Black/White Stripes by VuarnetxAmi

Stripy sunglasses are a highlight at Vuarnet in France, with a voluminous frame – Style VL1504 –  and stripes lining the inside of the glasses. The vibrant black/white motif exudes graphic chic. Vuarnet frames are handcrafted in France. www.vuarnet.com

 

 Subtle stripes by Pierre Eyewear
Subtle stripes by Pierre Eyewear

Pierre Eyewear creates stripes with subtlety of style in a sleek optical frame. Claudia RCO9 Matt mixes modern facets with vintage elegance. The result is a design with individuality and distinction. www.pierre-eyewear.com  With so many exciting variations available, this is definitely the time to wear stripes! JG

Christian Roth+Barton Perreira

An Optical Affair to Remember

9th March 2015 For thirty years, designers Christian Roth and Eric Domège have been creating eyewear excitement. Their latest venture is a capsule collaboration with California-based Barton Perreira – “The Affair.” “What connects Patty (Perreira), Bill (Barton) Eric and myself is a long time relationship and a mutual passion to create unique and exquisite eyewear with love. It came naturally to collaborate with Barton Perreira on a capsule collection revisiting one of our milestone designs,” said Roth.

 

The Affair - Black/Grey/Gold/Smolder CR+BP
The Affair – Black/Grey/Gold/Smolder CR+BP

The striking rimless frame is emboldened with a gold brow-bar that stretches from temple to temple. The colours are glorious – in the top photo: Rose and Rose Gold with Desert Lilac Gradient Mirrored lenses. In addition to the colours featured, elegant tones of Black, Amber and Tortoiseshell, and Champagne Gold are also available.

 

The Affair - Tortoise/Claret/Gold/Smokey Topaz CR+BP
The Affair – Tortoise/Claret/Gold/Smokey Topaz CR+BP

“The Affair” is a powerful style statement in a Limited Edition, with each frame numbered to ensure that this is an Affair to remember. www.christian-roth.com www.bartonperreira.com JG