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Alium S 1

Face à Face

The Alium S 1 is the latest addition in this line of pure lightweight aluminium designs by the French eyewear design company. Impressively, the new Alium styles are 25% thinner than previous designs and each one features miniature air vents at the temple – invisible when worn, but technically exciting as there is no soldering – this creates a flex hinge that’s strong and durable. The Alium frames come in fantastic eye-popping shades as well as more conservative tones with bright inner linings. A perfect balance of design tech and modern fashionable styling, and one of our highlights at the shows this year. www.faceaface-paris.com CN

Vera Wang

Vera Wang creations are the epitome of chic and contemporary fashion. The celebrated designer dresses an international clientele of sophisticated women who appreciate her understated styling in beautiful fabrics. Frames are also a passion for Vera Wang, and in an exclusive interview with Eyestylist, she shares her thoughts on fashion and eyewear.

“I’m always excited about eyewear – it can change the way you look; it’s like wearing a new cosmetic, and can change your whole mood. Eyewear is the biggest accessory, and eye protection is so valuable against sun levels. I’m into studying lens making and flat screen eyewear. It’s important to keep the quality going, and keep exploring lens construction.  I’m bursting with ideas and excitement and fascinated with eyewear. Temples can be mixed with various materials, or take lenses used for skiing and adapt to sunglasses. It’s challenging, and competitive, but always exciting.

 

Super Sunnies - Nolita by Vera Wang
Super Sunnies – Nolita by Vera Wang

“Eyewear has always interested me, and I’m a hands on designer – very much involved, and I bring passion to what I do, and study what is going on in the market. I design from my heart. I’ve seen so much change – it is a staggering new world.

Vera Wang Fall/Winter 2015 Collection
Vera Wang Fall/Winter 2015 Collection

“A woman can express herself creatively, while protecting her eyes. Glasses give you attitude, and they make you look totally different. I design in the context of what I feel as a designer – and perhaps as an artist. I’m fascinated by it all.

 

Elegant Optical Designs by Vera Wang
Elegant Optical Designs by Vera Wang

“The focus on eyewear in Los Angeles is so obvious. It comes from loving sports. The vocabulary of eyewear has changed. Eyewear is a form of self-expression, and I always encourage women to express themselves, and also offer options and alternatives.

Here Comes The Bride by Vera Wang
Here Comes The Bride by Vera Wang

“I’m intrigued with jewelled eyewear. Diana Vreeland and Carrie Donavan (both editors and style icons at Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar at different periods) were defined by their eyewear – they saw the potential and power of eyewear.” www.kenmarkoptical.com / www.verawang.com JG

Coterie

New opening in Chengdu, Southwest China

Coterie’s new store in Chengdu is its 10th to date. The independent chain champions top level collections, international independent designers and artisan labels, including Anna-Karin Karlsson, a-morir, Mykita and Thierry Lasry.

“In our Chengdu store,” explains David Leung, “we also launch Vava, Lapis and Coco & Breezy. We allocate certain brands exclusively to each location, depending on demographic and positioning in the area.” The store is in a newly opened shopping area – Taikoo Li, where Hermes, Givenchy, Chloe, Apple, and Maria Luisa have all opened flagships in recent months.”

“It seems to us that Chinese consumers are starting to move toward specialised designer eyewear labels. In general, we see more openness to quality design products than we did a few years ago when we first started,” explains Leung.

Interior, Coterie in Chengdu
Interior, Coterie in Chengdu

Asked about further expansion, Leung says while there is much interest abroad, Coterie plans to innovate in other ways, through new collaborations, a wider accessories offering and a unique shopping experience for consumers in China.

“We believe good quality, inspiring design, and value for money are always the criteria for consumers’ selections. Regarding trends, we have seen in the last year a particular interest in mirrored lenses, combination and oversized frames overall.” Find out more about Coterie at www.coterie.cn CN

Springtime!

…the season for new eyewear that is beautiful, desirable and finely crafted by independent designers. Click on REVIEWS for lovely examples. A seaside optician features in BOUTIQUES, and the Designer of the Month creates exceptional accessories. See CITY GUIDES for an exhibition that pays tribute to a revolutionary fashion designer. Eyestylist…where you find exciting, innovative eyewear by creative specialists.

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A sustainable story

Monkey Glasses

27th March 2015 Sustainable fashion trends are more prevalent than ever before and that is increasingly having an influence on accessory design. For frames, recycled materials, when used creatively, can produce interesting designs that are modern, comfortable, wearable – and well-priced.

Created by husband and wife team Mai-britt and optician Morten Seaton, Monkey Glasses from Denmark make frames from a biodegradable material that consists of 90% cotton fibres and wood mass. The result is wood-look frames, with precise attention to detail – model Betty (pictured above) is one of their most accomplished sunglass shapes in 2015. Surplus materials are recycled into accessories and jewellery, and every time a set of frames leaves the shelves the company donates a percentage to the ‘Save the Orangutan’ charity – www.savetheorangutan.org.

Monkey Glasses released its first collection of sustainable glasses in 2010 and now sells worldwide to selected stores and online at www.monkeyglasses.co.uk. CN