We love sunglasses at Eyestylist, and this month we’re celebrating beautiful, glamorous and striking designs from international creators – click on REVIEWS. Travel with us to Venice and discover a chic BOUTIQUE, and London to meet the Designer of the Month; then to New York City for a memorable fashion exhibition. Click and stay with Eyestylist for the latest in stylish, independent label eyewear and accessories.
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L.G.R. – Sunglasses With History
Frames With Globe Trotting Credentials
30th May 2014 A passion for Africa and Luca Gnecchi Ruscone’s Roman heritage combine with dramatic effect in his seductive, glamorous sunglass designs. Elegant materials handcrafted in Italy bring further allure and beauty to the frames. (Pictured above: Designer Luca Gnecchi Ruscone.)
L.G.R. model Maria wears Alexandria CM in matt Havana acetate – a gracious, voluminous shape with sweeping temple interest. The green tempered mineral glass lenses complete the stylish harmony. www.lgr-sunglasses.com JG
Photos by Luca Santocono exclusively for Eyestylist. All rights reserved.
Adrina Deep Blue Sea
Leisure Society
Artisanal excellence illuminates the supremely elegant Adrina by Shane Baum. Named after a remote Greek beach, the wafer-thin aviator design features a gold plated titanium crossbar, and Japanese Windsor rim detail. Superb detailing includes intricate multi-dimensional laser etching applied to the titanium, and Japanese cotton-based acetate temples. Adrina Deep Blue Sea is plated in 12k or 18k gold, and the lenses are treated with trade marked Diamond Cast anti-scratch coating. Pure Luxury! www.leisure-society.com JG
Charles James: Beyond Fashion
Remembering an Iconic Designer
1st May 2014 The glamorous, elegant, sculptural designs by Charles James are the subject of a beautiful exhibition held in the newly renovated Tisch Gallery in the Anna Wintour Costume Center, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Complex cuts, extravagant draping, and luxurious materials were transposed into fabulous designs – magic that James performed with his imagination and scissors. James was born in Britain, and worked in Paris before arriving in New York in 1940, where he established permanent residence. His early clients included Diana Vreeland, iconic fashion editor, and society beauties Babe Paley and Millicent Rogers. In 1954, James married Nancy Lee Gregory, who frequently modeled his designs.
Charles James was the ultimate perfectionist, regarding each design as a work of art. Women responded to his dramatic seaming that enhanced the female form. James loved luxury, and his fabric choices were always sumptuous – silk velvets and chiffon, cotton organdy, creamy crepe, and fine wools. Charles James: Beyond Fashion is a fitting tribute to a designer who paved the way for many of America’s future couturiers. The exhibition runs from 8 May through 10 August 2014. www.metmusuem.org JG
Photos: Top: Charles James Ball Gowns 1948 Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by Cecil Beaton, Beaton/Vogue/Condé Nast Archive. Copyright Condé Nast
Babe Paley: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by John Rawlings, Rawlings/Vogue/Condé Nast Archive. Copyright Condé Nast
Nancy James: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by Cecil Beaton, The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s.
Prophilo
Boutique with Italian Charm and Style in Mestre Venice
1st May 2014 A special thank you to Gualtiero Coppe of Coppe+Sid for introducing Eyestylist to his lovely Venetian boutique. Prophilo Company began manufacturing optical frames and sunglasses in 1983, and the boutique opened a year ago – a family enterprise with Mario Di Bello and his wife Rossana, and their son Matteo. They chose Mestre as the location because Mario was born in Venice, and the family now lives on “the mainland”, just a few minutes from the centre of Venice. “What we wanted,” says Mario, “is that the shop had a new image and that people feel like they are at home when entering the boutique.”
The shop interior is cosy, and oozes charm, warmth and character. “The interior renovation was created by architect Marcadella Alessandra, but overall we worked together, including the furniture research,” explains Mario, “and the wall that appears to be a fresco (above) is a particular wallpaper from Wall & Deco Co., but it really does look like an old fresco.” Vintage carpets, wood accessories and a working fireplace add to the delightful ambience.
“We don’t have many tourists in our shop,” says Mario,”as most of our customers are local people who look for new brands, fashion and something trendy. Together with some products by Prophilo, we have Coppe & Sid, Moscot, Barton Perreira, Conservatoire de Lunettes, Jacques Durand, Claire Goldsmith, Derapage, Etnia Barcelona, Paul Frank, Volte Face, Italia Independent and Spektre. In our shop we look for exclusive brands which give us emotion. Each label has its own space; we do not mix brands together. The trend this season is round shapes in optical designs, mirrored sunglasses, and two-tone gradient lenses. When we present a new eyewear collection, we usually have an event inside and outside the shop with music and cocktails. It’s really beautiful to take time to be together for a break.” www.prophilo.com JG