Beautiful autumn tones highlight this optical frame by the acclaimed French brand – Face à Face. The inspiration for the design is Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, whose work is well known for juxtaposing colour surfaces, and the concept is effectively transposed to eyewear in this lovely design. Art and graphics unite in the thin metal shape, which is accented with a smooth matt finish. www.faceaface-paris.com JG
1st September 2013 It’s indispensable – the backbone of the stylish woman’s wardrobe. And now the Little Black Dress (LBD) merits its own celebration. The Mona Bismarck American Center for Art and Culture in Paris is the venue for a delightful exhibition of statement Little Black Dresses by international designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and others. Presented by the Museum of Art at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the curator of the show is the peripatetic style maven and VOGUE Contributing Editor André Léon Talley. “The exhibition highlights the strength of individualism,” says Talley, and he also praises the Little Black Dress for its versatility, glamour and grace.
With so many delectable LBD’s on display, it’s easy to understand the allure of this contemporary phenomenon. A must see! Until 22 September 2013. www.monabismarck.org JG
Photos: Top photo: Marc Jacobs silk dress Autumn 2012 Photo credit: courtesy of Rachel Feinstein, New York. Photo credit Oscar de la Renta: Savannah College of Art and Design
1st September 2013 Kilsgaard Eyewear is the Danish eyewear label that has become famous for its expertise in fine, lightweight aluminium. As designer and founder, 34-year-old Jacob Kilsgaard himself says, “We are the company that made aluminium work as a frame material. Aluminium is half the weight of titanium, and it’s the only material you can colour anodize.” “Anodization”, he explains, “is an electrochemical way to colour aluminium. The colours are everlasting and very unique, they are deep and bright and very modern.” It’s an achievement and specialisation that has set the brand apart and set it on an exciting road to success. The Kilsgaard team now have offices in Copenhagen and Aarhus in Denmark, and their frames are available across the world in 35 countries. “Our main office in Aarhus in an old building in the Latin quarter. It is a cozy space where everybody feels at home. The design team and partners Bonnelycke MDD are four blocks away. They are our external designers, but we work closely with them, as we have done from day 1; we are friends and this is a joint project that has become very strong.”
Launched in 2008, Kilsgaard has grown steadily in Europe. In the US, Jacob works with good friend Shane Baum of Baum Vision. ” We launched in North America two years ago and we have a growing business there. It is a privilege to work with friends and Shane and I are best buddies as well as business associates.” In design, Kilsgaard manages to bring vitality to metal frames, and an individuality that is exciting. “We have found a corner of the business where we – as we see it – are on our own. We try to use some of the same elements as the fashion industry – especially the Danish fashion industry.” The Danish design roots are important, but Jacob explains this in his own way. “I find my inspiration in Denmark’s design heritage – solid materials, minimal design, and caring for the function intended for the product, comfort and every day use. Many of the Danish designers set out to create comfortable furniture that looked great, in that order. The basics need to be in place. This is our starting point as well.” Eyestylist asked Jacob to reveal something about the new collections coming up. “We have six new shapes and one new colour being added to the existing range. Our new temple concept employs a new material that we haven’t used before – titanium. It is really something to talk about!”
Outside work, Kilsgaard spends time with his daughter, new girlfriend and family…and he loves to cook. “I had a catering company while I was “studying” in Aarhus many years ago. My love of cooking didn’t go away. I cook everyday with Smilla, my four year old daughter, and try to pass on my passion for great food and the importance of high-quality ingredients – I like to show her that good food can bring people together on many levels. To me, cooking and dining with people is a very private special thing. If I cook you dinner, you’re in…I love skiing, good wine and change. I guess my working life has made me somewhat impatient. I don’t get bored easily but I enjoy change from the daily routine. It keeps me going.” CN
29th August 2013 Lesca Lunetier was one of the brands I remember from early visits to the fashion frame exhibition in Paris. What a delightful surprise to see Joël Lesca again, and discover that his talented son Mathieu is now involved in the business. On a recent Paris visit, Clodagh and I were enamoured to have the opportunity to look at scores of gorgeous vintage designs from Lesca including frames designed by Joël. The feel of the acetate is wonderful – so smooth and rich. The beauties above are from the 1950’s that have been lovingly refurbished in the Lesca workshop.
Frame P9 (above) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year – Joël Lesca created this design in France in 1983. Fabricated in finest quality cellulose acetate, the frame shape captures vintage elements in classic tortoiseshell. www.lescalunetier.com JG
Photography (top image) by Eyestylist.com.
20th August 2013 Best of Britannia is coming up again in October and will take place at the Farmiloe building in London’s Clerkenwell. The exhibition showcases a special mix of quality British brands – established and emerging – encompassing an interesting range of industries and sectors, including interiors, furniture, lighting, food, sports, accessories, automotives… and eyewear too. Founder and Creator Antony Wallis explains: “It is a very exciting time to be a British designer and manufacturer – the London 2012 Olympics, the Golden Jubilee, and now with the arrival of Prince George, brand Britain is experiencing a major boom. At Best of Britannia, we have curated a collection of British brands that have authenticity, a strong British heritage and provenance, all under one roof. Visitors are in for a real treat.”
Among the fashion exhibitors we are looking forward to seeing are the accessories label, Age of Reason (https://www.eyestylist.com/2013/07/a-favourite-new-season-accessory/) and the British eyewear brand FAN Optics (www.fanoptics.co.uk), who recently launched a Limited Edition Sunglasses Collection – The Nine Worthies. Read more about it here: https://www.eyestylist.com/2013/06/summer-stories/.
Best of Britannia 2013, the Farmiloe Building, Clerkenwell, London – 3rd to 5th October 2013. To book a stand or attend as a visitor find out more here: www.bestofbritannia.com CN