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Trend alert: fabric patterns

22nd May 2011

Kenzo Sunglasses

26th May 2011 As well as the colourful array of florals we have talked about, there are lots of other patterns and fabric inspired designs in eyewear this season. These range from the wonderful animal prints on offer to a variety of tartans, checks and pretty suedes (in some cases using real fabrics inside or covering the frame, I’ve seen suede at Alexander Wang and at the Vanni collection by the Italian company Nico Design, to name just two!). And here’s one more statement design by Kenzo using printed cotton in one of the great vintage shapes featuring a matching smokey blue lens. www.kenzo.com CN

100% Optical 28 FEB - 2 MAR 2026, Excel London

Boutiques

Ørgreen shop opens in Copenhagen

18th May 2011

Interior echoes styling of the brand

18th May 2011 Danish design company Ørgreen, known for its inventive eyewear designs featuring strong lines, trendy colours and Scandinavian creative passion, has opened its own flagship store in Copenhagen. The interior is sleek and minimal, with custom-made furniture, slim-lined fluorescent lighting and great attention to detail. The store has been designed to showcase the brand’s full collections, whilst adding in a few special ranges, from some of our favourite companies like Reiz, Blinde, Zuerihorn and ic! Berlin. One to put on your shopping agenda when visiting Copenhagen. CN

www.orgreen.dk

Arts & travel

Shopping for sunglasses

10th May 2011

Matches, UK

10th May I have been looking around for fashion stores offering an interesting selection of sunglass ranges this season. Like Liberty, Matches takes a serious interest in quality sunglass design, and many of their styles are also available on their website. For Spring/Summer 2011, the store has the following exclusive sunglass names: Illesteva, Thierry Lasry, Carerra, Prism, L.G.R., Very Vintage Sunglasses (the Marylebone and Ledbury Road branches have the widest selections). Matches also stock a selection of sunglasses by the following fashion brands: Balenciaga, Balmain, Diane Von Furstenberg, Alexander McQueen, Cacharel, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, 3.1 Phillip Lim, MaxMara, Bottega Veneta, and Tom Ford. To browse the selection online visit www.matchesfashion.com CN

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Rouge

1st May 2011

Sama Eyewear

Exclusive, luxurious, revolutionary and glamourous are just a few words to describe the Sama Eyewear Collection from California. We viewed the latest – and beautiful – collection at MIDO. Designer Shelia Vance combines classicism and modernity in her eyewear. Rouge is a fine example of style, grace, technology and quality fusing harmoniously and fashionably. Hand laminated Japanese plastic with three-dimensional laser-cutting, shapes the unique temple design. Mini turquoise Swarovski crystals twinkle on the sides, which are gently curved for an additional distinctive accent. The frames are available in Europe at Optik Wagner in Saint Moritz www.optik-wagner.ch and Les Plus belles lunettes du Monde in Paris. www. lesplusbelleslunettesdumonde.com Additional details at www.samaeyewear.net JG

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Robert Marc

1st May 2011

Inspiration from Palm Springs

Robert Marc has had his own brand since 1999 and is now a leading American eyewear designer with eight shops in New York and one in Boston. His designs are made by hand in France and Japan. No corners are cut when it comes to quality and detail. “As an independent designer, I do whatever it takes to get what I want for the frame and the brand, however painstaking or however long it takes to ensure the production is perfect.”

I have known Robert for a long time and I recently met with him at the Four Seasons in Milan to see the 2011 collection, which is inspired by the desert landscape and modernist architecture of Palm Springs. Robert explains, “On the occasions I have visited Palm Springs, I have always been struck by the linear architecture, the straight lines and surprising pops of colour; but also the nature around me, the plants, cacti and incredible smoke tree. It is an unusual place, with an energy that I wanted to evoke in this year’s collection.”

With a subtle approach to colour, Robert uses bright yet natural colour tones, as well as some of his favourite classics, including Havana and tortoise.

“Colour was always an important element of the architecture in Palm Springs, and in this collection I have used colour, both contrasting and complimentary, to bring out the graphic potential in the clean-lined design of the frames. I also layered temples with contrasting bright colours creating a vibrant energy that is in perfect tune with modernism.” In this collection, the women’s shapes are as Robert describes slightly “man-tailored” with subtle lines and a vintage flavour coming through, and of course occasionally an extremely feminine catseye or butterfly. For men, there is a reminder of Hollywood and the 1950s, with deep shapes such as those worn by Cary Grant, rounded designs with an intellectual air, and the ever popular classically defined aviator. All models sport the Robert Marc trademark hinge, which is instantly distinguishable as a mark of the brand, whilst serving its crucial role to provide ease-of-wear and absolute comfort at the temple. CN