Design + Inspiration

Zac Posen: Contemporary aesthetics

26th March 2019

Sensuous silhouettes, luxury materials, and impeccable tailoring define the glamorous evening dresses and chic daywear by Zac Posen. These finely-honed skills and high-caliber attributes are also creatively characterised in striking eyewear designs for men and women. The American designer is renowned for his contemporary, modern aesthetics that combine innovative shapes, quality materials, and signature details. Sunglasses are oversized, with slim lines; very lightweight; comfortable to wear; and adapt freely to city and seaside environments. Thiola (left above photo) is an alluring, exaggerated cat-eye shape; while the men’s frame – Roscoe – is casually and distinctively tailored.

Dinero (left) and Chaka from the Zac Posen optical collection

Posen’s optical designs are classically conceived with timeless elements that synchronise with fashionable attire for everyday wear, with subtly refined, yet impressive frame details. Explore www.kenmarkeyewear.com for additional noteworthy eyewear from Zac Posen. JG

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Design + Inspiration

Res/Rei: Artisan acetate

22nd March 2019

Italian Craftsmanship harmonises originality and creativity in Oliviero Zanon’s luminous acetate designs for Res/Rei. The versatility and colour possibilities of acetate delivers vibrant, rich expressions to individualistic eyewear designs for men and women. Frames inspired by art, history, music, and sculpture are accentuated in a diverse collection of sought-after styles. Art and sculpture are among Zanon’s passions, and his awareness of grand Italian sculptors – including Canova and Donatello, Rodin and Milo – are the inspiration for The Sculptures Collection. Frames are crafted to achieve a striking three-dimensional allure, as seen in Balla (above image). The chic Res/Rei ring from the jewellery collection is symmetry in motion – eye to hand fashion coordination with stunning frames and a matching mosaic ring.

Milo from The Sculptures Collection by Res/Rei

Milo, also from The Sculptures Collection, is elegantly refined with gently curved temples. Res/Rei frames are handmade in an atelier close to Venice, and infused with artisan diligence, skill and personalised attention to every detail.

Left: Azalea from The Flowers Collection; Right: Mai Tai from The Cocktails Collection by Res/Rei

Spring is here! And Res/Rei celebrates with their joyous Flowers Collection – combining acetates of different hues to achieve prominent colourations. Azalea (above left) is available in a gorgeous variety of spring flower tones that happily interplay on these decorative frames.The Cocktails Collection takes its cue from light, airy and delicious cocktail colours, interpreted in high-density Mazzucchelli acetate, which is then carved into slim silhouettes. Mai Tai (above right) is voluminous in shape, yet extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear. Explore the complete collection of Res/Rei by Oliviero Zanon at www.resrei.com JG

Design + Inspiration

Eco-conscious: Vinylize-Tipton x Nespresso

19th March 2019

As our attention as consumers is drawn increasingly to sustainable, eco-friendly innovations, eyewear companies across the business are exploring an eco-conscious path with creativity and resourcefulness.

Vinylize, the independent Budapest brand that turns old, unwanted vinyl records into beautifully made ‘upcycled’ artisan eyewear, has moved on its own potential in eco-friendly eyewear production in a special project with coffee giant Nespresso, in Hungary.

“This was a pilot project,” says Zack Tipton, founder of Vinylize. “The limited production run sold out within a few days. We used a material produced from Nespresso capsules, recycled by the coffee company in Hungary. The used coffee grinds are separated from the capsules and sent to composting. The capsules are then smelted and turned into aluminium sheet which we can then use to produce the frames. The entire process is documented and certified.”

Vinylize-Tipton x *Nespresso* – recycled frames made from coffee capsules

The result was an eye-catching limited edition glasses collection for Nespresso with designs inspired by the tones of the Nespresso Kazaar, Dharkan, Roma and Livanto capsules – in tones of satin midnight blue, gold and chocolate. “The coloration and finish were determined by Nespresso. They wanted a perfect match with the original colours of the capsules,” explains Tipton. “The durability we were able to achieve surpassed expectations. The frames were also prescription ready.”

Recycled frame for *Nespresso*: Oval – Livanto – in gold

The shapes produced in the first edition are inspired by the classic oval, butterfly and square designs, with a contemporary interpretation.

Vinylize-Tipton x Nespresso is ‘a salute to recycling’, designed to remind consumers of the infinite durability of aluminium which can be re-melted and reused, again and again. The project also aimed to further boost the recycling of Nespresso coffee capsules by showing the infinite potential of the recycled aluminium material.

The sophisticated matt finish of the frames is achieved through a tumbling process and hand-lacquering treatment at a German facility, while the eco-friendly felt case and paper box the frames were packaged in underscore the eco-credentials of the special edition. Further editions are planned for 2019.

Tipton Eyeworks and the Vinylize brand were founded in 2004, and have become world-renowned for their handmade production using vinyl to produce fashionable sunglasses and eyewear in Hungary. For further details: https://vinylize.com/ CN

Design + Inspiration

Von Arkel: Brilliant Swiss craftsmanship

15th March 2019

Every Von Arkel eyewear design epitomises elegance and luxury; created with precious and exclusive materials, and then meticulously finished by masterful artisans. Traditional spectacle guidelines harmonise with sleek, modern technology, culminating in beautiful and exquisite frames. The stunning Calibre 4 and Calibre 6 frames are unique expressions of refined sophistication, precise technical specifications, and an exemplary fusion of lightness, attention to detail, lasting durability, and incredible comfort. The latest frames include innovation and character from the Calibre 4 Outline Collection with stylish simplicity, as featured in the above silhouette in stainless steel with PVD coating, and slim double bridge.

The Calibre 6 Classic concept unites acetate and stainless steel in relaxed, casual frames with purity, and a streamlined structure.

Design + Inspiration

Plein les Mirettes: Diva delights from France

12th March 2019

The independent, artisan French brand Plein les Mirettes heralds spring with delightful new colourations for their stylish Diva designs. PLM Diva’s are distinctive, shapely silhouettes in glistening acetate, with unique colour combinations.

Shapley silhouettes in Plein-les-Mirettes Diva designs

Conventional tones, unexpected mixtures, Havana’s, pastels and mottled designs bring lively radiance to the chic frames. Cat-eye inspiration, cutout details, or layering ensure additional flair in each design that is individually handcrafted in PLM’s Normandy atelier. More exciting Diva’s and PLM designs at www.plein-les-mirettes.fr JG