Design & Inspiration

Nonconformist: frame du jour by RIGARDS

Expressive, charismatic eyewear is symbolic with Ti Kwa designs. The latest imaginative creation is RIGARDS RG2020. Strong, yet extremely light, the shield construction features a mirror coating, with sleek temples made of beta-titanium. Other distinguishing features include a zero-curve, ultra-thin visor lens fabricated from a single piece of polyamide.

Innovative and cool sophistication: RIGARDS2020

The ultimate, powerful identity is the hand-carved solid horn top bar. Ti Kwa often references history in his designs, and the carved horn represents the infinity symbol. It is also an allusion to the supremely elegant flying buttresses in Gothic architecture. The final pièce de resistance is adjustable half-moon shaped horn nose pads for superior fit and comfort. Ti dedicates this design to devotees of all things bold and bodacious. www.rigards.com JG

 

JISCO
GIGI STUDIOS
Article One
Orgreen
LEINZ
BLACKFIN
DIFFUSER Tokyo
SALT.

 

Opti ’17: a look to the future

Cold temperatures, intense morning fog and a snowy outlook, but whatever the weather, Germany’s Opti fair is always a fresh and friendly start to the eyewear year. A strong mix of technical companies alongside a roster of international eyewear designers and rule-breaking start-ups ensures there is always plenty of innovation and more than a hint of the creative trends on the horizon.

Above: Inspirational eyewear designers – Vue dc Founder, Chris Mascré and Yolande De Clercq, showing chic acetate eyewear designs (below), made in France – www.vuedc.comPhoto by Elisa Biscotti for Eyestylist.com / www.elisabiscotti.de

Intensely chic: KOT by Vue dc in monochrome tones – photo by Elisa Biscotti

This year saw new and innovative collection launches from Gotti Switzerland (Rimless Collection), Monoqool Denmark (new Slider Series), Yuniku (vision-centric 3d tailored eyewear by Hoya) and Vava from Berlin (Aluminium Series), among other new releases.

Vava Eyewear: Aluminium Series, introduced at Opti

Vava’s new concept of very light designs in aluminium prioritises highly developed physical and mechanical properties – made in Italy, the frames are created using cutting-edge industrial milling techniques. www.vavaeyewear.com

Orgreen
TVR True Vintage Revival
GIGI STUDIOS
VAVA Eyewear
LEINZ
OGI Eyewear
Article One
Falvin Eyewear – model Moonlight / Black Crystal Collection

At Falvin Eyewear, A Danish-born brand, the combination of technical precision with luxury has achieved excellent success with optical boutiques and the brand concept evolves with new precious platings of Palladium and 24 carat gold. www.falvineyewear.com

Aris Rubio with Alex Carrasco – LOOL Eyewear from Barcelona – photo by Elisa Biscotti

LOOL Eyewear won the first ever Blogger Spectacle Award, part of a new enterprising Opti initiative that puts emerging labels under the spotlight, by introducing them to an audience of fashion and eyewear bloggers who then cast a vote for their favourite concept. LOOL, a start-up from Barcelona by Aris Rubio, co-founder and Alex Carrasco, marketing director, has achieved immediate recognition from the optical and fashion industries for its design excellence and innovative patented hinge system. www.looleyewear.com

The Grid / Surface – by LOOL Eyewear – photo by Elisa Biscotti

Opti 2018 takes place on 12th to 14th January next year. More releases from the Opti fair will appear on Eyestylist.com in the weeks ahead. For further information on the programme of events, visit: www.opti.de CN

Get Ready for London

London’s 100% Optical Fair opens its doors this coming weekend, with an extensive choice of international eyewear on display for British optical professionals. Independent labels will feature across the fair, and include luxury and artisan collections that have become leaders in their field of expertise.

Gotti’s success in the UK is built on a reputation for Swiss design married with Japanese production excellence. Their selection of frames now encompasses horn, acetate, titanium, a state-of-the-art 3d printed range – showing for the first time in London, and brand new screwless rimless eyewear. For more details: www.gotti.ch

Photo above: fashion blogger Oliver Lips wears the eye-catching model Ellis by Gotti Switzerland.

Monastir by L.G.R

100% Optical offers a special opportunity to see the latest luxury frames by Italian designer Luca Gnecchi Ruscone. L.G.R’s dedication to old-school artisan techniques is highlighted in optical frames and sunglasses such as the eloquent Monastir, a supremely lightweight frame with round eye shape and textured metal nose bridge. The metal work is extremely accomplished and unique. www.lgrworld.com

Burkhart by SALT. Optics

Returning to 100% this month, Salt. Optics, from California brings a wide selection of new designs to the fair, including model Burkhart (pictured in matte mauve mist) fitted with Polarized CR39 lenses. The Burkhart’s 80’s inspired silhouette adds a new aesthetic of simplicity in functional styling with very narrow beta-titanium temples combined with the brand’s super smart acetate in natural colorations – comfort and style wrapped up in one statement piece. www.saltoptics.com

Akira by Vera Wang / Kenmark

Akira from Vera Wang is one of the luxe styles in the elegant collection produced by Kenmark Optical, exhibiting for the first time at 100% Optical. US company Kenmark also produce collections with Zac Posen and Original Penguin, and show an impressive design direction as well as impeccable focus on minute design details.

The pairing of acetate with metal in model Akira has a gentle subtly. Swarovski crystals are inlaid at the top and bottom of the temple for a touch of sparkle. Colours available include noir, black cherry tortoise and walnut tortoise. For more information: www.kenmarkoptical.com / 10o% Optical takes place at ExCel from 4th to 6th February 2017 in London. More information: www.100optical.com CN

OPTI-Munich keynote: Eyewear variations

Variety’s the very spice of life. That gives it all its flavour William Cowper

The English poet chronicled 18th Century daily life in the countryside, with all its magnificent diversifications. Three centuries later, variety is the mainstream of living and culture. Eyewear enthusiasts can partake in a medley of amazing optic alternatives this weekend (28-30 January) at OPTI-Munich. International designers and labels will present their latest collections in optical designs and sunglasses. Featured here is a selection of the imaginative and inspiring eyewear that will be on display. Monoqool  from Denmark (Koncert above) will debut their new SLIDER series with 3D printing. www.monoqool.com

Lovingly handcrafted designs by Christian Mascré for Vue dc feature sleek silhouettes in acetate. www.vuedc.fr

Artist Beni Bischof wear AMOS from Götti DIMENSION

Götti Dimension highlights superbly elegant 3D printed frames, and sporty models with the patented “spin & stow” temples. www.gotti.ch

Suzy Glam Smokes Cigars by Susanne Klemm

Suzy Glam Smokes Cigars in the colour Pipe is a new men’s design that radiates luxurious detailing and finish. www.suzyglam.com

Shasta by l.a. Eyeworks

Shasta shines with vivacious shaping and dynamic colourations in an optical design by l.a. Eyeworks. www.laeworks.com

Eva from TARIAN + Collection

Jérémy Tarian presents his collaborative design in association with his workshop at HEAD Géneve (Geneva University of Art and Design Switzerland). Eva Gaumé’s winning design is now part of the Tarian + Collection. www.jeremytarian.com

Lillum from the KOALI Collection Morel France

Nature’s beauty and bounty inspired the streamlined designs in the Koali collection by Morel France. www.morel-france.com

Cinque from Soupcan Acetate Collection by TAVAT

The new collection by Tavat – “Soupcan Acetate” – includes supremely light designs with striking colourations. www.tavat-eyewear.com

Come explore these innovative brands – both established and new – and discover and experience the many exciting aspects of eyewear at OPTI-Munich this weekend. www.opti.de JG

Instant refresh: VON-IKKE accessories

Handmade eyewear chains add an extra enhancement to specialist frames, and new labels are popping up with innovative ideas balancing practicality and eye-catching design. VON-IKKE eyewear cords are handmade in Mainz, Germany by Elisa Biscotti and Mario von Wantoch-Rekowski. Discreet quality details such as nickel-free eyelets and loops coordinate with the colours of the cords, and all the designs are made in Germany in their entirety.

VON-IKKE chain, Germany
VON-IKKE chain, Germany

Colours include bold brights such as orange, violet or coral, and multicoloured versions of which our favourites are the two-tone blue with multicoloured patterning entwined in the cord.

Götti Switzerland
SILMO Paris 20-23 SEPT 2024
TVR True Vintage Revival
JISCO
SALT.
LEINZ
Hangar by VON-IKKE

Having caught on quickly with opticians in Germany in the year since they created the start-up, the label is also producing a new Hangar necklace, which acts both as a frame chain and elegant piece of wearable art. Stockists include Vogel Optik in St Moritz (www.vogel-optik.ch) and Coblens Augenoptik (www.coblens-augenoptik.de) and For more information about VON-IKKE chains and their unique Hangar necklace, visit http://vonikke.de/ CN  – Photography by Elisa Biscottiwww.elisabiscotti.de