Design & Inspiration

FLEYE: Inspirational, imaginative, iconic!

FLEYE has launched their stunning new campaign for 2016/2017 that celebrates the Danish label with pure aesthetics and timeless simplicity. The extraordinary natural beauty of the La Muralla Roja location – which means “The Red Wall” – not only captures Nature’s ageless landscape – but clearly captivates the new designs and artistic direction of FLEYE’s imaginative collection. Photographer Silvia Conde embraces the amazing lighting and moods of La Muralla Roja – rising from the rocky cliffs of Calpe, nestled in the Alicante region of Spain. This tranquil setting is the ideal canvas to introduce FLEYE’s elegant frame silhouettes that effectively combine a triad of nature, inspiration and creative design.

In the top image (left to right) the Dorius frame unites a unique material mix of carbon and wood in a stylish creation with a distinctive appearance. Kani reinvents the aviator with a chic brow bar in high-density acetate for a slim, lightweight and minimalistic look. A frame with immense character is Emmet, constructed with 23 layers of paper-thin carbon fibre and a slim wood layer. With timeless sophistication and an edgy note, the angular shape of Arden is a trio of beta-titanium, carbon fibre and wood.

ERKERS
JISCO
Res Rei
BLACKFIN
OGI Eyewear
Loft. New York. March 14-17
Look
LEINZ
Dicte from the FLEYE collection
Dicte from the FLEYE collection

Dicte is a luxuriously crafted beta-titanium design for women in smooth matt black, and a special touch with green marble acetate end-tips, plus a slightly curved top that accentuates the eyebrows. FLEYE designs are adventurous, innovative, ultra-light, comfortable, well-fitted and graciously refined. More beautiful discoveries at www.fleye.dk JG

New innovators: Falvin Eyewear

Intriguing design by a former jewellery designer, Birgitte Falvin’s new collection for 2017 is presented in exceptional imagery with Danish model Anna Edelfors.

The campaign includes the new Skycrystal Shades (part of the Black Crystal Collection for 2017) in lightweight titanium, a bold, luxurious concept that highlights the designer’s ingenious approach to eyewear. The beautiful, minimal titanium frame, pictured (below) with an elegant architectural shape, typical of Birgitte’s unique style, is complemented by lenses which add to the overall aesthetic: clever facet-cut details along the top edge, and, in some designs, cut-outs in the lenses – precision cut using an old-fashioned artisan technique only achievable by hand. The matte black surface is complemented by exquisite detailing in 24-carat gold.

Falvin Eyewear, Denmark
Falvin Eyewear, Denmark

Falvin Eyewear’s choice of luxury materials – including Japanese titanium, diamonds, 24 carat gold and platinum – is very carefully approached. While comfort and ease of wear is well considered, the clean yet paired-back aesthetics and attention to detail are typical of a strong Danish design ethos which has an immediate draw for the wearer.

Götti Switzerland
Loft. New York. March 14-17
SALT.
GIGI STUDIOS
JISCO
100% Optical London 24 to 26 February 2024 at Excel London - register for free
DIFFUSER Tokyo
ERKERS
Skycrystal by Falvin Eyewear
Skycrystal by Falvin Eyewear, with facet-cut lenses

Colours are harmonious and natural, selected to work seamlessly with clothing and skin tones, for men and women. “The palette is inspired by colours meeting the surface of the Royal Black Diamond Library,” explains the designer, “when the sunlight plays on it, creating special effects.”

The Black Crystal Collection includes 10 different shapes, which can be customised with diamonds and/or sun lenses. A choice of surfaces in rose gold, palladium and 24 carat gold are proposed in combination with a colour palette of black, brown, grey, blue, aubergine, or white. The customised handcrafted diamond setting is made with black, champagne, and white/transparent Wesselton diamonds. For more information, visit www.falvineyewear.com CN

Orbis + Zoobug bring help & hope to little girl

A heart warming collaboration between Orbis – the worldwide sight saving programme – and ZOOBUG children’s eyewear – has brought sight and hope to a little girl in China. Xiu Ling, who is nine years old, was diagnosed at He University Eye Hospital with the rare condition Double Levator Palsy. The treatment took place on board Orbis’ new Flying Eye Hospital. The Orbis programme includes post-operative assessment, and Xiu was presented with ZOOBUG sunglasses to ensure correct protection and comfort for her eyes following treatment. Photo: Xiu Ling wearing her ZOOBUG sunglasses.

Xiu Ling on the Flying Eye Hospital
Xiu Ling on the Flying Eye Hospital

“ZOOBUG has been donating glasses and sunglasses to Orbis since 2014,” says Dr Julie Diem Le, ZOOBUG Director and an eye surgeon, “and we are always grateful to know that our glasses and sunglasses are reaching children who have undergone surgery, and need access to quality eyewear. In the first days and months after an operation, it is essential that their eyes are properly cared for and protected as they recover.”

Xiu Ling descending the FlyingEye Hospital with her mother and Orbis staff member
Xiu Ling descending the Flying Eye Hospital with her mother and Orbis staff member.

Dr Le continued: “Orbis and their work via the Flying Eye Hospital offers a remarkable opportunity to transform children’s lives in the treatment and prevention of eye disease and avoidable blindness. We are committed to that cause in our endeavours to raise awareness of the importance of children’s eye health.” Award winning ZOOBUG optical and sunglass designs are crafted from fine quality materials and customised elements, to insure perfect fit and comfort for youngsters. www.zoobug.com JG

TVR True Vintage Revival
LEINZ
ROLF Spectacles
GIGI STUDIOS
SALT.
Götti Switzerland

 

 

New and novel

The latest collections reveal that designer’s creativity is flourishing, as eyewear styles reach new heights of beauty, craftsmanship, and innovation. Superb materials in unique colourations, and unexpected details add to the charm of expressive eyewear. Elegant new designs from FLEYE in Denmark include Dorius in Indigo Blue (above) with its contemporary shape and excellent fit. Wood, raw carbon fibre (23 paper thin layers) and beta-titanium combine to create this sleek, chic frame. Discover more Scandinavian eyewear flair at www.fleye.dk Photo: Silvia Conde

Gemini in handcrafted horn by MONOCEROS
Gemini in handcrafted horn by MONOCEROS

Making a debut this season is a stunning new collection – MONOCEROS. Gemini is handcrafted from a single piece of eco-friendly buffalo horn. The material is very light, warm and pleasing to the skin. Refined and timeless, and a new dimension in horn excellence. www.monoceros.cc

Luxurious style: The Claw and The Pearl by Anna-Karin Karlsson
Luxurious style: The Claw and The Pearl by Anna-Karin Karlsson

Anna-Karin Karlsson’s romantic and sophisticated The Claw and The Pearl sunglasses unites metal plated in 24K white gold – with beautiful Tahitian black pearls.  Visit www.annakarinkarlsson.com for more exciting, innovative eyewear from the Swedish designer’s latest collection.

JISCO
GIGI STUDIOS
Look
SALT.
DIFFUSER Tokyo
Article One
TVR True Vintage Revival
Contemporary chic, vintage heritage: Lucio by Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei
Contemporary chic, vintage heritage: Lucio by Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei

Vintage acetate highlights Oliviero Zanon’s Lucio sunglasses with a chic round shape. The Res/Rei design is superbly handcrafted in Italy in black, white and crystal. Explore more Res/Rei styles at www.resrei.com

New additions to Kirk & Kirk's animal kingdom: Alligator handcrafted pin on Vivarium frames
New additions to Kirk & Kirk’s animal kingdom: Alligator handcrafted pin on Vivarium frames

The alluring Vivarium range from Kirk & Kirk introduces two new members to their animal kingdom motifs – the alligator (above) and the cobra. The distinctive pins that adorn the acrylic designs are handmade in England. See more of Kirk & Kirk’s colourful eyewear selections at www.kirkandkirk.com JG

Dubai, for eyewear!

Dubai’s warmth and year-round sunshine provide the ideal setting for an optical fair serving the Middle East and Africa, which attracts around 4000 buyers from 70 countries each year. The show takes place at Dubai’s prestigious World Trade Centre, the UAE’s leading event venue.

The Vision-X fair in October this year (the 17th edition) attracted big-name brands and a handful of independent eyewear exhibitors including Ross & Brown (stocked by Harvey Nichols – http://www.harveynichols.com/brand/ross—brown/), Tomato Glasses for children, INVU, Swiss label Einstoffen and Parisian-based designer, Dzmitry Samal.

006 by Dzmitry Samal
006 by Dzmitry Samal – a highlight at Vision-X

The fair also hosts a German Pavilion annually with 11 exhibitors representing different optical categories including fashion frames. For further information visit www.vision-x.ae.

MOREL
VAVA Eyewear
SALT.
JISCO
BLACKFIN
ERKERS
LAMARCA EYEWEAR
100% Optical London 24 to 26 February 2024 at Excel London - register for free

During the trip, Eyestylist also visited the impressive Dubai Mall – “the world’s largest mall by area”, where numerous optical stores include Magrabi (adult store plus a dedicated kids eyewear store), Occhiali, Solaris, Vista Vision and sports eyewear specialists, Optysport.

Anna-Karin Karlsson, one of the prestigious eyewear brands at The Eye Boutique, Dubai Mall
Anna-Karin Karlsson, one of the sought-after luxury eyewear brands at The Eye Boutique, Dubai Mall

The highlight of the trip was a visit to the exceptional Eye Boutique, directed by eyewear expert, Sanaz Saadat, and part of the historic Hassan’s Optical Company. The Eye Boutique – one of two stores in Dubai (two more will shortly open), offers an unrivalled mix of luxury, experimental and designer eyewear – including LGR, ic! berlin, Anna-Karin Karlsson and Dita and some of the most beautiful rare vintage frames we have seen, preserved from Hassan’s stocks from the past in Kuwait. For more information: www.eyeboutiqueme.com CN