Design + Inspiration

Luxury, style and innovation at OPTI

19th December 2017

The Munich eyewear show offers an exciting platform for international designers and brands to present their luxury collections. Anticipation is mounting for the 2018 event, as a start-studded roster of creators will present their latest collections. The beautiful designs of African inspired, Italian crafted frames from L.G.R includes the elegant CECILE (Top image). Finest quality acetate is silhouetted into superb, modern and feminine sunglasses with tempered mineral lenses that offer 100%UV protection, plus they are anti-scrach and impact resistant. The complete L.G.R collection of optical and sunglass designs will be shown at OPTI. www.lgrworld.com

Eyeglass cases that are stylish, chic and easy to pop into a handbag are the speciality of ANY DI, the Munich based designer of unusually sleek cases and bags. The Sun Covers are made from genuine leather, and the interiors are lined in a Microfiber material that is soft and pliant. Case interiors are padded as well, so lenses are protected from dust and scratches. Greige Nubuck is especially smart lined with bright orange. The efficient Sun Covers also have a strap that can be linked to your handbag or belt-loop. Discover more of ANY DI’s super Sun Covers in solid and print leathers at www.any-di.com and at OPTI-Munich.

Milano Centrale by theo Belgium from the Train Stations Collection

Train Stations elicit romantic aspirations – particularly with the new interest in the splendid Venice Simplon-Orient Express. Right on cue, theo in Belgium has launched the Train Stations Collection. Curvaceous, streamlined and cosmopolitan, MILANO CENTRALE in black and apple green exudes adventure and wanderlust. At OPTI, theo will present the full range of their adventureous collections. www.theo.be

Lafont sunglasses are plentiful in character, design definition, imagination and colours. BROOKLYN from their latest collection reflects the diversity of the New York borough and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Acetate and metal meet in a perfectly round shape in sophisticated tortoiseshell, with a distinctive double-bridge. www.lafont.com

SILMO Paris - The Optical Fair. 25th - 28th September 2026

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

What could be more Parisian than an aromatic French coffee in the historic and aristocratic Marais district? The pre-revolutionary streets are bustling with art galleries, tempting “boulangerie” (bread and bakery shops) hotels, museums and trendy shops. MARAIS by KBL Eyewear in sleek burgundy acetate with a double-bridge is artistic, relaxed, and fun – just like the Marais neighbourhood! KBL launches a new website at www.kbleyewear.eu in conjunction with the opening date of OPTI. Details for OPTI-Munich 12th-14th January 2018 at www.opti.de JG

Design + Inspiration

Luxury & Fantasy: Holiday flair

15th December 2017

‘Tis the season for dreams, winter wonderland pleasures, indulgences and luxury touches. Bask in the glow of your dreams with unique eyewear that steps up to the occasion with dynamic designs to brighten holiday events, plus add stylish flair to festive fashion. Fantasy and living your dreams is an important part of Swedish designer Anna-Karin Karlsson’s fashion and eyewear philosophy. The exotic “Panthress” (top image) shimmers with hundreds of Swarovski crystals embedded on 24K plated White Gold. The luminous eyes on the seductive feline are genuine emeralds. “I want my designs to live a beautiful, romantic life,” says Anna-Karin. The “Panthress” exudes both beauty and romance! Anna-Karin Karlsson is a luxury premium eyewear label with an exquisite range of optical and sunglass designs. The Swedish label is found in prestige international eyewear boutiques, concept shops, plus Harrod’s in London, and Neiman Marcus in America. www.annakarinkarlsson.com

Architecture is an influential source for eyewear creators, and the renowned Empire State Building in New York City inspired Thomas Lafont. The stunning, distinctive frame – a Limited Edition – effectively captures the ethereal mood of the Art Deco structure, with an expansive frame front in tri-colouration. The frame is expertly crafted in France, and destined to be a collector’s item, with its sense of history and contemporary edge. For over ninety years, Lafont Paris has been creating superbly crafted eyewear for men, women and children. The family owned company has four charming boutiques in Paris. Visit www.lafont.com for more details.

Another architectural beauty expresses itself in “Fixon” by Boz Eyewear. “Fixon” reflects the amazing Pyramid at the Louvre in Paris – a landmark in the city. The frame design is constructed from a single sheet of metal; the round eye shape and finishes in either chrome or Black Galaxy gives the design a thoroughly modern look, and very futuristic. Boz Eyewear part of the J.F. Rey label, a French brand created by Jean-François Rey over thirty years ago in Marseille. With their Mediterranean location, the brand is noted for its beautiful colours and unusual shapes. www.instagam.com/myjfrey

The legendary cat eye shape is a forever favourite in eyewear. Plein les Mirettes bring a sleek contemporary flavour to the silhouette in Hybrid II, in multi-layered acetate that is made specifically for Plein les Mirettes by Mazzucchelli in Italy. The exaggerated shape features flowing curves, and a nose bridge in galvanised stainless steel. Plein les Mirettes designs are handcrafted in France in a Normandy atelier, created by Christophe Morcamp and Pascal Guidice. The individualistic designs by the French label celebrate their 5th anniversary in 2018. www.plein-les-mirettes.fr JG

Design + Inspiration

Tortoiseshell: traditions and trends

9th December 2017

Tortoiseshell spectacles effortlessly span the realm of tradition and fashion. Eyeglasses in tortoiseshell are noted as scholarly, intellectual and vintage, whilst also enjoying power being trendy and chic. Since the 17th century, tortoiseshell glasses have captivated wearers – first in original tortoiseshell; nowadays, with endless technology, there are varied tortoiseshell patterns, as well as marbled and multi-coloured. Designers love the opportunities of working with tortoiseshell patterns – here are several frames that catapult tortoiseshell to new fashion summits. Tortoiseshell is a favourite of Oliviero Zanon at Res/Rei (top image). Handcrafted excellence is evident in Epicuro from the Philosophers Collection that combines transparent acetate with Havana tortoiseshell. The distinguished shape features trapezoidal lenses combined with a unique nose bridge. Visit www.resrei.com for individualistic frame creations from the Italian brand symbolic with excellent taste, traditions and trends.

Lafont Paris has beautiful tortoiseshell variations wafting through the collections – with designs ingeniously created for men, women and children. Included in the latest collection is Beaudelaire, named after Charles Beaudelaire, the compelling 19th century French poet, art critic and essayist. If Beaudelaire were here today, he might enjoy wearing this style, with its pure, uncluttered shape, elegant colourations, and distinctive nose bridge. Discover more Lafont designs at www.lafont.com

KoKo by Oliver Goldsmith has a charming history. The frame was named after a California gorilla that was able to learn and use sign language. The powerful features of the frame express a gorilla’s strength and robustness. The design is from the OG Icons Collection – a desired, best-selling design for over forty years. The voluminous shape in tortoiseshell acetate is an enduring classic from the iconic British brand. www.olivergoldsmith.com

Orgreen Optics excels in contemporary minimalistic aesthetics. The Danish label modernises tortoiseshell by combining with titanium steel, Orgreen’s distinctively lightweight trademark. The super slim, linear frame Rain is a thoroughly sleek rendition of classical, much loved tortoiseshell. www.orgreenoptics.com JG

Design + Inspiration

Munich fair: Opti excitement!

1st December 2017

The international optics and eyewear design trade show Opti – which takes place at the Fairground Messe München – is preparing for its 2018 edition from 12th to 14th January in Germany. The event attracts creative designers, optical entrepreneurs, business and fashion experts and continues to grow its position as a leading event for the optical industry across Europe, and a meeting place for designers, innovators and creatives. Above: Falvin Eyewear from Denmark: an independent label that first exhibited at Opti in 2016 in the HOT area, designed for newcomers. Today Falvin exhibits with international eyewear companies in Hall C1 – www.falvineyewear.com

The fair attracts companies and designers of many nationalities, and highlights Europe’s independent creative eyewear segment.

Jean-François Rey has exhibited in Munich since the fair first launched there. For this edition, the French brand promises many brand new releases across its collections, including new concepts ‘Double Jeu’ and ‘Fender’; the company also told Eyestylist they will launch an ultralight metal collection called SOHO and a new wood carbon concept for Jean-François Rey. A highlight is the designer’s iconic styles from the 80s in the line called “1985”. Since its release two years ago, the collection continues to grow with models like Stanford (above) – designed as a faithful replica of the original frame with a few subtle modifications for a slightly contemporary edge. www.jfrey.fr

L.G.R. has achieved extremely high levels of quality and uniqueness in the artisan production of their eyewear which has become synonymous with innovation and creativity.

Model Addis, an ophthalmic D-frame, is a perfect example of their ability to produce impeccably crafted glasses with a nod to classic shapes of the past. L.G.R’s 2018 designs -including frames highlighted in the latest campaign – will be on show in Germany, where the brand has already gained a strong following from the luxury independent boutiques. www.lgrworld.com

Danish design company Ørgreen has had a succession of new launches in 2017, and the momentum for this continues. They recently announced a new line in lightweight titanium steel, with focus on the classic tortoise patterning. The colour is applied to the Japanese titanium frame by hand, meaning that every pair of their tortoise frames will be slightly different. Offered in six of Ørgreen’s most recent styles (Columbus, Vitus, Lemon, Vasco, Snow, and Rain), this selection for both men and women adds a classic twist to Ørgreen’s highly contemporary minimalist aesthetic. More will be revealed at Opti: www.orgreenoptics.com

From Denmark: Monoqool 3d printed eyewear

Monoqool’s ability to make 3d printed frames that are style-oriented, light to wear and extremely well designed and finished is underlined in its new 2018 entries which are very thin and produced in interesting colours.The company exhibits in the YES!-area, OPTI’s space for design labels showcasing new trends and innovations. CEO Allan Petersen told Eyestylist the company is preparing brand new releases for the Opti fair. More details coming soon: www.monoqool.com

Opti takes place annually at the beginning of the year and is held at Fairground Munich. As the international trade show for optics & design, it presents the entire spectrum of optics ranging from frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses and low-vision products to shop set-up, technical equipment and devices. This makes Opti a platform for product premieres by international market leaders and start-up companies alike. Since 2008, the show has been run by GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH. Since then Opti has shown continual growth. The trade show was held for the first time ever in 1998. For more information: www.opti.de CN

Design + Inspiration

Churchill’s reading spectacles go on sale

30th November 2017

Antique expert Catherine Southon is including a pair of Sir Winston Churchill’s tortoiseshell spectacles made by his opticians C. W. Dixey & Sons in a Christmas auction on Wednesday, 6th December 2017. The auction will be held at Farleigh Golf Club, near Croydon, UK, not far from Churchill’s Kent residence, and the spectacles are estimated to sell for up to £2,000.

The full rimmed round glasses with white dot to tip of each arm, contained within a leather spectacle case embossed C.W.Dixey & Son London 1777, together with a typed statement from Director of C. W. Dixey Mr P. Varnes verifying that the spectacles were made for Winston Churchill and claiming ‘usually three pairs of spectacles were made to Churchill’s prescription and kept at the Cavendish Square showroom later the Wigmore Street practice. After Churchill’s death C.W. Dixey had three pairs of Churchill’s spectacles still in their possession. It is believed one pair were given to Chartwell, one pair auctioned in 2011 and this is the final pair.

The spectacles were give to the present owner by Mr P. Varnes Director of Dixey and Sons, as the present owner, also an optician, was developing a new range of spectacles in the style of Churchill and Mr Varnes said he should ‘have the real thing’.

Churchill was very fond of his distinctive eyewear – either half-eye or the fully round style which were tailored for specific purposes and marked accordingly. The metal dots in the corner of the frame indicate its purpose – one dot for reading only and two dots for speeches, but he also had specially made glasses for sketching, painting, or card playing.

The wartime prime minister was often seen wearing the circular tortoiseshell spectacles in his later years. He had several made, so he would always have spares and if there was anything wrong with them, they would then be left with opticians Dixey for repairs.

Catherine said: “We are absolutely delighted to be offering a pair of Winston Churchill’s spectacles, especially as this area is very proud of its Churchill connection. His spectacles are as iconic as his cigar and hat. We expect a lot of interest both here and abroad as Churchill memorabilia is always very collectable.”

C W Dixey – Chartwell 01 and 02 are modern versions of the original spectacle styles worn by Churchill

Today, the British spectacle makers C W Dixey & Son produce a range of classical designs including a faithful replica of Sir Winston’s legendary circular frames, model Chartwell 01, picture above. More details on the line at http://www.cwdixeyandson.com/range.php

Further details on the auction visit www.catherinesouthon.co.uk / More about CW Dixey on Eyestylist.com: https://www.eyestylist.com/2012/02/men-and-their-glasses/ CN

Update – 11th December: The spectacles sold for £6000. (£7,296 incl. Premium and VAT). The spectacles were veryfied by a typed letter from the director of the opticians.