Design + Inspiration

Eyewear individuality for back to school

28th August 2017

School checklist: backpack; pens and pencils; notebooks and binders; and most importantly – eyewear with punch and personality! From tiny tots to teenagers, this season’s selections abound with appealing frames in sturdy materials, beautiful colours and streamlined shapes, ideal for little faces. Ophus (above) by LINDBERG is crafted in hypoallergenic titanium that is lightweight, strong and flexible, with superb fit and comfort. www.lindberg.com

Sophisticated colourations highlight Merci by Lafont Paris. The charming butterfly shape is ideal for young girls from 4-7 years old, and the frame features Lafont’s exclusive spring hinge. www.lafont.com

Summer holidays may be over, but Indian Summer weekends can be a delightful time for outdoor adventures – and strong sunshine. Protect vulnerable eyes with chic sun specs from Olivier Goldsmith Mini Icons. Lord was originally created for Michael Caine; the Mini Lord is a faithful replica for children in Fresh Mint. www.oliviergoldsmith.com

Children respond positively to colour, and will find Papillon by JF Rey an enchanting design with its melange of different acetates in rich hues. A delightful detail is the little butterfly that is inserted in the temples. www.jfrey.fr

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

Trendy, hip styling is the hallmark of The Mungarutal Jr by Original Penguin Junior. A retro mood is embraced with the round shape in crystal acetate.http://www.kenmarkeyewear.com

Lafont Paris has just launched their first sunglasses for youngsters – fun styles infused with Lafont’s long history of quality, fit, superb colours and shapes in frames for children. Aloha shown in vivd red – autumn’s hottest colour – is also available in Ocean Blue and Tortoiseshell. www.lafont.com JG

Design + Inspiration

Eyewear accessories: fashion & function

22nd August 2017

Creative eyewear accessories – chains, cases and cleaning cloths – bring flair, as well as practical care, to looking after your glasses

Striking chains are the raison être at Frame Chain in London. Designers Annie and Vanessa create stunning chains that are trendy, supremely stylish, and crafted in beautiful materials. Drop Pearl (above) features a brass chain plated with 24 Caret gold, and is hand strung with luscious fresh water pearls…the tiny jewel a must-have this autumn. When not in use for eyewear, the chain is a chic necklace. www.framechain.co.uk

“Night Office” lens cloth by Kirk and Kirk

Lens cloths have come into their own with stylish, intriguing designs to clean your glasses. “Night Office” by Kirk & Kirk portrays an artistic ambience in vivid colours. www.kirkandkirk.com

A teenage adventure trip to London was inspiration for Austrian designer Mona Moore, when she discovered “a shop that was a little wonderland, with all kinds of beautiful beads in rare, unusual colours. I wanted to take everything with me. The beads are great quality, as they never lost colour over all these years.” Style BR5 unites pink and crystal beads in various sizes. Explore more at www.monamoore.at

SALT. Optics celebrates the sea in their eyewear cloth

Nature and the preservation of the planet is the core of SALT. Optics philosophy. Their new cleaning cloths reflect this with beautiful renditions of nature’s beauty and bounty. The sea scene is featured here – discover additional images highlighting nature from the California brand at www.saltoptics.com

Limited Edition eyeglass cases by Kirk and Kirk

Colour is always a special highlight at Kirk & Kirk with unique impact in their eyewear designs. The same principle applies to their sleek eyeglass cases – Limited Edition designs in powerful colourations – and easy to find in a tote or computer bag. www.kirkandkirk.com

l.a. Eyeworks: signature cloth by Huntley Muir

In l.a. Eyeworks’ signature series of artist-designed cleaning cloths, visual innovators – artists, illustrators, graphic designers – are commissioned to explore the cleaning cloth as a space for art- making. The latest design is from London-based artist duo Huntley Muir (Su Huntley and Donna Muir) who experiment across an impressive spectrum of mediums. Their groundbreaking and deeply influential style depicts an ecstatic world of fleeting fragments from the urban landscape, free-wheeling wordplay, radical shifts in scale, and a visual wit laced with anarchy. www.laeyeworks.com JG

Design + Inspiration

Future combinations: eyewear styling

18th August 2017

Pairings in eyewear are increasingly complex and, for future seasons, colourful and bright. For the wearer, the mix of colours or materials should flatter and enhance features without overpowering the face – it’s an art of harmony and balance, where the interplay of texture and colour can be subtle and harmonious, or bold and striking.

JF Rey – the French design house – is creative in combination work and their Destruct line clearly illustrates the opportunity to play both with colour, material and volume on the frame. The concept focuses on the cutting of the acetate to uncover the metal below the surface. “The metal unfolds and redraws the aesthetics of the frame, creating a new graphic balance,” explains the designer. Find out more at www.jfrey.fr

Model Viggo – a smart men’s design by Face à Face – combines classic colours of tortoise and bright blue, in a popular mix that is easy on many complexions. In the photo, the frame is fitted with the newly released Transitions lenses, Style Colours, in their bright blue tone – Sapphire – personalising the colour combinations of the design, and enhancing the points in blue on the bridge and temple when at their most intense tone in the sun. A stunning combination! www.faceaface-paris.com / www.stylecolours.co.uk

Colour combinations at the innovative Italian artisan design label RES/REI are often inspired by nature. Magnolia, from the Flowers Collection, is an example of the label’s new custom designed acetates which feature a geometric use of three different colours on the front face – a magical re-interpretation of the petals of exotic flowers. www.resrei.com CN

Design + Inspiration

Trends: Crystal clear (now and into Autumn)

14th August 2017

While crystal colorations often get more attention in the warmer months in the sunglasses lines, next season, the transparent effect will linger on as a mood for the winter months. Some of the transparent frames have a tinge of pink or grey, while others offer an edgy see-through effect that can look very modern, even if the crystal tone first appeared decades ago.

The shapes of the crystal frames vary enormously with classic and unconventional proposals coexisting. Berenford, from Switzerland, has a nice square interpretation with a 1960s reference – Francoise (Absinthe) in their L’Avventura Edition – is made from vintage Mazzucchelli acetate. The frame is inspired by style icon Francoise Hardy, the French singer, and is fitted with Zeiss sun lenses for excellent UV protection. www.berenford.com

SALT. Optics often features crystal with a very chic polished finish. For next season, their Kiani frame combines a shape with retro details such as a key hole bridge and a very clean, transparent acetate material with a gentle hint of grey. www.saltoptics.com

The lightweight simplicity of the Arbesser sunglasses, a collaboration with Silhouette Eyewear, is further enhanced in the crystal version, teamed with gold temples. The beautifully shaped lightweight frame and circular lens – pictured here in a graduated green – are the perfect finishing touch for the luxury looks in the new season collections. Find more sun styles at www.silhouette.com CN

Design + Inspiration

Celebrate sunnies!

1st August 2017

Summertime is at its peak – a sunny occasion for rest, relaxation, fun and fashion! Make the most of summer escapades with sunglasses that combine tradition and trends, with a dash of adventure and spirit. Negus (above) is crafted in Italy in sanded metal alloy with mineral glass lenses from L.G.R’s splendid sun collection. View the beautiful sun selections for men and women by Luca Gnecchi Ruscone at www.lgrworld.com

Star light…star bright…for Anna-Karin Karlsson glamour enriches all seasons. Black Moon in luxurious acetate sparkles with Swarovski star-shaped crystals in a dramatic cat-eye – the definitive summer eye shape. www.annakarinkarlsson.com

RG0091 – RIGARDS Sterling Silver Collection Photography: @iammikeallen for @1010optics

The latest collection from RIGARDS by Ti Kwa highlights the exquisite beauty of fine sterling silver. The Sterling Silver collection – including RG0091 (above) is available with custom finishing options – polished; textured; matte; oxidized; or a unique chiselled surface…all lovingly handcrafted. www.rigards.com

Justin from The Sunglass Collection by Kirk & Kirk

Kirk & Kirk’s Sunglass Collection is handmade in France in lightweight – yet extremely durable acrylic; a Kirk & Kirk speciality. Justin – worn in the above photo by actor and model Martin Mednikarov – is a chic blend of contemporary styling and elegant, natural Earth colouration. www.kirkandkirk.com

The Bocca Collection by Face à Face Paris is such fun and so cheerful! Bocca Joy 1 is all that – plus. Emerald green acetate meets long, curvy legs in textured colours for a distinctive summer signature. www.faceaface-paris.comJG