Design + Inspiration

A showcase for leaders in international optics, the January fair in Munich provided more innovation, creative trends and design finesse than ever before, with eyewear by international creatives and designers, including ambitious start-ups and young fresh labels, showing in the beautifully presented Opti Boxes.

The fair organised a tour for fashion and eyewear influencers who travelled from across Germany and further afield to meet designers and learn about eyewear technology, new directions and design for the future.

Young label Nina Mûr from Madrid were the winners of Opti’s Blogger Spectacle Award, an initiative that was launched last year by the show, which helps promote innovative newcomers. (Last year the Barcelona brand LOOL Eyewear were awarded the prize).  Above: Nina Mûr latest designs from the Memphis Collection, in collaboration with Abet Laminati. The line is inspired by the work of artist Ettore Sottsass.

Many notable collections are now launched specifically for the Munich fair, given the excellent far-reaching attendance of opticians from across Europe. Eyestylist will report on the outstanding examples in the coming weeks. They included the Cinematiq Collection from Budapest, which features handmade acetate frames with original vintage film footage in the temples. The frames are a creation by Zack Tipton (Tipton Eyeworks), the designer behind the much loved VINYLIZE brand, which has developed the ultimate designer “recycled” frame collections made by hand from discarded vinyl records. Find out more at https://vinylize.com / and https://cinematiqeyewear.com/

Always a highlight at the optical fairs, Rigards continues to explore natural and less usual materials with new masterpieces handcrafted in copper by talented artisan designer Ti Kwa; the perfectly formed small round glasses shown (model RG0104CU) have an intricate interchangeable front that “locks” onto the front of the copper frame. This design was, quite deservedly, one of the most photographed during the fair. www.rigards.com

Eyestylist.com extends thanks to OPTI-Munich for an excellent welcome at the show. The next Opti fair will take place from the 25th to 27th January 2019 at the Fairground Munich. www.opti.de CN

In just a few days, OPTI-Munich opens the 2018 edition to new eyewear horizons with diversity and distinction. The two-day event – 12th-14th January -showcases international designs and brands who will present contemporary and stimulating collections with signature styling, beautiful colours and amazing materials. Here are unique designs to discover for an exciting eyewear experience! (Top image: MONOQOOL launches their elegant 3-D CAFE Collection www.monoqool.com)

Norwegian designers Kirsten and Lars Iversen present their streamlined renditions in shimmering acetate. www.karmoie.com

French craftsmanship is beautifully demonstrated in Jérémy Tarian’s distinguished shapes and fine attention to details. www.jeremytarian.com 

The glamour of Italian race cars in the 1960’s inspire captivating shapes in the Superleggero designs by Luca Gnecchi Ruscone at L.G.R, handcrafted with skill and finesse in Italy. www.lgrworld.com

Gerald Lasnik, inventor and designer for SEEOO, wears his latest creation – SEEOO Round www.seeoo.at

Buffalo horn superbly crafted from sustainable sources highlights the luxurious collection by Vicky Strojek for ONONO. The slim, lightweight designs combine 20th century aesthetics with 21st century technology. www.onono.com

Vibrant purple sunglasses by SOL SOL ITO include striking shapes with coloured spring steal temples, and hand polished acetate fronts. www.solsolito.com (Photo by Hans Hansen)

BLACKFIN blends 1950’s inspiration with state-of-the-art construction and technology in Marrowstone – one of the new outstanding designs from the spring/summer BLACKFIN collection. www.blackfin.eu

Exquisite, featherweight, design ingenuity and advanced technologies highlight the minimalist eyewear creations by LINDBERG – award winning Danish label. www.lindberg.com

Modern retro influences eyewear designs in acetate and beta-titanium by Carin Eyewear from South Korea. www.caringlasses.com

Exotic woods, graceful designs, and refined colourations permeate the sophisticated collection by Gold and Wood. www.gold-and-wood.com

It’s count down to OPTI-Munich at Fairground Munich!  For more details, visit www.opti.de JG

Eyestylist wishes our readers and sponsors a happy, healthy and joyous New Year! The eyewear year launches on a high note with OPTI-Munich next week..a show infused with creativity and style from international designers.

Austrian brand neubau celebrates 2018 with an impressive sunglass design – Sigmund & Carl, (above) named after the great psychoanalysts Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung. They may rarely have seen “eye to eye”, but they both liked to wear round spectacles. Sigmund & Carl is a combination of the frames worn by both of these geniuses. The frames feature the unique, precision-made neubau hinge that ensures a perfectly adaptable temple. Sigmund & Carl is eco-friendly, crafted from titanium, stainless steel, and the sustainable material PX. Visit neubau at OPTI in Hall C3 Stand 116 and www.neubau-eyewear.com

A lyrical silhouette, slim and featherweight, handcrafted in Silver Oak highlights ROYALE by ROLF Spectacles, a re-launch of a ROLF bestseller. ROYALE emits a natural glow as the noble wood gives the frame a silvery shimmer. The Austrian brand – recipient of numerous awards including their second SILMO d’OR in October – specialises in wood designs crafted in their own atelier. See more ROLF creativity at OPTI in Hall C2 Stand 419, and visit www.rolf-spectacles.com

The charming, flirtatious, sleek and chic eyewear by Plein les Mirettes will exhibit at OPTI-Munich for the first time. The Normandy based label in the French countryside specialises in beautifully crafted frames in unique colour combinations, as seen in Belle 9  – in curry, white and blue. Discover the entire Plein les Mirettes collection in Hall C1 Stand 331 www.plein-les-mirettes.fr

RIGARDS has an exciting collaboration with Takayoshi Yamanami, the man behind the artisan jewellery label DETAJ. The composition of the elegant designs is formed by two elements: a genuine horn front and sterling silver temples. RIGARDS x DETAJ emphasises round shapes that are sculptural, and include RIGARD’s trademark bevelling. Distinctive and distinguished! Visit !hot at OPTI for more inspirational RIGARDS designs and www.rigards.com

A  unique, edgy, and fun shape by TAVAT is inspired by Soup Cans from the 1930’s. The Round Mask SoupCan is a TAVAT Special Edition in a design with new and unique applications of different materials. The Round Mask sunglasses are equipped with Melanin Lenses that offer a superb duo of style and eye protection, all handmade in Italy. More TAVAT ingenuity can be found in yes! at OPTI-Munich. www.tavat-eyewear.com Additional details for OPTI – 12th-14th January – at www.opti.de JG