Design + Inspiration

Original designs, imaginative colourations, and durable materials ensure fashion savvy with the latest frames for kids and teens. Children are aware of trends, and follow what their favourite social media personalities are wearing – and they want the same! Whether youngsters desire to be a fashionista, embracing hip-hop, or looking really cool, eyewear designs for children allow their sense of style and personality to shine. JF Rey has released a superb collection of optical styles in their Kids&Teens collection. Soleil (above) is a charming shape for girls 4/6 years old, in acetate that combines pink and pearl white with a soft glittery finish. www.jfrey.fr

When packing the holiday necessities for you and your offspring, don’t leave home without Casper in Tango Fizz from the Mini-Icons collection by Olivier Goldsmith. Casper was introduced for adults in 1971 – the timeless acetate shape is an exact replica of the adult design – scaled proportionately for young faces. Also available in yummy colours of Fresh Aqua, The Pool and Grape Squash. Discover more at www.olivergoldsmith.com

Chic, understated, elegant – the Kid/Teen Rim collection by LINDBERG features titanium frames that offer the ultimate in comfort, fit and style. Ophus embodies the technical wizardry of LINDBERG craftsmanship, coupled with a design that is lightweight and easy for children to wear. www.lindberg.com

Lafont has a long history of creating stylish frames for babies through to twelve year olds, with great shapes and beautiful colours. Tac boasts a contemporary look – shown in blue with tortoiseshell – and also available in sleek colourations of tortoiseshell and forest green, plum, with polka dots, and additional innovative combinations. Visit www.lafont.com to discover more fun frames for kids by Lafont Paris.

Original Penguin Junior specialises in cool eyewear designs for young men, with hints of retro inspiration in shape and colours. The latest collection features acetates and metals in handsome colourations, including The Henderson in an acetate/metal duo with striking blue tones. www.kenmarkoptical.com JG

Exquisite jewels and precious materials are celebrated in eyewear, with iconic style and superb crafting – jewels for the eyes. Lovely stones distinguish watches, rings, necklaces and earrings – and the results are even more stunning in eyewear. The LINDBERG Precious collection  features distinctive designs in the finest materials and stones sourced from exclusive mines. The LINDBERG design above is meticulously crafted in 18 caret solid rose gold with 1 x 0.33 caret baguette cut pink diamond, plus 1 x 0.38 caret baguette cut pink diamond. Refined and glamorous! A testament to LINDBERG’s 85 international awards for eyewear excellence. www.lindberg.com

A single piece of rich buffalo horn is superbly crafted into The Taurus from the MONOCEROS collection, handcrafted in Austria. The design is a new interpretation of a classic horn frame, with its vintage referenced round shape. The Taurus has been recognised as a 2017 Green Product Selection. Horn has long been used in eyewear; however, the MONOCEROS collection is a new contemporary manifestation of nature, glamour and luxury. www.monoceros.cc

Birgitte Falvin understands the link between jewellery and fine eyewear. Before launching her frame collection, her metier was fine jewellery. FALVIN designs specialise in traditional eyewear techniques to ensure long-lasting quality and beauty. “It is an aesthetic attitude,” says Birgitte, “and our titanium frames are crafted in Japan.” Twilight in matte black features a layer of palladium with sleek streamlined contours. www.falvin.dk

Art Deco inspired opulence, highlights the latest Atelier collection, handcrafted with geometric styling to capture the iconic style of the era. Baguette diamonds and beautiful gemstones radiate grace and finesse, coupled with Silhouettes’s design and technical expertise. www.silhouette.com JG

Architectural elements, nature’s influence in varied forms, fashion and historical references, all contribute to the amazing variety of contemporary frame shapes. Coupled with ingenious crafting and technical superiority, the latest eyewear shapes are innovative, expressive, and most importantly – wearable. Featured above: California flair is symbolised in festive Sir Lady 315 Red Cocktail acetate by l.a. Eyeworks. Handmade with Italian flair. www.laeyeworks.com

With its striking textured stone finish, Nasia in stainless steel by Canadian designer Mehran Baghaie at Spectacle Eyeworks, is deftly crafted in a cat-eye shape with distinctive detailing, and made in Germany. www.spec-eyeworks.com

Theo has always taken the adventurous route with shape, and the latest exploration is vivacious Pieper in acetate and metal, with its sensuous form and cut-outs. www.theo.be

An ideal frame for small faces that gives the illusion of a larger shape – style PM043 from the JF Rey Petite Collection features two different acetates and stylish colour play. www.jfrey.fr

Dramatic and dynamic, Nightingale in curvaceous acetate is chic and sophisticated, and crafted in England by Walter & Herbert. www.walterandherbert.com

French brand Vue dc embraces boldness in shape and sophisticated colourations with Kot in acetate. www.vuedc.fr JG

High performance, exceptional and distinctive technical engineering – along with fit and comfort – merge stylishly in Limited Edition sunglasses by SALT. Optics + AETHER. The two companies are based in Southern California, and they fully understand the focused passion – and benefits – of experiencing the outdoor life and sporting activities. Top image: The Explorer

The sunglass designs were created with the motorcycle rider in mind – but are so fashionable that they can be worn by anyone. The Scout and Explorer are crafted in beta-titanium, and feature perforated air vents; titanium nose pads; and polarised photochromic or mirror lenses. The frames also fit comfortably and easily under a helmet. The colours are striking – Black Sand, Brushed Honey Gold and Tempest.

The foundation for SALT. Optics is the effortless beauty of nature, and the carefree California lifestyle. AETHER was created with the concept that contemporary, specialised accessories need to work as well in urban environments, as they do in the great outdoors. SALT. + AETHER believe in premium quality united with the finest materials. The results are two exciting frame silhouettes that provide style, comfort, and optical clarity for their enthusiastic wearers. www.saltoptics.com  www.aetherapparel.com JG

Acetate may be a traditional frame material but the latest proposals in this classic in eyewear open a new phase of colour refinement with a contemporary outlook. From revamped tortoise creations to prints with grain effects inspired by natural stone or fabric – these wonderfully playful designs provide the wearer with a personal and effortless statement in modern dressing.

Jono Hennessy, one of a handful of independent Australian labels releases innovative colours and patterns season after season. Model BLAST 8408 represents an example of the mix of lush tortoise colorations (blue and red infused tortoise) that continue to trend alongside the classic tortoise colours. The designer was inspired by the sails of the Sydney Opera House for the angular shapes. Find more inspiration from designer Jono at www.jonohennessy.com

The small Italian label Dabrach – from Piemonte, Italy – has explored (among several classic colours) some intensely bright and patterned materials – including rare acetates – since it first launched in 2015. Their combination of angular handmade shapes and unusual colour effects make a delightful and distinctive spectacle. Further details: www.dabrach.com

Behind Woow Eyewear – a label that has grown out of a heritage of colour and style innovation – is a love of bright, impactful shapes. Model Make It 2 is on point in the context of playful tones, bringing a strong translucent aqua together with multicoloured, mottled-effect temples. www.wooweyewear.com

French artisan label Plein Les Mirettes specialises in women’s designs with quirky yet wearable shapes. Colours range from brights to highly decorative and multicoloured: the very pretty asymmetrical DIVA VIII is part of a limited series produced in some fresh and unconventional coloured acetates. For more details: www.plein-les-mirettes.fr CN