Design + Inspiration

2017 represents an invigorating moment of achievement at Ørgreen Optics, the Danish eyewear design company that has become synonymous with cutting-edge minimal titanium frames, produced in Japan. The mood this year is all about eyewear excellence and the driving force of the label, innovation, experimentation and design expertise as they celebrate 20 years.

Eyestylist met Henrik Ørgreen for a taste of what’s coming over cocktails at Brønnum, a favourite haunt of the Danish entrepreneur who lives just round the corner. “We are seen as a pioneering design company, and that is what we are celebrating again. We have started this year with several new Limited Editions, and there is a lot more to show including a huge focus on our company’s proven technical capabilities through a new concept we will launch at Silmo and a reexploration of our roots and the materials we first came to market with. 2018 is going to represent another key phase for us as we must keep improving what we do through exploration and pushing our capabilities that little bit further once again. There are very many collections out there today and I always benchmark with that and challenge it.”

“Already the year has shown the dynamic attitude of the team with the launch of new Limited Editions and more to come.” High End High Tech is one of those new releases (above). Two round panto styles complementing each other in colour and in shape, and focused on technology with digitally inspired colours and the titanium material, known as a Nasa favourite for spacecraft construction.

The square style Rook (above) and more rounded Taurus are part of the Out of Orbit Capsule. Rook is named after Montes Rook, the ring-shaped mountain range on the far side of the moon that’s only visible from the edge from Earth. The exciting colour options include allusions to lunar rock formations and stone-effect surface patterns – a first in titanium, and perfectly in keeping with the mood of experimentation seen at Opti Munich where the On Fire collection – featuring “out-there” frames with a “burnt surface” – were first on display. For more details on the new Collections launching at Ørgreen Optics keep your eye on www.orgreenoptics.com CN

Elegance, beauty and technology convene in ARA – the natural buffalo horn frame by MONOCEROS that was honoured with the Red Dot Design Award in the fashion design category for exceptional design concept. For over sixty years, Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany has presented the prestigious award for design innovation. The Austrian brand MONOCEROS won for their unique eyewear made from a single piece of eco-friendly buffalo horn.

Specific horn processing technologies developed by a small group of creators at MONOCEROS have enabled this noble material to be transformed into stunning eyewear. ARA’s contemporary silhouette is stylish, sophisticated and durable. Congratulations to MONOCEROS on the receipt of the Red Dot Award. www.monoceros.cc JG

Lafont Paris is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in North America with an exceptional frame creation produced in a limited edition of 400 pieces and one unique colour scheme. The design recognises the extraordinary successes of the Parisian design house in the USA, where Laurence and Philippe Lafont first began selling their frames in 1987 in some of the finest American eyewear boutiques of the time. The frame follows other special releases such as model Twenty, the 2007 metal edition for the US market that was famously worn by Lady Gaga.

Certified with the Origin France Guarantee, model Thirty represents an iconic design with an exciting decorative concept. The asymmetrical black and ivory carved acetate sunglass style is embellished with cut outs of the Statue of Liberty on one temple and the Eiffel Tower on the other.

Lafont first started making luxurious eyewear in 1923. By the 80s when the family brought their frames to the States, their unique decorative style and luxurious shapes and colours were among a handful of collections focusing exclusively on traditional handcrafting techniques and fine quality materials.  The family business has helped shape the innovations and developments we see today in the design and decoration of luxury eyewear.  For more information on Thirty, visit www.lafont.com. CN

Stimulating, creative fresh ideas permeate the latest designs from theo. The Belgium brand orchestrates eyewear with innovation in silhouette and construction, plus unique colour combinations in a range of materials. Inspiration abounds in theo collections, and Kamasutra set creative genes in action with frame “positions” based on the ancient sex manual. Lotus Blossom and Sideways Samba (above)  – unite in two pieces that then click the frame together. No screws or other fixtures…oh! so theo!

Potatoes acetate are fun frames named after a much-loved food – the potato. Six different shapes (Patatas shown above) range from bold and brash to elegant and feminine, very stylish and contemporary. Super theo colour combinations too – really a delicious feast for the eyes!

The theo mille quarante collection introduces four new models in eight different colour combinations. The timeless designs and streamlined contours are further enhanced with unexpected textures, as expressed in mille+47 (above) For more information on theo’s exciting new releases, visit www.theo.be JG