Design + Inspiration

Barcelona is a centre of modern creativity, with a contemporary art, food, design and music scene that has become internationally renowned for its imaginative and consistently avant-garde direction. The appearance of a new young eyewear brand coming into the market at a high level of quality and innovation is therefore unsurprising, but nonetheless makes for an exciting entry given the level of research and design precision interwoven in a product that is functional, light, and technically precise. Startup Lool Eyewear is located in a warehouse studio just behind MACBA and the large open space which hums with skateboarders. Following a single trade fair (Silmo 2016), the label, created by talented product designer Aris Rubio and entrepreneur Alex Carrasco, is already looking at increasing the size of its workshop to accommodate fast-paced international demand since the Paris show. The frames have seen immediate popularity in Barcelona, stocked by leading optical retailers such as Les Lunettes, Bassol and DM Optics.

“Lool is a multidisciplinary studio”, Alex told Eyestylist when we visited the label earlier this month. “We manufacture in series from metal sheets of steel (11R51). They are worked by hand, one by one in a precise technical process, combining the industrial and manual, man and machine.”

Influenced by retrofuturism in the context of disciplines such as architecture and urbanism, Lool has already launched three specific sheet metal stainless steel collections, and a patented screwless hinge – The Hub – which features across their ranges and offers maximum durability and easy assembly. The frames themselves are built with an architectural precision where, for example, material is removed on the inside of the frame, reducing weight and changing the look and general feel when worn. Rubio’s methodology is to study the points of  tension around the front of the frame and take away what is not required from the inside, creating excellent lightness and flexibility in the metal material.

Lool’s three impressive collections – Tectonic, Stereotomic and The Grid, offer a strong starting point for a young team and their position in central Barcelona, where other likeminded designers are working in innovative collaborations, is likely to inspire further success as innovators of the future. Lool Eyewear will show at Opti Munich in January 2017. More information at www.looleyewear.com CN

‘Tis is the season to celebrate; be with loved ones and good friends; and delight in fun-filled festivities. It’s also the perfect time to enhance your holiday fashions with glamorous frames that sparkle and glow. Allow your radiance to shine in LINDBERG’s style 2239 (top image) from the Precious Collection. Eighteen carat rose gold and yellow gold feature in this contemporary form with artisan handcrafting. www.lindberg.com

Unforgettable brilliance heralds Anna-Karin Karlsson’s gleaming design – Lil’ Tears of the Moon. The acetate frame flourishes with pearls and rhinestones – created to make a merry and memorable entrance! www.annakarinkarlsson.com

Birgitte Falvin’s creative skills as a jewellery designer are now embellishing distinctive eyewear. The elegant Subsolar features titanium customised with a smooth surface of matte aubergine and shiny rose gold. The luxurious diamond setting beautifully highlights the delicate cat-eye silhouette of the design. Discover more about the Danish brand at www.falvin.dk

Amarilla by Vera Wang is the ideal accessory for après ski on sunny chalet terraces, or on the sun-drenched sands of the Caribbean. Vera’s latest capsule fashion collection is the inspiration for these sleek sunglasses in luminous acetate, accented with Swarovski crystals at the hinge, and along the top of the temple. www.kenmarkoptical.com JG

The Eyestylist team extends warmest wishes for a Happy and Festive Holiday Season to all our readers and sponsors!

Establishing a foundation of healthy eye care early in life is rewarding – and beneficial – for both parents and their children. With fun and appealing frame designs for babies through to teenagers, prescription glasses offer children better eyesight, plus safety and creative designs – making it awe-inspiring to wear them. Design, comfort and quality unite in the stylish designs by JF Rey. Gabriel (above) is an eye-catching acetate frame with graphic elements abundant in shape, design and colouration. Discover more at www.jfrey.fr for info on the inventive new Kids & Teens collection.

Active youngsters require frames that are sturdy and durable, as well as distinguishing fashion characteristics. All elements are incorporated in the charming Red Kids Eyewear collection. Crafted in The Netherlands, the frames include replaceable flex systems to meet any over-enthusiastic childhood antics. Ghent in quality acetate is a sleek, uncluttered design appealing to young fashionistas. www.redoptical.com

Children will love this beautiful frame from LINDBERG with its grown up look superbly scaled for little faces. Marc features a tortoiseshell front and titanium sides, and distinctive detailing captures the essence of LINDBERG quality and style. www.lindberg.com

New silhouettes highlight Zoobug’s Acetate Fashion Collection and include this smart style ZB1003. The colourations are lovely – Tortoise and Lilac (above) plus radiant bright tones of orange and blue, and a gradient purple. An OBE Flex-Uno hinge ensures comfort and fine fit. www.zoobug.com

Just like adults – kids appreciate the Retro look, and Tobogan by Lafont is a cool little shape for children aged 4-7. The round shape, temple details, and circular end tips further enhance the classic, vintage look. www.lafont.com JG

An imaginative spectrum of colour invigorates eyewear designs with savvy, eye-opening results. Whether solid colours, bi-or tri-colourations, plus fun variations, ravishing colour in frame designs can become a wondrous, bold adventure. Vividly bright or elegantly muted, frame colours offer intriguing options. Oliviero Zanon’s collection for Res/Rei includes the striking Amalfi (above) in superb hues of Mazzucchelli acetate with a seductive retro shape. www.resrei.com

Vibrant colour highlights Showoff by WOOW – an oversized frame with a chic double bridge, and streamlined composition. www.wooweyewear.com

Victor by Kirk & Kirk is an engaging mix of dark forest green on a lighter lime base which results in a glorious shade of Emerald. The tones react differently in changing light, and give the illusion of dancing colours. www.kirkandkirk.com

The colour excitement extends to eyewear accessories too. Italian craftsmanship excels in Pollipo’s clutch case – Ronette – in an exclusive patchwork of gold and rose gold in a crocodile pattern on natural Tuscan leather. www.pollipocchiali.it