Design & Inspiration

Independent Eyewear on The River Rhine

Hall of Frames has announced a new show for their independent eyewear events – on the banks of the River Rhine in Cologne. Show organisers Nath Wenger and Dirk Geissmann said: “We are very excited to organise our first show in Cologne! The city has a rich tradition in the eyewear industry, and “Die Brillenmesse” will be held on 25th and 26th April in the Dock One Hall, next to the River Rhine.

“Over fifty of the best Eyewear designers will present their spring news in a cool and relaxed setting. The expectations are high because the opticians in and around Cologne are famous for good taste and openness towards fine Eyewear. Only the best opticians can survive and “Die Brillenmesse” is the platform for some of the most beautiful brands in the market.”

Slav Nowosad will make his first appearance at a HOF event and present what he describes as his “atypical frames” (above Sun 5055/00)) Aesthetics, technology and design without limitation are Nowosad’s approach to unusual eyewear. Nowosad Designworks are designed and handmade in Poland. www.slavnowosad.com

Suzy Glam – Gold winner of the Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Award in 2013 will unveil beautiful new designs in Cologne. Suzy Glam Breaks Rules features curvaceous, elegant lines in nude matt acetate. www.suzyglam.com

L.G.R. from Italy will attend with their latest – and fabulous – designs including Sahara, with a distinctive brushed effect on the frame front, and superbly crafted mineral glass lenses. L.G.R. frames are handmade in Italy. www.lgrworld.com

KBL Eyewear in Germany is synonymous with youth, quality, and performance, and presenting for the first time at HOF.  The initials KBL stand for Kind of Bohemian LIfestyle, and the designs reflect a “bohème” nature – expressed in Italian acetate and Japanese titanium. www.kbleyewear.com For more information on HOF Köln visit www.diebrillenmesse.de JG

Munich, Germany

The Opti fair this weekend showcased exceptional talent in fine eyewear design. Natural materials remain an important highlight in the artisan collections, and there were several new releases and trends on the rise.

Rolf Spectacles launched “Topolino 94”, a distinctive round shape, and part of their “evolved collection”. Inspired by the Fiat Topolino, one of the smallest cars in the world at the time of its production, the name also translates as “little mouse” (and Mickey Mouse, from the Italian). Topolino comes in four covetable natural wood combinations: smoked eucalyptus, bog oak/maple/bog oak, bog oak/walnut and walnut (pictured above). www.rolf-spectacles.com

Rigards showed new “slow-wear” natural horn designs in their collection of heirloom pieces with a unique and enduring beauty. They include model RG 0044 (above), a gentle almond eye shape combined with a special high bridge and pale lilac tinted lenses. www.rigards.com.

From Denmark, Kilsgaard showed a first-class Acetate Collection, handcrafted in Japan. Bestselling shapes in their aluminium line have been translated into acetate, and a balanced natural colour palette lends refinement – they include classical Havana, dark tortoise and subdued classics like bottle green and amber with a subtle fade effect (model Petri, above). A shiny miniature metal Kilsgaard logo is embedded in temple ends. www.kilsgaard-eyewear.com

At a packed Andy Wolf stand, natural acetate colours sat alongside more adventurous neons and brights, a suggestion that both colour palettes will keep their place as lead fashion directions in 2015. Andy Wolf 5045c (above) is one of the Austrian label’s optical show pieces – a super statement cat-eye shape in smooth ivory-like dual tone acetate. For full details visit www.andy-wolf.at CN

The Opti trade fair takes place from 15th to 17th January 2016, at the Fairground Messe Munchen. Visit www.opti.de/en/home/ CN