Design + Inspiration

Rigards – Elegant and Sculpted Aesthetics

30th October 2015

Metalloid Frames by Innovator Ti Kwa

Napoleon III used aluminium plates for state dinners – and Jules Verne – in his novel – “Journey to the Moon” – describes an aluminium space rocket. Now Ti Kwa at RIGARDS, uses this exceptional and naturally occurring metal for sculpted frames. This traditional material is strong, yet lightweight, durable and non-toxic. The result is five marvellously crafted designs in three colours – grey, ink blue, and gold.

Sanjuro by RIGARDS from the Metalloid Collection

Creative shapes for men and women that embrace RIGARDS gutsy, yet refreshing eyewear expressions, enhance the designs. The frames feature specially created screw-less hinges, and innovatively designed nose-pads for superb fit. For more info on RIGARDS Metalloid directional frames, visit www.rigards.com JG

SILMO Paris - The Optical Fair. 25th - 28th September 2026

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

Design + Inspiration

Impressive Show & Fun Ambience in Stuttgart

27th October 2015

Die Brillenmesse and Innovative Frames

From Heidelberg to Zurich, and many other towns, opticians and visitors arrived in Stuttgart for Die Brillenmesse 2015. The vibrant Motorworld location for the 4th edition of Die Brillenmesse was a success, according to Dirk Geissmann, one of the event organisers.

Opticians at Stuttgart — Optik Dieterich from Heidelberg – Sarah Lenz, Julia Wagnes, her husband Bend, and Samy enjoy a pause café at Die Brillenmesse in Stuttgart

“There was a ten percent increase in visitors; and a happy relaxed ambience confirmed that the format of the show works,” said Steffen Keil, the show partner with Geissmann, “because when we started, there was much more distance between the brand representatives and the visitors. This year, there were no barriers – visitors stayed for a long time, and engaged with the exhibitors. There is a real interest in designer brands, an openness, almost a hunger, for new ideas.”

Julien Jarraud and Andreas Malathounis from Kirk & Kirk at Die Brillenmesse

Motorworld is a place dedicated entirely to automobiles,” noted Nathanaël Wenger, the third member of the Die Brillenmesse team, “and it is an interesting mix between a museum, exhibition, and work space for car lovers. The combination of fine designer glasses and vintage autos works perfectly. New brands in Stuttgart this year included 999.9; Tom Rebl; Dick Moby; Robert Rüdger; JF Rey and Liebeskind.” Save the dates now for 2016! Die Brillenmesse at Motorworld 15th and 16th October. www.diebrillenmesse.de JG

Top photo: Dirk Geissmann co-coordinator Die Brillenmesse with eyewear designers Adrian Marwitz and Didier Voirol. 1974 red convertible Jaguar courtesy of Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors at Motorworld www.arthur-bechtel.com All photos for Eyestylist by Rouven Koehnen All Rights Reserved

Design + Inspiration

Positive Luxury and Karmoie

23rd October 2015

“Buy one, give one” Congratulations go out to Norwegian brand Karmoie, who have become one of the few eyewear labels to gain the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark for social commitment (www.positiveluxury.com).

Karmoie founders Lars and Kirsten Iversen say their aim is to create beautiful, uncompromising eyewear while also contributing in a committed and conscious way towards a better future. For every pair of Karmoie frames sold, a pair of corrective glasses is given to a person in need, through a partnership with Eyejusters.

The Butterfly Mark is awarded by Positive Luxury – the organisation that communicates and celebrates luxury brands’ sustainable actions – and is a seal of approval which enables consumers to recognise brands they can trust.

Through Positive Luxury’s screening process, Karmoie has demonstrated a commitment to people and the planet across all aspects of their business including sourcing traceability policies, reducing their environmental footprint and the use of sustainable and recyclable materials. For more information, visit www.karmoie.com CN

Design + Inspiration

Hall of Frames Zurich

20th October 2015

Pace Setting Eyewear in Switzerland

Swiss, German and Austrian opticians visited the recent Hall of Frames event in Zurich – the only platform for designer frames in Switzerland. Kongresshaus was the amicable location, affording a quintessential view of Zurich’s beautiful lake and mountains. Co-coordinator Nathanael Wenger said; “This simple and elegant show is a ‘must go’ for all boutique opticians, and it is also a good opportunity to meet up with colleagues and friends.

Dominique Kasper - agent for Claire Goldsmith and OG Sunglasses at HOF Zurich — Dominique Kasper – agent for Claire Goldsmith and OG Sunglasses at HOF Zurich

“New brands presented for the first time in Zurich included: Edwardson from Geneva; Tom Rebl and Retrosuperfuture from Italy; Caroline Abram and Anne et Valentine from France; and Claire Goldsmith and Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses from the UK.” Wenger noted that the diversity in style, sizes and colours is huge – “there are almost no limits in every direction. We could see an increasing number of brands with oversized, fine rimmed metal frames, from Coblens, Orgreen, and Götti – this could be the next big trend.”

Dates for the 2016 Hall of Frames Zurich have already been set – so note on your calendar – 2nd and 3rd October 2016 – to discover the latest, distinctive, artisan eyewear collections surrounded by Switzerland’s majestic beauty. www.hallofframes.ch JG

Top Photo: Nathanael Wenger, Tina, the ad campaign model, and Dirk Geissmann

Design + Inspiration

A modernist story

16th October 2015

RockOptika at the De La Warr

The world-famous modernist De La Warr Pavilion (www.dlwp.com) in Bexhill, England is the setting for an eyewear campaign by British eyewear label, Rockoptika. Creative Director Tom Herrington fulfils his passion for quality eyewear and fashion photography in the new images, which he shot with stylist Philly Piggott and assistant photographer Paul Cocks.

“The campaign is an integral part of my collection and how I believe it should be presented. I was already planning and visualising how it would look when I began to design the frames a year and a half ago. ”

Tom explains: “I love the De La Warr, and it’s just five miles away from RockOptika HQ in St Leonards on the English coast. It’s an exceptional backdrop for a luxury collection which has been created in tune with modernist aesthetics. We are a lucky to have had special access to shoot at this architectural landmark.”

The latest RockOptika collection is influenced by the sweeping curves, stark lines and muted colours of Bexhill’s iconic building. Featuring in the campaign are model Sinistre, a modified round shape with a flattened top – and Saiph and Vega, each one in keeping with the building’s hard edges and soft contours in a neutral colour palette – crystal, tortoise and classic black – creating a natural yet striking focus against the De La Warr’s streamlined concrete and steel. For more information about RockOptika frames, visit www.rockoptika.com CN