Design + Inspiration

From Utilitarian to Art – by Joan Grady

Designer Lens Cloths L.a. Eyeworks pose the question: “Who said that cleaning your lenses has to be a mundane task?” The California based brand is celebrating their 35th anniversary this year, and in addition to original frames and cases, they have been creating fun and amusing cleaning cloths. The company commissions innovators – illustrators, artists, and graphic designers – to explore the lens cleaning cloth as a blank canvas for art. Since 2009, the programme has featured works by world-renowned figures from the visual arts, including among others: Jim Isermann; Kori Newkirk; Susan Stilton; Barbara Keruger; Remy Charlip; and contemporary artist Jeffrey Vallance (dog lens cloth above), whose artworks infiltrate the everyday and the overlooked, infusing them with fantasy and spirituality. www.laeyeworks.com

Cleaning cloths from Mondelliani in Rome incorporate film and real -life characters, plus beautiful fantasy images of the Four Seasons – perhaps taking a cue from Vivaldi’s musical masterpiece.

Created by Mondelliani graphic designer Felipe Colasanti, the cloth colourations are vibrant and lively. www.mondelliani.it

Nature is the force and inspiration behind S.A.L.T. Optics, and they carry this theme through to their cleaning cloths, which feature elegant expressions of the sky, sea and mountains. This utilitarian item is not only useful, but is entertaining and stylish! www.saltoptics.com JG

…Don’t Leave Home Without Them!

Summertime…and the living is easy – and so are beautiful accessories. Holiday time is a wonderful opportunity to wear fun, spirited designs – relaxed, yet with a touch of fantasy. The Parisians have a special flair for accessories, and in the photo above, we feature three Parisian designers with exciting summer inspirations. Johanna Braitbart has the perfect solutions to enhance fashions with a must-have collection of hair ornaments and turbans. The model on the left wears a charming hair clip with feathers, beads and Swarovski crystals, which coordinates harmoniously with Oregon sunglasses, an elegant modern classic by Lafont Paris. On the right, sunny yellow brightens your style and your day in splendid Bocca Lova sunglasses by Face à Face Paris, and a sleek turban by Johanna Braitbart. All Johanna’s hats are handcrafted in her Paris atelier located in the Marais. Visit her delightful boutique where you can experience her beautiful hats and accessories to your hearts content. www.johannabaitbart.com  www.lafont.com www.faceaface-paris.com

Summer sandals by Zoe Lee makes everything you wear feel – and look – great. Her stunning, slick wedge shoe is ideal with floaty dresses and trousers. If in Paris, visit Zoe’s imporessive boutique in Le Marais where the entire shoe collection can be viewed. For more information click on www.zoelee.co.uk

Vintage rises in the summer air with this elegant, wrapped turban by Johanna Braitbart, complimented with smart retro sunglasses in lustrous black acetate by Face à Face Paris.

Italian designer Benedetta Bruzziches creates lovely, memorable bags, and this stylish clutch is practical for holding necessities, and also a unique conversation piece. www.benedettabruzziches.com JG

Timeless Sunglasses

Independent designers bring original ideas and concepts to sunglasses – fine materials; shapes that range from classic to cult; and a colour palate that frequently amazes. In addition to his fashion collections, Tim Van Steenbergen also creates memorable eyewear designs for theo in Belgium. In the photo above, Tim wears one of his favourites for summer 2015 – Station Charlie in luxurious thick acetate with elegant bevelling details. www.theo.be

Titanium is a material that always inspires German designer Adrian Marwitz. Pure, uncluttered shapes are his passion, and Stranger No. 20 is crafted with excellence and fine, precise details. The shimmering bronze finish on the frame is certain to look fabulous with a suntan! www.adrianmarwitz.com Photo by Max Gudczinski exclusively for Eyestylist.com

Luca Gnecchi Ruscone’s sunglass collection is always a delightful selection of beautifully designed and superbly accomplished frames. Right on trend is Elizabeth, in fashion’s favourite pink. The silky luminous acetate silhouette flows with graceful elegant contours. www.lgrworld.com

Frames with architectural inspiration bring new dimension to designs by Mondelliani in Rome. The Edge sunglasses are literally, “Edgy” and sleek, with an intrinsic shape in polished black acetate. Note the precisely handcrafted details of the frame front, bridge and temples. www.mondelliani.it

Children’s eyes need sun protection too, and youngsters will really enjoy wearing Oliver Goldsmith’s Glyn. This frame was created for adults in 1971 – still going strong today – and artfully interpreted for little faces. Kids will feel so grown up with the vintage styling in Black and Candy Floss acetate, with a keyhole bridge. Check out www.olivergoldsmith.com for more details. JG