Design + Inspiration

All eyes on Munich

The Munich optical event Opti is three days away and we are pleased to highlight some of the launches and new products that will premier at the fair, by a selection of international brands and eyewear independents.

Tom Stevens launches a new concept in 3D technology frames, featuring 7 models including model D02, a modified cateye (pictured above). Produced in the Netherlands, the collection is created using a high-tech process for printing, polishing and colouring, followed by the assembly of the parts by hand. The 3D collection is a new addition to the existing Tom Stevens Collection of Mazzucchelli acetates and super thin beta titanium frames, produced in Japan. www.stevenseyewear.com

Albert from SALT Optics
Albert from SALT Optics

US label SALT, specialists in refined, paired down shapes with a gorgeous quality and  finish, bring their full collection featuring refined acetates in crystal and landscape inspired colours; clean cut, modern optical design Albert is one of their eye-catchers in  tea toned crystal (above) – or smokey grey, matte burlywood or matte black havana. Handmade in Japan. www.saltoptics.com

Faubourg by Jeremy Tarian
Faubourg by Jeremy Tarian

Known for his creative artistry young Parisian eyewear entrepeneur Jeremy Tarian presents his charming Limited Editions in Munich this week. Faubourg is the ultimate designer style with 50s inspired proportions and a neat metal insert on frame front and temples, coordinating with the marbled tones of the acetate structure and delicate colored lens tints. www.jeremytarian.com

Carson by Kirk & Kirk
Carson by Kirk & Kirk

Award-winners Kirk & Kirk from the UK highlight the desirability of animal motifs in high fashion in their launch collection, Vivarium, where tiny silver or gold animal pins are a featured decoration – choose a lion, ram, horse or fly.  Acrylic frame Carson is decorated with the silver fly (above) and comes in this excellent shade of vivid blue – a favourite tone that continues to grace the catwalks. www.kirkandkirk.com

Hapter
Model D01M by Hapter, Italy

Italian innovators Hapter bring their collection from Italy following another award success: the label has just won the Good Design Award by the Chicago Atheneum of Design and Architecture, one of the most prestigious design awards in North America. Model D01M (above) is Hapter’s bestseller and is typical of Hapter’s finely crafted thin profiles and retro-inspired aesthetics. A frame that is entirely produced in Italy in surgical steel and high-end textiles. Find out more at www.hapter.it  CN

Opti Munich takes place from Friday 9th – 11th January 2015, www.opti.de. For more on our recommendations for Opti click on the link:  https://www.eyestylist.com/2014/12/all-eyes-on-munich/

100% Optical and Royal College of Art

British Eyewear Talent Showcased in Competition

23rd December 2014 The finalists have been announced for the Eyewear Design Competition organised by 100% Optical and The Royal College of Art. The next generation of eyewear designers will present their creations at 100% Optical in February 2015. Top image: Alice Howard-Graham for ‘Ready to Wear’

 

Hannah Evans design for 'Couture'
Hannah Evans design for ‘Couture’

There are two categories – Ready to Wear and Couture. The judging panel includes eyewear luminaries Lawrence Jenkin and Jason Kirk; Marie Wilkinson from Cutler and Gross; designer Emma Montague; Walter Berwick from Algha Works; and RCA tutors Flora McLean and Heather Holford. The students will make the frames themselves at legendary Algha Works in London, with the help of experienced frame-making professionals.

 

Elizabeth Lee for 'Ready to Wear'
Elizabeth Lee for ‘Ready to Wear’

How do British students envision eyewear for the future? Visit 100% Optical 7-9 February 2015 for insight into what is next in frame design. The winners will be announced at the show. www.100percentoptical.com  www.rca.ac.uk JG

Ski Style

Götti Snow Goggles

28th November 2014  It’s ski and winter sport season! A time for fun, style and safety on the slopes. Ski goggles add a dramatic, dashing accent to ski wear, and Götti’s new snow goggles are the ideal accessory.

 

Über chic snow goggles by Götti
Über chic snow goggles by Götti

Brilliant technical features – including a flexible and resistant matt finish rubber, polycarbonate mirror 400 UV lenses, plus an anti-fog system – ensure lightweight comfort as well as style.

 

Dashing Design and Colour by Sven Götti - Götti Switzerland
Dashing Design and Colour by Sven Götti – Götti Switzerland

The impressive design is available in fabulous colours too – black with blue mirror lenses; white with red mirror lenses; and yellow with shiny gold mirror lenses. www.gotti.ch JG

Sophisticated Greys

Chic  and Refined

28th October 2014 New refining colouration techniques give grey tones a transparent or matt richness that works well with many complexions. Grey has an intriguing history in fashion, music and art. Rembrandt used complex greys in his paintings; in the Eighteenth century, grey was a very stylish colour for men and women; and in the 19th century composer Claude Debussy was inspired by grey tones he saw in a Whistler painting.

Current eyewear collections feature noble variations of grey, including Anna-Karin Karlsson’s striking acetate optical design Stockholm Syndrome (above), with finely textured sides. www.annakarinkarlsson.com

 

Fastens Seatbelt by Suzy Glam
Fastens Seatbelt by Suzy Glam

Fastens Seatbelt by Suzy Glam demonstrates the lovely acetate colour gradations that give grey tones shining luminosity, and features Suzy’s signature beveled grace. www.suzyglam.com

 

Segal by Claire Goldsmith Eyewear
Segal by Claire Goldsmith Eyewear

Segal in Matt Elephant Grey acetate by Claire Goldsmith Eyewear from the CG Lite collection highlights cool, uncluttered design in a contemporary mode. www.olivergoldsmith.com

 

Stranger No. 15 by Adrian Marwitz
Stranger No. 15 by Adrian Marwitz

Pewter Grey Pure Titanium by Adrian Marwitz with a streamlined sculpted frame front is lightweight, and expertly handcrafted in Germany. www.adrianmarwitz.com JG

Winners!

 The 2014 edition of the Hall of Frames/Eyestylist Newcomer Awards celebrates winners from three different countries. Announced in Stuttgart, Kirk & Kirk in the UK was awarded Gold for their entry – Curie – a stylish acrylic design handcrafted in France. Nathanael Wenger, Hall of Frames Director, presented the citation to Jason Kirk. Wenger said: “We congratulate the winners and thank all of our entrants. The opticians had a challenging time selecting the winners with the diverse range of styles, creativity and materials. We wish everyone a bright future.”  Kirk commented: “Karen and I want to thank Hall of Frames, Eyestylist and the opticians for this opportunity. Our concept is to create frames that are a bit different, yet very wearable.” www.kirkandkirk.com

Curie in Sapphire Blue by Kirk and Kirk
Curie in Sapphire Blue by Kirk and Kirk

Cultural and artisanal influences fuse for the Silver winner Vava. A Berlin based Portuguese brand made in Italy, Vava was cited for their sunglass design WL001. www.vavaeyewear.com

 

Vava Sunglasses WLOO1
Vava Sunglasses WLOO1

Parisian Jérémy Tarian received the Bronze award for his streamlined, elegant two-tone acetate design – Madeleine – handmade in France. www.jeremytarian.com

Madeleine in Silver and Cream by Jérémy Tarian
Madeleine in Silver and Cream by Jérémy Tarian

Congratulations to all the winners from Hall of Frames/Eyestylist, and we wish you every success! www.hallofframes.ch JG

Photos for Eyestylist by Katharina Müller Top Photo: Nathanael Wenger, Jason Kirk and Dirk Geismann; Angelika wearing Vava