Design + Inspiration

Spring Selections

25th February 2015

Eyewear with Springtime Style

25th February 2015 Spring is in the air! The perfect time to shop for new frames, and Eyestylist has discovered many beautiful designs in luxurious materials and colours. Among our favourites are: “Inter” (photo above) by ROLF spectacles is from the new “evolved collection” – the perfect symbiosis of wood and stone in unique colour combinations. The frames are ultra-light with pure lines, all handcrafted in ROLF’S Austrian atelier. ROLF was recently named winner of The German Design Award 2015. www.rolf-spectacles.com

Chic Little Black Frame - Charlie by Stevens Eyewear — Chic Little Black Frame – Charlie by Tom Stevens Eyewear

Women know the power of the LBD – Little Black Dress. Now Tom Stevens Eyewear, produced in The Netherlands, has crafted the indispensible LBF – Little Black Frame. Created in Mazzucchelli silky acetate, Charlie is pure and uncluttered, definitely a sleek, modern classic. www.stevenseyewear.com

Pretty Spring Florals - Rosita by Lafont Paris — Pretty Spring Florals – Rosita by Lafont Paris

Florals are massive fashion news, and Lafont Paris has designed one that truly blooms. Rosita boasts cheerful floral tones in spring colours that highlight the frame front, which is then accented with a curvaceous pale pink metal trim that extends to the temples. Welcome spring with this charming design! www.lafont.com

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

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

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

Bold, Blue and Beautiful - Anton by Oscar Magnuson — Bold, Blue and Beautiful – Anton by Oscar Magnuson

Swedish designer Oscar Magnuson’s latest shape is strong and finely tailored. With Anton, Magnuson brings bold form to the aviator style with a design that reflects past influences, combined with modern flair and craftsmanship. Beautifully polished monochromatic deep blue Mazzuchelli acetate enhances this dynamic frame. www.oscarmagnuson.com

A Frame with its own app - Cosmo Duo 19 by Benner Eyewear — A Frame with its own app – Cosmo Duo 19 by Benner Eyewear

Daniel Benner has introduced an exclusive acetate frame colour titled “Mysterious Madness” – a cornucopia of exotic colours accented with a striking red bar across the bridge. Cosmo Duo 19 in Mysterious Madness is available for a limited time only in all-existing Cosmo Duo models. Benner has also announced a free iPad app that shows all possible combinations, and frame measurements. More information at www.bennereyeweardesign.com JG

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A Worthy Cause

30th January 2015

Zoobug Joins Orbis to Prevent Child Blindness

30th January 2015 The little Ethiopian lad above smiles delightedly because he is able to read. He is among the fortunate children who have benefited from the initiatives of Orbis, the international eye charity that works to prevent and treat avoidable blindness, particularly in children. Eye surgeon, Dr. Julie Diem Le and the founder of the award winning British brand Zoobug, commented: “We have been looking forward to working with Orbis and supporting their initiatives for improving eye health care, and the availability of much needed trachoma treatments for children in Africa.”

Retro styling for youngsters: STOMP by Zoobug

Orbis and Zoobug are united in their objective to raise awareness of the global issue of childhood blindness, which is an enormous challenge to developing countries. Saving or restoring a child’s sight depends on early detection, the quality of the treatment and the follow-up care received. Orbis also operates the Flying Eye Hospital, which is a fully equipped mobile teaching hospital.

Eyewear chic for the young set - MIMI in Natural by Zoobug — Eyewear chic for the young set – MIMI in Natural by Zoobug

Dr. Le founded Zoobug with a strong message about eye protection for children and safety in the sun. The designs for youngsters combine fun, fashionable styles that children love, plus desirable colours and clever details. www.zoobug.com www.orbis.org JG

Design + Inspiration

Trend watch: the natural progression

12th January 2015

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.

Petri in Amber Flame, new from Kilsgaard

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

Design + Inspiration

All eyes on Munich

6th January 2015

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

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

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

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

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/

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100% Optical and Royal College of Art

23rd December 2014

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