Design & Inspiration

The London event spotlighted the great variety of eyewear collections and design and emerging labels available in the UK, alongside highlighting sustainable developments in eyewear…the event is the UK’s leading showcase of all things optical

Record attendance (11,725 visitor attendance) at the event through three days, a buoyant atmosphere and highlights from a variety of independent brands as well as licensed brands, the 10th edition of 100% Optical provided a thorough overview of eyewear trends and directions in 2024 as we head towards the Spring/Summer season.

Eyestylist observed many of the new themes evolving for Spring/Summer. Bold bright colours continue to reflect the different colour palettes coming through in fashion, and particular focus on colours like, green, red and bright blue. Examples of other luxurious tonal palettes and beautiful finishes of all types were also on view, as were new proposals where colours are combined in lively, characterful ways. Eyewear collections are now full of extraordinary variety, with many different materials available, as well as many interpretations of classic looks, contemporary design styles and trendy shapes – with interesting inspiration and creative design ideas. Above: model Matics by FACE A FACE – part of the fascinating Japan Now! collection, inspired by Japanese designers and culture – FACE A FACE is part of Design Eyewear Group

Among the latest highlights at Woow Eyewear (Design Eyewear Group) were the bright tones of models designed to bring out a carefree mood with a “dose of positivity and good vibrations.” Model Super Soul 1 expresses that playful mood, with combinations of colour and materials that are carefully finessed.

ROLF had an array of new styles in wood, 3D printed material and stone. The Indy style is part of the evolved collection, complementing the 128 series with its small dimensions for smaller faces.

The Dimension collection by Götti Switzerland is produced by means of state-of-the-art additive manufacturing, at the Swiss brand’s HQ in Zurich. The styles benefit from many interesting properties, from extreme comfort to aesthetic qualities.

Among the sustainable brands exhibiting at the show this year, Sea2see (www.sea2see.org) presented a collection which continues to exhibit the advancements in materials produced from marine waste. Styles such as model Atlantic have simple wearable shapes produced in ‘seastainable’ material with patterns and a variety of finishes.

Also notable were the small creative brands exhibiting at the fair: Nina Mûr from Madrid, Danielle Rattray from Scotland, and the accessories brand KODES (UK).

This year the 100% x RCA competition featured 10 finalists who exhibited their creative designs at the event. The winner was Joy Julius, who presented “Stack”, a piece inspired by the vintage optometry trial lenses design. The project  was conceived to enable users to layer their glasses to customise them, combining different frame styles – and personalising them to reflect their individuality. 100% Optical returns to Excel London on 1st-3rd March 2024. For more information visit www.100percentoptical.com

Eyestylist Exclusive: VAVA takes influences of industrial aesthetics and electronic music to next level with VAVA’s acid tones in the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, an expression of late 1980s/90s House Music, its boundary-pushing culture and art 

VAVA Eyewear finds new inspiration in electronic music and Acid House this season, with colours in the SS24 collection informed by a multitude of sources related to the music genre and movement with its club and rave scene.

By juxtaposing the fluorescent-look hues against sleek modern frame designs, VAVA aimed to create a visual tension that is both captivating and forward-thinking – and perfectly on cue as eyewear designers continue to amp up the brightness of their boldest colours. Above: VAVA Eyewear signature acid green square-shaped sunglasses – BL0034 – a tone inspired by the Acid Techno Smiley Face, the iconic symbol of the rave and flyers and art works of the Acid Movement

The neon colours are informed as much by artists of the time such as Keith Haring, New York pop artist, and  Jeremy Deller, the English conceptual, video and installation artist as by Chicago and Manchester in the late 80s – and the Haçienda, the nightclub and music venue in Manchester, England, which became famous during the Madchester years of the 1980s/1990s. Run by the record label Factory Records, the club opened in 1982, eventually fostering the Manchester acid house and rave scene.

Acid House was known for its unique squelching or chirping sounds created using the iconic Roland TB-303, also called the “303”, a bass synthesiser which was discontinued in 1984, but soon highly sought after second-hand.

VAVA’s new pieces in acid colours are part of a collection of frames which is divided into three main themes, each one with advanced technology at the foundation of the concept and the construction of the designs. To find out more click on the Eyestylist link: https://www.eyestylist.com/2023/09/silmo-paris-preview-new-innovative-design/

VAVA Eyewear will exhibit in New York at the trade-only independent eyewear event LOFT, Hudson Mercantile, from 14th to 17th March 2024. www.vavaeyewear.com

Eyewear trends – Blue tones have taken on fresh appeal in eyewear for the 2024 Spring/Summer season coming up, with playful combinations, pale and dark choices, and translucent and opaque tonal variations adding nuance to the palette ….

Flattering blue tones have caught our eye this month. The latest collections we reviewed at Mido in Milan this month made a feature of an interesting variety of blue colour stories with a definite influence from glowing catwalk tones where different blues were paired together, and light turquoise and dark elegant navy were just as popular for a Springtime re-fresh. Above: Policromie from Lamarca Eyewear in Italy: a men’s collection which plays with elegant inserts and transparencies; two blue tones are combined gracefully in one design – model 140. https://lamarcaeyewear.com

OGI Eyewear’s beautifully named Lady Slipper “butterfly” design is named after a Minnesota flower. The Blue/Blue robin tortoise colourway is on point in the delicacy of the blue tones selected in the combo – a colour pairing that highlights a blue flecked tortoise with an artistic touch on the brow. www.ogieeyewear.com

Produced in acrylic with Alpaca temples, the Mia sunglasses at Kirk and Kirk offer a sleek statement cat’s eye design. The Royal tone of blue featured has an attractive delicately opaque finish. www.kirkandkirk.com

The Otaru style in the Icons collection at Gigi Studios expresses a classic timeless design style in bio acetate. The frame comes in a choice of colours including this masculine blue variation, which has a crystal translucency. https://gigistudios.com

Bright turquoise and tranquil teal tones are also in vogue for the summer. The Ambos style by Retrosuperfuture is a good example, elegant, playful, and designed as a modern twist of 1950s attitude. The frame is available in this playful turquoise blue toned acetate with a contrasting burgundy lens – for a fashionable twist. www.retrosuperfuture.com

The curves of the delicate model Reeds at FACE A FACE are inspired by the aesthetic of reeds originating from a Japanese landscape. A fine, sharp line of constant width runs from the eye to the endpiece, giving this design its delicacy and rigorous crafting. Meanwhile the blue colour scheme is highlighted with a coral line around a section of the rim. www.faceaface-paris.com Watch this space for more details on trends and directions in eyewear. This feature was written by Clodagh Norton at Eyestylist.com. All rights reserved.