Design + Inspiration

Summer showcase: VUE DC and the beauty of volumes

27th June 2023

The latest collection at the French brand, VUE DC offers fantastic sculptural shapes and colours with a bold energy

Original, bold and loud in volumes, French independent eyewear brand VUE DC continue to put to work the intrigue of a 3-dimensional, art informed eyewear style, with metal and acetate styles “carved like sculpture”. The styles play with depth and light to create curves and volumes – high-impact bevels elevating the every day into art. Above: MAN, a new version of an aviator in 6mm Mazzucchelli acetate, and M12, a beautiful oversized metal variation of the DUC frame by the brand

M12 and M13 by VUE DC – the colour palette includes bright primary tones and more classic subtle colours

Models like M12 and M13 are examples of how this sculptural style can be represented in metal, with a stylistic creativity like that of the acetate frames and exciting colours with the brand’s signature handmade raw and matt finish.

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PAN by VUE DC – an example of the stylistic feel of the acetate eyewear collection by VUE DC

Oversized, angular and with fine details – the 3 traditional style rivets appear on both sides of the front of the pantos inspired PAN frame – the model combines soft curves and angular surfaces in a design that experiments with volumes and colour, transparency and light.

The VUE DC collection is made exclusively in Oyonnax, France. To see the complete collection visit https://vuedc.fr

Design + Inspiration

Radford x SALT. Optics: limited-edition technical eyewear

23rd June 2023

Radford and SALT. Optics have come together to produce an high-tech limited edition eyewear collection this year, and the results are exciting

SALT. Optics – the Californian eyewear label – have a brand new collaboration that we can’t wait to see close up: the eyewear company has joined with Radford Motors to produce two limited edition sunglasses (each available in four unique colours). The designs are the result of a careful study into automotive eyewear of the past, carefully evolving that heritage by manufacturing with the highest quality materials available today: Japanese aerospace grade titanium – a material type which provides excellent strength to weight ratio, giving bold frame structures a featherweight feel.

“We wanted to explore the intersections of automotive, pop-culture and eyewear heritage. We looked at key moments in both racing and pop culture…” SALT. Optics

RADFORD x SALT. Optics – the new collaborative sunglasses are highly technical – model RS-600

The titanium is hypoallergenic and is engineered to maintain excellent optics. The SALT. team explain that the proprietary titanium thickness transitions and bevel placement provide stability where it is needed most, securing the lens in the frame. This means that any stress from the frame is not transferred to the lens, greatly enhancing the optics for driving.

Radford x SALT. Optics – stunning details have been developed for this edition of two sunglasses – the automotive-inspired side shields are also produced in titanium

SALT. also brings its proprietary lens offering to this refined and luxurious product, with the aim of offering optimised vision and a balance of colour, contrast and light transmission proposed as an ideal combination for driving.

The two Radford x SALT. Optics models – RS-500 and RS-600 – have been produced exclusively in Japan. Radford Motors Type 62-2 inspired the colour palette, including the Limited Edition John Player Special (JPS) and the gold leaf colours are Pantone matched to the cars. The frames come with a genuine perforated leather case with velvet interior and custom eyewear cloth.

About Radford – Radford Motors (originating from the British Coachbuilders of the same name, created in 1948) has been reignited by former world champion F1 racing driver, Jenson Button, car builder/TV host Ant Anstead, and businessman Roger Behle. In 2021, they launched their first car, the 62-2, inspired by the Lotus Type 62 Racer. Find our more at www.saltoptics.com / https://radford.co/

Design + Inspiration

Trends: zesty orange, a colour to love

13th June 2023

The citric orange tones are fresh, confident, powerful, extroverted and always vibrant for the complexion – it’s time to try a frame in your favourite orange hue…

A colour with a fascinating history, orange is a tone that attracts attention, associated with energy, fruit, nature and a certain power. Always mood-enhancing in eyewear this season, designers have explored its vibrancy and visibility in a spectrum of orange tones that are deliciously joyful, uplifting and bright. Above: The Kirk and Kirk colour palette always features a striking orange: pictured, model wears Percy in the Centena collection – www.kirkandkirk.com

Ornette by l.a. Eyeworks – inspired by the colour of the Persimmon fruit

Model Ornette by l.a.Eyeworks combines big frame shaping with compelling colours, of which the punchy orange tone ‘Persimmon’ perfectly reflects the natural brightness of the Japanese fruit. www.laeyeworks.com

J.F. Rey: PA100 – a bright orange patterned front with contrasting temple tone

From the Petite Collection at French label J.F. Rey, designed for smaller face shapes, the PA100 model combines metal/acetate, in a lively and colourful combination – the bright orange tone has a vibrant repeated pattern effect through the acetate material on front and temple ends. www.jfrey.fr

Model Shark by Ørgreen Optics, a matt orange with matt flame – a striking eyewear choice for the season for men

A confident stainless steel shape from Ørgreen Optics, model Shark in the HAVN collection is a bold masculine frame. The colour is described as matt orange / matt flame, and is super intense. Find our more about the colour palette of the Shark model at Ørgreen, by clicking on the link: https://orgreenoptics.com/eyeglasses-optical-stainless-shark

This article was written by Eyestylist.com. Copyright protected.

Design + Inspiration

Lunettes Alf: recognition for preserving tradition and craft

9th June 2023

The French artisan brand has received prestigious recognition from the French Ministry of Culture

Artisan eyewear designers Lunettes ALF are among the final 20 selected companies to be awarded a government grant via the French Ministry of Culture’s Mode 2023 ‘call for projects’, announced in the last days. This is regarded as a prestigious financial accolade in France for companies with a focus on creativity, artisan design and craftsmanship in the fashion arena – where French traditions are being preserved and evolved with style and excellence. The companies receive a financial grant for brand investment and development within their unique project.

Lunettes Alf: a18.05.003 – handmade in France

“We are excited to be recognised for our participation in the influence of French fashion through creativity and commitment…it means a lot to us, having decided to introduce a French-made glasses brand with the ambition that we would revive the tradition of fine French eyewear….” Lunettes Alf

Lunettes Alf produce small batch eyewear collections with a refined and timeless elegance, and 100% commitment to the ethos of “Made in France”, with many steps conducted as tradition requires it, by hand. The label is a small and highly sought after one, offering timeless and iconic eyewear shapes, studied through a passion for the eyewear of former years. Find out more at www.lunettes-alf.com

Design + Inspiration

Summer showcase: Leimann luxury

7th June 2023

A rising French-made luxury label with a contemporary Parisian sensibility – new sunglass styles in the men’s collection revealed

Leimann Eyewear, a rising name in luxury frames, has created limited edition frames for the season, including a men’s selection of sunglasses that strike a note of elegance and modernity, for a very discerning man. Custom blending exclusive “noble” materials including fine-jewellery alloys which they say have an unexpected lightness and durability, the statement shapes for men range from oversized acetate to thin rimmed metals where much consideration is given to detail, colour subtleties and the matching gradient tones of the lens. Above: an example of a limited edition metal design by Leimann Eyewear, the LEIM V style has a rectangular eye shape which is softened with rounded corners; a hint of a more lavish luxury style is visible in the nose bridge design. The frame is made from one single piece of metal and has filigree engraved temples

Make a bold male statement: Leimann Eyewear model LEIM X11

Original and powerful in its design, the LEIM X11 frame has a large yet wearable square shape produced in a smart 8mm thick acetate material with a sturdy metal core and fitted with sun lenses created in a thermoplastic recyclable material with anti-reflective and hydrophobic treatment as well as 100% UVA/UVB protection.

LEIM X11 by Leimann Eyewear: the frame comes in several colours including smoked crystal or matt black

About the brand: Created in 2020, Leimann Eyewear is an independent Luxury Eyewear brand producing limited edition, handmade frames for men and women in France from noble materials and alloys which have been researched to offer an unexpected lightness and durability. Each model is conceived by revisiting the iconic lines of high-class vintage eyewear and bringing them up to date with particular attention to detail. As part of French tradition and know-how, Leimann frames also aim to magnify the style and personality of the wearer. Photography above by @guillaume.malheiro.

Find out more about the collections at https://leimann.fr