Design + Inspiration

Following the announcement by the Toulouse based eyewear company Anne & Valentin of the passing of Anne Valentin on 24th January 2023,  Eyestylist pays tribute to one of the eyewear industry’s inspirational creative talents.

Born in December 1953, Valentin was co-founder of the eyewear label Anne & Valentin. “The pair followed their intuitions, their desires, with a unique shared vision inspired by their love of art and of artists,” said Sylvie Jicquel, President and current owner of Anne & Valentin, who took over the brand under Anne’s guidance and tutelage. “When I met Anne in 2010, I discovered a woman of true character and charisma. There was always something radiant about her, an astounding strength…her talent, her sure taste, her ambition and her determination have inspired me since.”

Valentin was a talented creative who was hugely admired across the eyewear business when the brand shot to fame as a leading independent French label and proponent of unique, artistic eyewear styles, which quickly gained a following around the globe. In an exclusive interview in 2012, she told Eyestylist in her own words how the business first started (2012):

“It just happened one day, from a desire to break with boredom….
 A first collection made as beginners, then another, then another, until beautiful objects appeared: great eyeglasses! For over fifteen years, we have been designing them, constantly renewing our shapes and colours. Convinced that uniform grey is nobody’s dream, and that this profession is a pleasure only if it is accompanied by some spirit with lots of heart. Today, our brand Anne & Valentin is available throughout Europe, in the United States, Canada, Korea, and Japan…in the most innovative boutiques of the world…..”

Eyestylist pays tribute to Anne, a true artist of the frame. We extend our deepest sympathy to her friends and family around the world. Eyestylist interviewed Anne Valentin in 2012. To read the interview visit: https://www.eyestylist.com/2012/10/anne-valentin/

A new line from the Brazilian eyewear brand explores inspiration from sailing rafts and their lateen sails typical of Ceará State in north east Brazil

A new line featuring sunglass shapes with statement sculpted structures and a bold colour palette has been launched by Lapima, a luxury eyewear brand from Brazil created by Gisela and Gustavo Assis.

Taking inspiration from the sails, in particular the lateen sail, used by Brazilian rafts, the creative director of Lapima, Gustavo Assis, has created eight new eyewear models that play with duality: on the one hand the rigidity of geometric lines and on the other the malleability and softness of the materials with which they are made.
The defined, almost rigid features of the sails are visible in the two most iconic models in the collection, Antonia and Stella, and are reinterpreted throughout the line. Above: the Vela collection by Lapima, launched Spring 2023

The distinctive style of the surfaces, in organic cellulose acetate, replicates the lightness of fabrics while the colour palette takes its inspiration from the state of Ceará, in the north-eastern region of the country, where the sails of the boats are particularly striking. From the colours of the horizon, and tones of red, orange and amber, to the deep ocean blue of the Atlantic, the frames offer a bold and charismatic Spring/Summer feeling from a brand that has become well known for its quality and unique and imaginative style. www.lapima.com

To find out more about Lapima read our interview from 2021 at www.eyestylist.com/2021/03/lapima-brazil-gisela-and-gustavo-assis/

The London fair takes place this month from 25th to 27th February 2023 – a record number of independent eyewear labels will be taking part 

100% Optical is gearing up for an action packed event in London, with the biggest line up of brands the show has ever had, and predictions for an attendance in excess of 10,000 professionals from the optical world. The fair is attracting more independent eyewear labels to the event as exhibitors in 2023, including innovators like Vava, Nina Mûr and Erkers1879 and brands from across Europe, such as Nirvan Javan, Tree Spectacles, Orgreen Optics and FACE A FACE. Newcomers include two British labels, the fabulous multicoloured frame line by Danielle Rattray from Scotland and bio sunglasses from FFIN Eyewear designed by Anna Lewis from Wales. The choice of independent brands will represent the diverse design styles, material variety, individuality and quality focus at this end of the market – as well as a palette of colours with a lively energy for Spring. Previews of the collections showing suggest bold, uplifting colours, statement Spring infused design features and plenty of innovation – particularly in the field of sustainable materials – will offer plenty of inspiration and interest for the coming season. Above: The US independent eyewear brand Erkers1879 (Studio Optyx) will return to the show this year – they have recently added four new sophisticated sunglasses styles in their Roman Numeral V Collection

The Love Eyewear Awards by 100% Optical have become a highlight for brands attending the event. The awards feature 12 categories in total and the shortlist has already been announced; frames such as Kirk and Kirk’s Horace style (Men’s frame of the year category), a wonderful brightly toned statement acrylic design, l.a. Eyeworks model Palapa (Women’s Frame of the Year category) and Ffin Eyewear (New Designer of the Year category) shortlisted for different awards.

Vava are heading to 100% Optical for the first time, offering an opportunity for British retailers to explore a design-focused collection with a bold and committed approach to sustainability and many fascinating collaborations in its repertoire, including exceptional limited edition designs with the Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma.

Nina Mûr produces innovative handcrafted sustainable eyewear in natural wood. The collection for 2023 includes a new sun line called ‘Constellations’ with “geometric and polished lines” which will be a highlight for 100% visitors interested in sustainable design.

Götti BIONIC will show at 100% for the first time. This new sustainable line from the Swiss eyewear designers is based on reduction and simplification. The 3D printed frames are produced in a sustainable bio-based material made from castor bean seeds. The eyewear has been systematically pared down to the front piece and a pair of temples, with no additional screws or other aids used for the hinge.

The Italian brand Tree Spectacles has been well received in the UK in the last years. Their latest Translucency collection will be shown by The Exclusive Eyewear Agency at the 100% fair.

Morel will show their latest collections which include classic metal and combination styles in the Original line where archive designs from the 1950s have been reissued and beautifully interpreted to replicate the elegance and style of French eyewear icons of the past.

For those interested to view independent eyewear collections at the fair, find here a check list of some of the premium independent and creative collections not to be missed: Bird Eyewear, Danielle Rattray, Woow (Design Eyewear Group), FACE A FACE, Erkers1879, FFIN Eyewear, Götti Switzerland, Jisco, Kirk and Kirk, Morel, Nirvan Javan, Nina Mûr, Orgreen Optics, Sea2see, SALT. Optics, Tree Spectacles Struktur Eyewear, VAVA Eyewear and Vysen, among others.

100% Optical takes place from 25th to 27th February at ExCel London. The event is trade only. The Love Eyewear Awards will be presented on Saturday 25th at 5pm on the main Catwalk at ExCel. For more information and to register visit www.100percentoptical.com