Design + Inspiration

Accessories of the season: Diffuser Tokyo

4th May 2023

The Japanese brand adds cases using a soft, durable ‘tech suede’ to ever-developing collection of accessories

Diffuser Tokyo has developed new eyewear case designs for the season in a combination of artificial suede and natural leather. The attractive unisex ‘sacoche’ style – which has been designed to be worn around the neck, is designed to carry eyewear, accessories or even a smart phone. Above: the new ‘sacoche’ design by the accessory innovators, Diffuser Tokyo – pictured in light Blue, light Pink and Beige

‘Sacoche’ style by Diffuser Tokyo – pictured in a natural dark brown

The design features a strong, adjustable multi-colored cord (125 cm in length) and comes in six colours including soft pastels and natural tones of black and brown.

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The new case design from Diffuser Tokyo, offered in two sizes and a fresh yet restrained colour palette, which includes Black, Red Purple and White with a natural colored lining

The latest more traditional eyewear case to be released by Diffuser Tokyo has a classical shape with front fastening and is made from a combination of leather and ‘ultrasuede’, a high-quality artificial suede which is used in car interiors and bag and shoe design; this material has the advantage that it does not mark easily. The stylish design comes in two sizes, to suit a wide selection of typical frame sizes, including oversized. Find out more at www.diffuser-tokyo.com

Design + Inspiration

Trend alert: decorative eyewear makes a return

27th April 2023

EYESTYLIST EXCLUSIVE TRENDS – Frames with a jewellery finish and a more decorative ‘maximalist’ style are making a return…we found four that shine with elegance and glamour – an elevation for personal style

In a period of eclectic style, where minimalism and maximalism exist side by side, an opulent jewellery trend has caught our eye, with floral embellishments or pearls, Swarovski crystals and stones such as lapis enriching sunglasses and eyewear with individuality and style. Some brands have long been experts in these treatments, with a history of decoration and ornamentation within their lines, drawing on artisan expertise and the possibilities of limited editions and decorative effects achieved exclusively by hand. Above: informed by nature: the Iris, an iconic design from ProDesign, has been reissued for the 50th anniversary of the brand – the frame has an original flower temple detail. In the first edition the frame was produced in stainless steel; today the frame has been created exclusively in titanium – www.prodesigndenmark.com

Crystal by Vera Wang – produced by Kenmark Eyewear

At Vera Wang, where the eyewear collection follows a tradition of beautiful and often exotic embelishments featuring Swarovski stones, the latest collection includes the sunglass model Crystal, a cat eye shape with the crystal detailing creating an eye-catching flourish on the front. The frame comes in a glamorous selection of tones which include blush (above), olive and tortoise. www.kenmarkeyewear.com

Galilea by Sospiri® – a frame that celebrates a jewellery finish with minute Swarovski inlays

Among other collections we have noticed in the new sunglass model Galilea from Sospiri® by Ottica Veneta, a design with intricate details inspired by the luxury of Venice. The model comes in a spectrum of nine different shades, each frame exhibiting a harmonious blend of vivid new colours from lapis to opal. Over 150 striking Swarovski crystals adorn the frame from its front to its temples, creating a shimmer effect from every angle. Sospiri frames are produced by Ottica Veneta® | Eyewear from the Mountains of Italy, a small and wholly independent US company offering a limited edition production, 100% handmade in Italy. www.sospirieyewear.com

Jewellery effects at Marni by RSF – model Zion Canyon

Marni’s new collection produced by Retrosuperfuture includes the sparkling Zion Canyon, an oval shaped sunglass frame with a highly decorative and playfully elegant forward-looking design, embedded with sparkling blue-tinted decorative stones. For more information visit www.marni.com

Design + Inspiration

Article One: expanding the ACTIVE collection

18th April 2023

For sports, this is one of few collections to merge tech with a qualitative vintage-inspired style

Article One is extending its one of a kind ACTIVE collection which delivers performance eyewear with an artisanal approach and style. The US label has added three distinct styles, bringing its athletic category to 12 models. In line with its ethos to challenge traditional performance eyewear aesthetics, the new Avalon, Bancroft and Hoffman sunglasses have the appearance of fine quality lifestyle frames, but are engineered with innovative, technical features needed for sports or outdoor pursuits.

Avalon from Article One – performance details are built-in

The new Avalon, Bancroft and Hoffman frames include the technical features of Article One’s entire ACTIVE Collection, engineered with hexetate – a patented acrylic resin that allows for improved flexibility, enhanced shape memory and added durability – and constructed with CR39 polarized lenses with backside anti-reflective coating to block 100% of UVA/UVB rays and prevent road glare. The frames also boast the brand’s signature adjustable nose pads, rubber temple tips and spring hinges.

Moon (above) inspired by 1950s sunglasses, and the new Emeline and Avalon – Article One ACTIVE

Each of the brand new styles has three frame options ranging from the classic tortoise, modern crystal and several patterns that create depth and texture. Paired with a range of protective polarized and non polarized lenses in eye-catching colours like pink ombre, gold, deep blue, grey or black, technical perks also include the backside anti-reflective coating to block 100% of UVA/UVB rays and provide effective protection from glare on the road. To find out more about Article One at www.articleone.com

Design + Inspiration

Diffuser Tokyo: cord collection extended

10th April 2023

The Japanese accessories label has introduced its latest designs including a series of new elegant cords

Diffuser Tokyo expands its elegant eyewear accessories collections with a broad choice of pieces made in Japanese materials, with colours and designs informed by Japanese culture and art. Among them are new silk Sumi glasses cords are produced in the colours of Japanese ink paintings. They come in shades of light blue, red and olive green, as well as natural tones of white and brown. Above: a delicate and luxurious colour palette and soft, tactile materials at Diffuser Tokyo – handmade styles for Spring/Summer 2023

Silk Sumi Glasses cords – the cords have a smooth texture, and come in delicate colours

Sourced in Japan, the brand uses brass for the metal parts of the silk sumi cords which are branded with small lettering like fine, handmade jewellery. These precise details that make these items a perfect pairing with high quality, artisan eyewear.

In addition, the metal chains introduced this season, produced also in brass, come in silver, black or gold. The composition of the chain has a luxury jewellery finish which is eye-catching from many different angles.

Diffuser Tokyo accessories are stocked by some of the world’s finest optical boutiques in Japan, Europe and the USA. The brand is a regular exhibitor at the Paris trade fair, SILMO and will return there at the end of September. Their range of accessories includes chains, cords, natural leather and suede cases and eyewear holders to store several frames at one time. A new discreet eyewear ‘sacoche’ produced in artificial suede has also been introduced to the line.

To read more about the brand visit our interview with the founder, Masaki Hirose at https://www.eyestylist.com/2022/05/diffuser-tokyo-masaki-hirose-on-handmade-accessories/ Find out more about Diffuser Tokyo at https://diffuser-tokyo.com

Design + Inspiration

Shield sunglasses: Walter Van Beirendonck collab

7th April 2023

The Antwerp fashion designer continues collaboration with the eyewear company, KOMONO

Walter Van Beirendonck’s collaboration sunglasses edition has expanded with new models called UFO and Alien, futuristic bold frames made from bio nylon. A mix of black renditions alongside new neon colours including a vibrant green, take this line in a new direction with the particular signature bridge that covers part of the wearer’s nose (also a feature of the Otherworldly super sized frame) running through the styles. Above: backstage at Walter Van Beirendonck – featured frame the supersized Otherworldly which launched in September 2022

Walter Van Beirendonck Runway (above) and ALIEN and UFO sunglasses

The Alien sunglasses are futuristic in style with a wraparound slightly 90s “extra-terrestrial inspired”‘ look. The UFO sunglasses have a rectangular oversized shape with a reflecting lens in a deep gold tone, black or white/orange. The new styles can be worn with a thick statement silicon cord. Images by kind permission of Komono and Walter Van Beirendonck. www.komono.com