Design + Inspiration

Lafont Paris celebrates an impressive 100 years as fine eyewear ‘maison’

One of the leading independent eyewear brands from France, Lafont Paris is celebrating 100 years of family history and a unique trajectory from a small Paris optical boutique to a world-renowned eyewear house.

Lafont was first created by Louis Lafont in 1923, the year that saw the opening of a now iconic optical store in the historic rue Vignon. Establishing its name as an optical boutique offering fine optical frames and sunglasses, in the 1980s, Laurence and Philippe Lafont changed the course of the family business with the design of their own unique frame, the iconic Genie. Above: the interior of the historic rue Vignon boutique, which remains open to this day, and which, in recent years was extended to house the Lafont artisan production of bespoke, made-to-measure eyewear

Today, the sons of Laurence and Philippe – Thomas and Matthieu – the fourth generation of the Lafont family, continue to head the Maison Lafont, with a bold commitment to independence as a primary pillar of the brand.

The Lafont brothers are also building upon the eco-responsible direction of their family company for the future, while, at the same time, ensuring that the contemporary Lafont style remains colourful, original and decorative, steeped in history and the authentic chic style of Parisian design. Follow the latest news about the company at www.lafont.com

An eyewear collaboration to benefit G.L.I.T.S / the frame is a bold, thick oversized aviator style produced in transparent acetate in three colours, designed for everyone

Ahlem has launched a collaboration edition with proceeds going to G.L.I.T.S (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society), an NYC-based nonprofit providing TLGBQIA and BIPOC individuals with access to healthcare and housing services. Along with increasing awareness about G.L.I.T.S., the collaboration between the eyewear brand and the stylist Jorden Bickham seeks to communicate a message of solidarity and promote equal rights for all humans, regardless of situation and background. Above: portrait of Frances Coombe by Soraya Zaman

The campaign for the collaboration represents powerful portraits shot by photographer Soraya Zaman and features an interconnected social network within the New York City LGBTQ+ community including Creative Director Jorden Bickham, Ceyenne Doroshow (the founder of G.L.I.T.S.), Rachel Lee, Richie Shazam, Frances Coombe, Marcelo Gutierrez, Angel Prost, Dee Harper and Jahlove Serrano.

The new edition is available at www.ahlemeyewear.com

The eyewear company Woody’s has opened a new HQ in Vic, Catalunya / the building is sustainable and fuses design, personality and functionality 

One of the latest independent eyewear producers to take a step forward in initiating a bold and sustainable footing for their company, frame company Woodys have opened new premises in a building with three floors and more than 3.000 square metres. The space is part of a commitment by the company to improve services and express the values of the brand. It also represents a reflection of the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

“The new headquarters …allow us to advance and improve….it’s a charismatic and attractive place ready to continue growing….”

The new building, which features interiors created by the brand’s own creative team, is designed to reduce environmental impact and ensure greater energy efficiency, adopting a respectful and responsible architectural approach through the installation of solar panels for energy supply and the use of geothermal energy for air conditioning. It is also a welcoming space with bright colours, plenty of light, and interesting details.

Attributes include wide open spaces, a trendy colour palette with shades of pink-orange coral, bright yellow and bold turquoise blue, a showroom with light wood flooring and natural light flooding in, and brightly coloured contemporary furniture, more typical of a home environment than an office, across its different floors.

The pivot towards a more sustainable existence and identity among independent eyewear companies is already an ongoing trend in the optical business. The Woodys House represents further evidence that corporate sustainability and future-oriented projects in this area are increasingly desirable and appealing for those who are looking to future benefits, profitability and all-round success for their company and creative teams.

Beyond the obvious Pantone colours, subtler tones in the eyewear palette for Spring work beautifully for diverse skin tones, with varieties which mirror the most subtle and chic fashion looks of the year…we found tones of white, coral, natural green, sea-inspired blue, light brown and taupe…

Designers have introduced light, wearable chic tones for Spring/Summer, alongside the bold palette of colours that continue to encourage self-expression and unique style. Among the new proposals to note are fresh varieties of coral, a colour which fits perfectly with the timeless trends in fashion and a palette of white, neutrals and timeless classics. Above: White and Coral: at the French label, VUE DC, the Mia style comes in two important tones of the year: a stunning ‘milky’ white and a natural fresh coral colour (www.vuedc.com)

Erkers1879 describe their lightweight Dutchtown sunglasses as comfortable, stylish and made to last. The Brown Crystal tone is an interesting alternative to more sombre, darker hues, introducing a delicate, and softer fashion-oriented look with the transparent translucent finish. – www.erkers1879.com

Green and blue tones and subtle varieties are fast evolving in the eyewear collections, with fresh mixes in fine acetate which offer a beautiful clarity and definition of colour, well suited to natural skin tones. RES/REI’s Spring Summer 2023 acetate frames are multi-laminates which explore combinations and sometimes many subtle tones in one single frame. www.resrei.com

The Spanish label Kaleos has introduced fresh green tones and variations of nude and taupe into their line for Spring/Summer – a close reflection of new fashion colours and a style mood that is minimal, clean and rooted in a timeless aesthetic for simple, pared down shapes. The neutral colours and taupes in eyewear tend to suit warm skin tones and hair colourings, but the obvious rules don’t always apply so it’s best to try on a variety of frames in the colour to find the best variation and combination for each unique complexion.

The Spencer frame by SALT. Optics is a good example of how the colour palette evolves for the season. The timeless Spencer frame is available in this pretty pinkish tone and taupe as well as a very light smokey grey. Find the frame at www.saltoptics.com

Watch this space for new colour trends!