Design + Inspiration

Independent brands & 100% Optical Online (UK)

17th May 2021

The UK trade event for the optics industry is taking place online on 23rd-24th May 2021 via an invite only platform / independent artisan labels from Italy, Switzerland, UK and USA are highlighted as part of the carefully coordinated line-up which also includes CET accredited sessions

Headlining with a catwalk show filmed in central London, designed to showcase new eyewear lines to an audience of opticians at home in the UK and further afield, the 100% Optical Online will take place over two days. The event is designed to re-connect buyers and brands and encourage opportunity for new meetings and discoveries after difficult months of shop closures and lockdown and cancellation of numerous trade shows. The fair organisers have dedicated energy and enthusiasm to the online format, and exhibitors and participants include a selection of independent labels that shine the light on innovation and design for the Spring/Summer 2021 and Autumn 21 seasons.

On Monday 17th May, 100% will premiere the “100% Optical London Fashion Show” ahead of the fair.

The 100% virtual platform will provide networking opportunities via AI powered matchmaking, meeting request scheduling, video calls and instant messaging. A one-day programme will feature editorially led content in partnership with the AOP, CET accredited sessions as well as brand spotlight videos and interviews.

Above: The independent label Erker’s 1879 from the USA are regular exhibitors at the live 100% shows in London and this year they are taking part in the upcoming online event which will allow a chance to to discover their very latest new styles. Visit the Erker’s 1879 website to preview this heritage brand’s new collections: www.erkers1879.com

This season is all about colour and stepping out with a fresh look: Maplewood at Erker’s 1879, comes in a stunning burgundy tone with gold metal

The distinctive artisan qualities of the Erker’s 1879 collection are highlighted in their new Maplewood spectacles, a combination design in stainless steel with a softly shaped acetate brow line. This type of retro infused design with handmade details works beautifully through the seasons and can be worn will a variety of apparel tones – from a slick black suit to colorful separates.

Among the brands from Italy that will have products to view during 100% online is Luca Gnecchi Ruscone’s prestigious handmade label L.G.R, the ultimate purveyor of high class acetate sunglasses and glasses with beautiful lines, proportions and rich tonal sophistication produced in traditional ways in family-run workshops. www.lgrworld.com

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1984 from Portrait Eyewear in tortoise – the Italian label is distributed in the UK by Framed Eyewear

Portrait Eyewear is a small artistic label from Italy, with a style that is experimental and individualistic. The 1984 glasses come from their Art-Fakt series inspired by retro futurism and based on minimalistic shapes, clean geometries and flat elegant colours. https://portraiteyewear.com

Gotti Switzerland’s collection are a highlight at the 100% annual event, offering versatility, variety and beautiful lightweight comfort. The Swiss brand will exhibit during the event and is one of the highlighted labels in the catwalk presentation. Gotti is a hugely successful brand in the UK, with an aesthetic and colour palette that is subtle, sophisticated and very accessible for all ages. www.gotti.ch

100% Optical Online will take place on 23rd to 24th May 2021. The two day virtual event has been designed to offer an opportunity to opticians and optometrists to reconnect and meet suppliers. Independent brands will be well represented via UK distributors and agents and include the following highlights: Ahlem, Anna-Karin Karlsson, Blake Kuwahara, Booth & Bruce, DITA, Erker’s 1879, Gotti Switzerland, Kaleos, LA Loop, Line Art (Charmant), L.G.R, NW77th, Paul Smith, Portrait Eyewear, + Thom Browne.

A physical event is planned for 22nd to 24th January 2022 at ExCeL London. Find out more at www.100percentoptical.com

Design + Inspiration

Statement acetate sunglasses: Ørgreen Optics

14th May 2021

The Copenhagen brand’s new sunglass styles in acetate offer a fresh, bold style

Exploring new avenues of design and colour, Ørgreen Optics reminds us of the importance of transformative accessories this season, and the potential of a pair of sunglasses to completely update one’s style. Four new acetate styles have arrived in their collection for the season; balanced and timeless yet with enough attitude for the boldest type of customer, the designs are inspired by the company’s city of origin and its most popular neighbourhoods, from Christianshavn to Nørrebro. Above: four new acetate styles are released, inspired by the most vibrant and fashionable localities of the city of Copenhagen

Nørrebro sunglasses in chic Havana with violet end tips by Ørgreen Optics – named after the fashion-forward area of Copenhagen

Nørrebro is a female sun style that plays with the classic cat-eye shape. In all colour variations, the frame features eye-catching colourful end tips in bright neon tones and trendy UV protective sun lenses (see above) that do not completely hide the eyes.

Christianshavn sunglasses by Ørgreen Optics – a post-lockdown timeless treat

A classic male style with a wearable square eye shape, Christianshavn is a fail-safe for all eventualities this summer, combining cool looks and discreet colour mixes that spell sophistication and an effortless style. All Ørgreen Optics frames and sunglasses are designed in Copenhagen and made in Japan.

Find more styles by Copenhagen’s independent eyewear brand at www.orgreenoptics.com

Design + Inspiration

Japanese TVR® anniversary range: The Infinity 8

12th May 2021

An 8th anniversary collection by the Japanese handcrafted label debuts 8mm Zylonite Acetate

An 8mm thick material evocative of old-fashioned glasses, fine Sabae (Japanese) handcrafting and classic solid rivets are some of the highlights in The Infinity 8 collection, an anniversary series – celebrating their 8 years – by Japanese TVR® OPT. In this latest range, TVR® also unveils for the first time the new Japanese hand-carving metal core design also known traditionally as the ‘Tebori’ technique or Japanese engraving. ‘Te’ means ‘hand’ in Japanese while ‘bori’ translates carving; thus the name hand-carving.

The ‘Tebori’ technique was developed during the Edo period when Japanese arts and crafts truly flourished with its own code of design. The technique was employed in various objects including swords, hairpins, combs and many more items. In order to perfect the engraving, ‘Tebori’ craftsmen had to first master the art of making a ‘tagane’ or a cold chisel that acts as a stencil-like tool for the patterns on the metal.

Today, there is only one ‘Tebori’ craftsman in the optical field in Fukui, Japan and a few more in Tokyo focusing on pure gold products including jewelry, watch-making, rings and other gold trinkets featuring the unique hand-carving design. Above: TVR528 French Vintage Panto – colours include clear crystal, Havana and light grey crystal

TVR 527 and TVR 528 : bold and edgy design work

The collection is inspired by the concept of ‘Infinity’. The two designs honour the artistry of French design with a touch of Japanese sensibility. As well as representing the 8th anniversary, the number ‘8’ represents the shape of eyeglasses and is akin to the infinity symbol, and notions of completeness as well as endless abundance. The brand approached these concepts representing what TVR® OPT embodies in a pursuit to revive and preserve true vintage artistry in eyewear making.

This is the first time that TVR® OPT launches a collection using 8mm Japanese Zylonite Acetate. Patented from classic French design with European influences, the respective models are statement pieces of bold, vintage design with extraordinary attention to detail and a subtle yet extravagant finesse. Find out more – www.trvopt.com

Design + Inspiration

Women’s glasses: Diamonds Collection by RES/REI

6th May 2021

An exclusive world of sparkle in acetate, inspired by precious stones

The creative designers at RES/REI – the Italian artisan label, have taken the sparkling effect of precious stones as the central inspiration to their new line of women’s glasses – with the aim of adding a little touch of magic to our everyday. The Diamonds collection features four new models with fronts which bond together three multi-colored acetates. The brand approaches the series with constant experimentation and discovery, unveiling new design details along the way at different points of the frame. Above: model Marquise in green/slate blue/pink

‘Diamonds are forever’: these women’s glasses come in elegant soft pastel hues – pictured, model Princess in grey/orange/pink (left) and grey/green/pink (right)

Attention to detail is a consistent focus of these chic, harmonious styles. An acetate triangle, produced in the same colour as the material used in the central part of the frame front is set into the end of the lens.

Close-up view of the two different colored acetates bonded diagonally on the temple – pictured, model Carat in pink/pink tortoise/slate blue

All the frames have a soft, glistening finish typical of the highest quality Mazzucchelli acetate colours, influenced by the beauty of natural diamonds, with edges and details finished by hand. To find out more visit the RES/REI website at www.resrei.com

Design + Inspiration

3D printed glasses: special preview – Jean-François Rey

3rd May 2021

The French designer is releasing a new experimental 3D SLS printed collection incorporating an innovative material combination of nylon, stainless steel and acetate

A taste of the future characterised by rule-breaking shapes dominates the new 3D printed glasses series from Jean-François Rey. The frames use combinations of nylon, stainless steel and acetate and have airy volumes, open work structures, and quite unusual shapes and dimensions.

Produced in a range of very different looks from minimal to exotic, the collection is created using 3D SLS (selective laser sintering) technology, which offers very wide scope for exploring an unexpected world of shape. Above: model wears a dramatic showpiece in this collection – the JF2947, with a 3D front that has multiple layers

3D model JF2945 – a classic round shape takes on a new dimension

JF2944 – a 3D printed rim with a textured surface which changes the look and feel of a classic round

The JF 2945 model takes the classic round eye shape, and adds a further rim to either side, a construction that is both surprising and eye-catching, while the clean simplicity of the JF2944 (above) takes on its slightly more outgoing personality with the addition of a twisted 3D printed surface following the eye rims. To find out more about this exciting release at JF Rey this week, visit www.jfrey.fr – an exclusive preview by Eyestylist.com.