Design + Inspiration

New releases: setting the agenda for timeless, comfortable designs in recycled marine plastic

In a climate that continues to make sustainability a more pressing priority in fashion, independent eyewear label Sea2see is achieving notoriety as eyewear’s eco disruptor, wherever it goes. As well as their social enterprise initiatives in Africa for the collection of waste – creating a new source of income for local communities – the brand has recently launched a special edition ‘Chinook’ Collection of sunglasses supporting @searchingforchinook – an initiative to protect the last 72 Southern resident orcas. Sea2see also works closely with leading retailers around the world to promote their “seastainable” values and initiatives for recycling marine plastic…among them is the Canadian chain New Look Eyewear whose latest campaign for Sea2see features the vegan activist and eco influencer Jessie Nadeau. Above: New Look campaign with Sea2see: Jessie Nadeau wears model Verona 03 by Sea2see. Photo courtesy of New Look Eyewear. www.newlook.ca

A keyhole bridge detail gives model Murano a distinctive retro design in line with the trend for timeless styles. The frame has an oval eyeshape with a thick rim. Colours include matte black (above), blue and matte havana.

The intellectual round shape model Santorini is a new entry in the autumn/winter line and comes in a choice of bold colour combinations of red/blue or retro-inspired classics such as black or tortoise (pictured).

Sea2see’s contemporary, lightweight, robust frames are made from the company’s own recycled material deriving from marine plastic and collected by Sea2see’s initiative – established in Europe and West Africa over the last four years. The collection is made in Italy and is now available worldwide through independent retailers and leading chains such as Synsam in Scandinavia (www.synsam.se) and  New Look in Canada (www.newlook.ca). Find out more and see the new models online at www.sea2see.org

It’s coming up to one year exactly since our visit to the creative studio of Thomas Lafont and Lafont Paris HQ in Issy-les-Moulineaux, a leafy south western corner of Paris near Porte de Versailles. This elegant, personal and historic world of creativity continues the traditions set by earlier generations since 1923, and Laurence and Philippe Lafont, Thomas’ parents before him. In their place of work, brothers Thomas and Matthieu Lafont, now the custodians of the business, are surrounded by fine books and arts and textile inspiration, as well as the rich and colourful archives of the esteemed French family business. Above: at the entrance of Lafont Paris, an explanation of the making of Jupiter, one of the label’s iconic P3 frames. This wonderfully classic frame style continues to be available – and is updated in a range of colorations.

A year on, the latest Lafont frame creations, launched this September (at the Paris edition of Silmo Outside the Walls), are a reminder of Thomas’ dedicated creative work, highlighting a unique interest in textiles and how texture, pattern and playful colour combinations can be achieved in fine acetate. Model Hirondelle explores marble-like patterning with a bi-colour front in delicate complementary tones.

Model Halley is the latest Lafont style in a line of rich and exotic animal print creations, each one bearing the signature artisan qualities of the fine materials, studied combinations and exquisite ‘made in France’ production so dear to the house. Lafont Paris is celebrating its 40th anniversary.  To find out more, visit their website and blog at www.lafont.com

Supersize styles in confident colours, from the UK design label

The colours just keep coming at the British eyewear company, Kirk & Kirk, whose latest additions in the Centena collection offer extra large sizes in bright, exciting statement colorways. The Kirks say that they are responding to a demand for larger sizing (adding eye sizes 59 and 60) with, in models Angus and Guy, an elevated choice of bright acrylic translucent tones – beyond the mainstream styles in brown and black. Above: Model Guy in the Centena collection. This square and angular men’s frame has a distinguished double bridge detail and thick temples. These frames come in a choice of ten technicolor tints.

Model Angus has a square eye shape with flat brow line. Created in acrylic in small traditional spectacle-making factories in France, the frames are very light to wear. By using a 10mm thick material the frame has the extra advantage of hiding “even the most challenging of lens prescriptions” to ensure a strong fashion vibe as well as real comfort. Read about the latest updates here https://www.eyestylist.com/2020/09/kaleidoscope-of-colours-kirk-kirk/ and find out more at www.kirkandkirk.com