Design + Inspiration

Rolf Spectacles: natural focus

24th September 2020

Virtual products showcase A classic car – the Vauxhall Velox – informed the design of the new walnut Velox style in Rolf Spectacles’ Evolved collection. The car, which was in production from 1948 to 1965 was a large family car with a design that mirrored North American styling trends of the time with tail fins, swathes of chrome, and wrap-around front screen.

Velox in the Evolved collection by Rolf Spectacles

With its subtle curves, the distinctive Rolf style is available in four different wood combinations. These highly researched natural and sustainable woof materials offer a wealth of benefits including comfort and durability and the designs feature a unique wooden hinge free from screws and metal parts.

The Rolf Spectacles’ Evolved collection is known for exclusive design, natural materials including wood and stone and a detailed precision in handcrafting to produce timeless, one-of-a-kind designs which are made to last. The label has been awarded numerous design awards including most recently the Muse award for its smoked larch and cherry frame called “Lark”.

MIDO 6-8 February 2027. Welcome to Eyewearland

LOFT Santa Monica Show October 16th and 17th

Product: Velox in the Evolved collection Brand: Rolf Spectacles Website:www.rolf-spectacles.com Contact address: [email protected]

About the Eyestylist virtual products showcase: the Eyestylist virtual products showcase offers a unique launchpad for new avantgarde, artisan or luxury eyewear and sunglass products – through Autumn 2020. The showcase is an initiative designed to connect Eyestylist readers and specialist designers in the absence of international trade fairs + launch events due to the Coronavirus pandemic. For more details email [email protected].

Design + Inspiration

Erker’s 1879

22nd September 2020

An historic label with an evolving modern style

Virtual products showcase The US heritage brand Erker’s unveils its new models in the Trumpet collection, a much anticipated frame series which upholds the distinctive style and handcrafted finish of this family-owned brand, born in Saint Louis, Missouri. With its range of materials which include stainless steel and high density acetate, a wide palette of colours, and shapes that evoke a respect for tradition and craftsmanship, the technical precision of these products has been refined to maximum effect for a well-balanced and comfortable fit. Above: Model wears model Busch by Erker’s in crystal – a style which is described as “fitting like a glove”. The model combines an acetate front and stainless steel temples

Convy in the Trumpet Collection by Erker’s – in navy/gun: classic with a touch of modernism

Among the noteworthy products here for the new season is model Convy in the Trumpet collection; the style has a thin, metal, modified square shape with a bold, acetate brow line and is part of this line dedicated to a classical yet revolutionary design aesthetic inspired by Miles Davis and his extraordinary virtuosity in music. According to the Erker’s family, this completely fresh, one-of-a-kind expression has been an underlying inspiration for the company, and its “trumpet logo” defines this spirit, a reminder of the brand’s geographic location in Saint Louis, birthplace of Miles Davis and home to some of the world’s most outstanding jazz and blues, since the early 1900s.

Cedric by Erker’s in brown: beautiful colorways and distinctive features

Cedric: A larger rectangle with a key hole bridge, the Cedric frame is created is a strong material to achieve a thinner yet noticeable fit; this hand polished frame features Erkers’ traditional hallmark rivets on the temples.

Davis by Erker’s in silver: a durable, modern stainless steel frame

Model Davis, from the Trumpet collection, with its pared-down stainless steel rim, has an interesting shape that fits a wide range of faces and is very flattering on the wearer.

Family owned Erker’s Eyewear began in 1879 and grew into a global eyewear design and manufacturing house at the forefront of innovative optical design and craftsmanship. The company describes itself as “the oldest optical company in the United States” and is still owned by descendants of founding father, A.P. Erker and brother, August. The label has recently become available in fine eyewear boutiques in Europe.

Products: Busch, Convy, Cedric, Davis Brand: Erker’s 1879 Website: https://erkers1879.com Contact address: [email protected]

Design + Inspiration

Blackfin: titanium edge

21st September 2020

Virtual products showcase Titanium models Hoover, Greenport and Crosby are among a selection of products announced this month at the Italian label Blackfin. The frames represent a new offer for the Autumn/Winter 20/21 season comprising 10 styles – seven in the Blackfin One line and three featured shapes in the Razor line. Above: Blackfin’s Timeless Memories campaign in 2020, shot on location at The Great Cretto, in Southern Italy

Model Hoover by Blackfin – distinguished titanium design

Model Hoover features large rims, and a lively colour palette of bold, fresh colour combinations. Find the frame in dark blue/Venetian red, metallic bright blue/matte black, blue/glossy silver (above) and a smart classic black with gunmetal grey/glossy silver.

Model Greenport by Blackfin: for those who love a minimal metal style

A squared frame in matte or metal pastel colours (they include gunmetal grey + metallic bright blue/matte black) Greenport is part of the Razor collection of streamlined 1mm thick titanium designs. The shapes are informed by distinctive retro traits.

Model Crosby by Blackfin: statement style

In the Blackfin One line, model Crosby is a large round panto with a thick front rim. The colour choices are typical of Blackfin’s Italian styling. The expressive combinations of gunmetal grey/metallic bright blue, dark graphite blue/matte red and army green/mauve green are particularly eye-catching.

Products: Crosby, Hoover, Greenport Brand: Blackfin Website: www.blackfin.eu Contact address: [email protected]

Design + Inspiration

Fleye Copenhagen: Elements of Art

18th September 2020

Virtual products showcase From the Elements of Art collection by the Danish label, models Hilaro and Marianna are testimony to the company’s fondness for the arts, translated into wearable designs with a clear focus on exceptional detail.

“Elements of Art” is a tribute to the Danish museum; Thorvaldsens Museum – the first of its kind in Denmark. The characteristic museum was built to exhibit the work of the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) and offers outstanding experiences in art and archictecture – where brightly colored walls, richly decorated ceilings and mosaic floors are a backdrop for Bertel Thorvaldsen’s marble and plaster sculptures, capsuled by the high-seated light. Above: Model Hilaro by Fleye Copenhagen

Model Hilaro by Fleye Copenhagen in pure white: the semi-rimless frame has a light, slim almost floating silhouette

A trip to Thorvaldsens Museum led to the inspiration process the collection, leading the design team to experiment with molding, reflecting the preliminary process of creating the marble sculptures, and putting it into a present-day context. Rather than molding in clay and cast, the designers began creating soap in various forms, colours and patterns from Thorvaldsens Museum. The geometric blocks of soap were stacked on top of each other, creating art sculptures and visions for the frame designs.

The graphic art sculptures inspired the designs in the “Elements of Art” collection. Solid block colours and intriguing patterns from the museum have been directly transferred to new colorways and engravings in the eyewear designs, as well as patterns and transparency created by light reflections.

Marianna: Elements of Art by Fleye Copenhagen – complex study and research led to a collection inspired by the Danish museum, Thorvaldsens Museum

Marianna by Fleye Copenhagen: in ‘stone brown spotted’

Products: Marianna and Hilaro from the Elements of Art Collection Brand: Fleye Copenhagen Website: https://fleye.dk Contact address: [email protected]

Design + Inspiration

Sustainable eyewear: neubau

17th September 2020

Virtual products showcase Design glasses reminiscent of works of art – for autumn in to winter, the striking eyewear models by neubau eyewear, from Austria, combine conceptual ideas with expressive design and sustainable materials: oversized, round styles meet unique 3D embellishments while 60s-infused models bring an air of sharp, upbeat design.

For these eye-catching avantgarde accessories, the Austrian eyewear label is focusing on materials and technologies using the sustainable, synthetic material naturalPX. Models by neubau eyewear also feature 3D embellishments made using resource-efficient 3D printing technology.

Inspired by the French Riviera of the 60s, the special edition Côte du Soleil adds three head-turning styles to the neubau eyewear collection. These models are made from natural3D, derived 100% from castor oil and printed with 3D- technology.

Product: Sarah sunglasses and Walter+Wassily sunglasses Brand: neubau Website: www.neubau-eyewear.com Contact address: [email protected]

About the Eyestylist virtual products showcase: the Eyestylist virtual products showcase offers a unique launchpad for new trendsetting avantgarde, artisan or luxury eyewear and sunglass products – through Autumn 2020. The showcase is an initiative designed to connect Eyestylist readers and specialist designers in the absence of international trade fairs + launch events due to the Coronavirus pandemic. For more details about taking part, email [email protected].