Design + Inspiration

Repair + recycle: TimeFrame

10th August 2020

UK start-up TimeFrame, created in lockdown, proposes bespoke frames made from old stock and restoration of vintage specs

A new project by a UK dispensing optician – created in lockdown whilst on furlough from his regular work – offers customers a bespoke sunglasses design, made from pieces of old, unused, upcycled or vintage eyewear. Elliot Carey says that alongside repairing special vintage eyewear finds from the past, he is creating one-off designs using pieces of unwanted spectacle frames that the owners would otherwise throw away.

The limited editions sunglasses are fitted with new UV protective lenses with a choice of colours and tints – depending on the requirements of each client. Above: old eyeglasses reconfigured into new “Frankenspex” designs – the styles have a Gothic-infused style and finish

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TimeFrame: Repairing old unique pieces of vintage eyewear

Carey has also sourced a selection of unique vintage frames, some of which he will reconfigure for his clients, who include individuals with a love of vintage eyewear, theatre companies, and people who just want to recycle their frames and use them again.

Vintage frames, sourced online on Ebay and similar sites

With plans to expand the bespoke service and create designs inspired by architecture and design details in his local city, Carey is confident that demand for his handmade recycled styles will increase as the fashion industry resets its focus towards a sustainable agenda. A one-off bespoke design without a huge price tag is an attractive proposal to a young 20+ age group especially for those, according to Carey, with a passion for upcycled fashion and a desire to recreate their perfect specs and give them a new lease of life. To find out more visit www.ebay.co.uk/usr/timeframer90

Design + Inspiration

Gemma Styles: second collection launch

5th August 2020

Available exclusively at Baxter & Bonny from 7th August 2020

Fun yet classic, with focus turned to sustainable, energy-efficient production as well as charming, easy-to-wear design, the second capsule by Gemma Styles and Kenmark Eyewear is announced with a further 5 timeless shapes, in youthful colours including honey, watermelon and caramel. Styles says she focused on the longevity of the shapes, making sure they could be loved and enjoyed by their owners for years to come.

“The Young Ones” – a petite acetate cat eye – pictured above in carbon: “The inspiration for this shape was a photograph of my grandma from the early 1970s” says Styles.

Gemma wears own design, *The Young Ones* in watermelon

Continuing the theme of the first collection, each sunglass is named after songs from Styles’ personal favourite playlist that embody the look and feel of the frame. Gemma also wanted to give back to a cause near and dear to her heart, mental health.

‘Don’t Stop’ by Gemma Styles x Kenmark – in Caramel – 10% of proceeds will be donated to mental health research

To do so, she created a special ‘Find the Light’ style (‘Don’t Stop’ in Caramel) specifically to donate 10% of the proceeds to mental health research. It was important that this style had a positive song association.

The first line created as a collaboration between influencer/writer Gemma Styles and Kenmark Eyewear launched in 2018 with four styles. The new sunglass designs are available exclusively at www.baxterandbonny.com from the official launch date of 7th August 2020. For more information about Kenmark visit www.kenmarkeyewear.com

Design + Inspiration

Trends: bold, dazzling statements

1st August 2020

While small-scale brands enjoy popularity among consumers who seek authenticity, quality and style, these labels are also seeing more and more opportunity to propose bold statement designs, with interesting colours and a more individual look, even in these times of global pandemic.

Certainly, growth in timeless, unisex classically oriented specs and sunglasses is expected where economic recession looms, and a desire to play things safe may become the status quo. However, smaller independent labels continue to tell us that their specialist designs – those that offer a different more unique style focus, are still very much in the running when it comes to current purchasing trends. Some have even cited lifestyle changes such as our continued use of Zoom – where the camera hones in on the upper body and face – as precipitating a trend for more adventurous specs choices and a shift toward colour and more impactful, memorable shapes.

Above: SOL SOL ITO model 048 offers a new interpretation of a 70s square eye shape in daring tones of red, hippie gold or blue – the sunglass style is eye-catching for its novel shaping but also for its beautifully curated colour palette – if wearing with a mask then coordinate colours carefully. www.solsolito.com Photo by Hans Hansen

Model Regumbo by l.a.Eyeworks: no-ordinary round shape – the inner rim features a “floating” lens mount

For an unforgettable statement, the bold signature shaping of a floating lens mount is the eye-catching focus of the Regumbo by l.a.Eyeworks – a frame that is as extraordinary as it is aesthetically exciting. The dazzling colour choices range from the classic black to a soft delicate powder pink and absolutely adorable patterned ‘Merry Mix’. Visit www.la-eyeworks.com

Reflect Eyewear – AF17 Newquay in Coral Red – made in Italy and featuring Italian UV protective sun lenses

Elongated narrow 90s inspired sunglasses have been around for a while now and are still a staple for Gen Z. The colourful versions which offer a funkier spin (AF17 above by Reflect Eyewear) are a particularly desirable statement-making style accessory this summer with growing appeal for all ages and sexes. The Newquay comes in black and coral red – and has decent UV protective lenses at a very competitive price. Find more 90s inspired shapes in this genre for men and women at www.reflect-eyewear.com

Design + Inspiration

From France: Kley’s, lunettes françaises

27th July 2020

A neo-retro artisan collection of frames by a Toulouse optician/designer

A small roster of young French artisan brands are making waves in Europe, several of which are the work of independent opticians, combining their technical knowledge and passion for their work with a love of design and handcrafted traditions of making spectacles – passed down through generations.

Kley’s lunettes françaises is a label by Simon Bousquet, a French optician from Toulouse. “I was looking for an original design for an acetate frame, and the Kley’s nose was born!” he told Eyestylist. “With this design, the optician can adjust the nose fitting and increase the comfort to fit each face. Each style is named after a member of my family…”

Above: Dany Sun by Kley’s – every frame has the distinctive adjustable acetate nose fitting

Model Pilar by Kley’s: handmade and 100% produced in France – the label exhibited at SILMO for the first time in 2018

The style of the collection is a delicate mix of a retro look with contemporary lines defined by slim, light stainless steel temples – and a fine, balanced, timeless colour palette. Elegant and characterful, the subtle yet distinctive nose fitting is combined with other artistic features: a very small delicate design at the temple in metal – described as “un clin d’oeil” or “blink of the eye”, a sign that links with the words which form the name “Kley’s” : clé (key) in French, and from English, “key” and “eyes“.

The Kley’s “family” of frames is made in the Jura (France), each design engraved with the words ‘Produite en France‘ on the temples. An authenticity card is also provided to show the provenance of the product. Today Kley’s is available in a handful of exclusive boutiques across France including L’Oeil de L’Odon (Aunay sur Odon), Colombette Optique (Toulouse), Lunetterie Laurent (Nimes) and Le Comptoir de la Lunette (Beauvais) to name a few. Look out for this label in future! To find out more visit www.kleys-eyewear.com

Design + Inspiration

Hall of Frames (HOF), Zurich 2020

18th July 2020

The annual Zurich eyewear fair at Papiersaal + Folium (Sihlcity) is confirmed for 13-14th September 2020

European optical events update: As the optical business continues to see cancellations of some trade fairs, it’s a heart-warming pleasure to see our friends at the Hall of Frames, Zurich fair confirming their dates for September 2020, in Switzerland. The friendly, intimate atmosphere of this event presents a popular setting for opticians and brands alike. Reuniting industry representatives soon after the summer and bringing together new releases and new innovative concepts in eyewear by specialist independent designers is always an important element of the Hall of Frames show and is likely to be an even greater draw for visitors this year, as the European optical business gets back on its feet after difficult months of crisis, closure and lockdown.

Hall of Frames, Zurich: an informal and convivial atmosphere and an ideal opportunity to review new independent collections and meet the designers, face to face

After more than 10 years, HOF Zurich has established itself as a platform for independent opticians and eyewear designers in Switzerland, and owes much of its success, say the organisers, to a constantly evolving format. In particular, the fair has brought together and strengthened the “alternative” market for spectacle frames in the region. This year HOF has announced a new partnership with Reize Optik with the Nikon ‘lens’ brand and a new collaboration with Dynoptic (www.dynoptic.ch/de), a network of 100 opticians from across Switzerland.

For the trade: opportunities to engage with retailers and independent designers, both well-known and emerging, in the beautiful city of Zurich (HOF)

Hall of Frames has been officially recognised for its ecological footprint (www.saubere-veranstaltung.ch). This year, all emissions will be calculated and offset via ‘myclimate.org’ making the fair the first event of its kind in optics which is practically carbon neutral.

Exhibitors at the 2020 HOF event in September 2020 promise new designs and new announcements: confirmed brands include Coblens, Didier Voirol, Einstoffen, JF Rey, Kypers, Mykita, Nirvan Javan, YOU MAWO and Orgreen Optics. For more details and to see the full list of exhibitors visit: www.hallofframes.ch – opening hours at the 2-day event are: 13th September 2020 – 10 to 1800 / 14th September 9 to 1600. This article was written by Clodagh Norton, Eyestylist.com – all rights reserved.