Design + Inspiration

Oscar Mamooi: daring splendour

3rd March 2020

The Iceland Collection by Oscar Mamooi: seven outstanding new frames with a bold design, original combination of materials and ‘gleaming’ textures which replicate the beauty of ice – each frame is named after a track by Bjork as a homage to the singer.

Irregular shapes, conceived as a reflection of the connection between man and nature characterise new eyewear work by Italian designer Oscar Mamooi – launched this month. The frames replicate the unexpected, unpredictable forms, structures and jagged edges of icebergs and glaciers, contrasted with the smoothness and tactile experience of pieces of ice. Above: model Unison in the Iceland collection

Oscar Mamooi model Unison: an elongated cat’s eye – rigid and angular lines

The designer has explored advanced technologies and techniques such as hot pressing, creating ad hoc moulds for every single part of the frame. “These parts are then compressed to create the acetate, giving life to surprising volume effects,” says Mamooi.

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Oscar Mamooi – Utopia – sunglasses collection 2020: “For those who dare…”

Oscar Mamooi is a multi-talented designer/stylist and illustrator. His love for eyewear dates back several years; in 2014 he designed the Celebration Collection, a tribute to Italian journalist and fashionista Anna Piaggi. See the Iceland Collection at www.oscarmamooi.com

For more about Oscar Mamooi visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2014/09/anna-piaggi-fashion-influential/

Design + Inspiration

New angles

27th February 2020

Angles, edges, corners. An articulated architectural style. Multi-sided, multi-faceted or softly layered. Whatever will work for you this season, we’re noting a choice of dramatic details and design flourishes defined by geometric lines and clean-cut silhouettes.

Above: SOL SOL ITO sunglasses photographed by Nina-Maria Glahé. The frames are made from high-quality acetate with hand-polished surfaces and all elements processed and refined with painstaking care. www.solsolito.com

The new proposition from Mykita and Helmut Lang offers a deconstruction of a wraparound sunshield with several component parts. The HL002 is curvilinear and fluid with a strong angular style for the design of the temple and side – the model is pictured above in white/silver flash sides with silver flash lenses. For more details visit www.mykita.com

Essedue Sunglasses model 488: Spring 2020 release

Launching this week for the Spring/Summer season the new Essedue range of sunglasses includes hexagonal designs (model 488) and chunky shapes with visible bevelling to create a strong dynamic structured frame design. On-trend colorations include the delicate coral above and some vintage inspired tortoise tones – see more shapes at www.esseduesunglasses.com

Design + Inspiration

Milan Fashion Week – February 2020

24th February 2020

Anything goes is the mantra for 2020 in the women’s sunglass collections. In Milan this weekend, blue skies brought out plenty of eyewear chic on the street outside the shows, and a pleasing breadth of designs to pair with outfits and accessories with pride, purpose and precision. Popular styles included the large square-ish tortoise frames, a variety of mini and maxi rimless styles, very large iconic visors, and a consistent fondness for the 1990s looks. Above: Outside the shows at Milan Fashion Week: Mandy Bork wears oversized visor / Fendi FW20. Photo: Gennaro D’Elia / Eyestylist

Vintage-love: Chloe Lecareux in rimless butterfly sunglasses with black tuxedo suit – *photo by Gennaro D’Elia /Eyestylist*

Vintage-infused styles were popular paired with miniature bags, and a predilection for boyfriend shirts and suits came dressed up with a variety of sunglass statements, from very feminine cat’s eyes to 90s micro “blackouts” which shield the eyes with purpose from the sun (and the cameras).

@mascarada.paris in vintage-look tortoise sunglasses

Fashion blogger “Mascarada Paris” wears quirky oversized sunglasses, a multi-colored top and super baggy boyfriend trousers. (Photo by Gennaro D’Elia/Eyestylist).

Oversized acetate or the classic round and rimless

A good mix of classic eyewear or vintage-infused shapes in Milan suggests that anything really goes this season! See more of our photos from Milan, Italy on our Instagram page @eyestylistmagazine. Photography by Gennaro D’Elia exclusively for Eyestylist. All rights reserved.

Design + Inspiration

Savile Row, London

21st February 2020

Eyestylist returned to Algha Works, London – the home of classical British eyewear

Behind the memorable doors of Algha Works, an historic artisan eyewear factory now surrounded by new builds and wastelands in the East End of London, are some of Europe’s most highly skilled craftsmen and women, making spectacles the traditional way, through years – in some cases decades – of dedication to the meticulous craft.

The building itself has stood the test of time. In 1940, a bomb exploded just outside on Smeed Road and it was described as a miracle that Algha Works – and its extraordinary collection of German-made machinery and specialised tools survived. Today, within the factory’s distinctive graffitied walls, lies a complex artisan operation that remains much as it was in the ’30s, historic and infused with a deep heritage which has brought it consistent recognition and loyalty from customers around the world.

Classic Savile Row: The Beaufort with Windsor rim

Preserving the most classical forms and constructions, delicately tweaked for the contemporary wearer, each of the Savile Row rolled-gold styles today continues to be produced in the old fashioned manner with numerous steps to achieve a final “bespoke-finished” product. Model Beaufort exemplifies the ultimate signature panto shape of the Savile Row collection, worn by a host of well-known faces such as Harrison Ford (as Indiana Jones) and Johnny Depp. Typical of the styles in the line, the frame comes in a choice of gold or rhodium with a choice of colour for the Windsor rim, typically black, chestnut, tortoise or blond. https://savileroweyewear.com/retailshop/beaufort

Elegant, distinguished style: The Panto gold

The Savile Row Panto is unequivocally a star in the collection, worn famously by John Lennon as well as Eric Clapton (the Diaflex Panto version). Engravings, which elevate the unique finish of these retro-infused spectacles, can be applied to parts of the frame such as the bridge (illustrated above) – the operation to create such a delicate and ornate patterning is precise and requires particular expertise – using the very same machines that were brought from Germany many decades ago. Link to The Panto online: https://savileroweyewear.com/retailshop/panto For more details about Savile Row Eyewear visit www.savileroweyewear.co.uk

Eyestylist returned to Algha Works in January 2020. For further details about previous visits to the factory, visit https://www.eyestylist.com/2014/01/british-eyewear-heritage/

Design + Inspiration

New season at Falvin Eyewear, Denmark

18th February 2020

A sensual soft style evolves in new designs at the luxury brand

The Danish eyewear designer, Birgitte Falvin points to the sensual finesse of her handcrafted frames for Spring/Summer 2020. “A Nordic ambience infuses our new designs, pure and streamlined,” says Falvin. “The Premium Collection unites this mood with precise details, superb Japanese quality and skillful craftsmanship.” Above: Danish model Marina Ohm wears model Venus; photography by Henrik Adamsen.

Patrycja Walczak wears model Uranus by Falvin Eyewear, in delicate rose gold

Falvin’s unisex aviator shape, Uranus, is sleek, sophisticated and commanding in its expression of quality – ideal for all activities – both sports and professional. The structure is oversized with a dramatic square-ish eye shape to suit men and women. The colour choices are typical of the brand with uniquely inspiring luxury pairings which include mat onyx with mat black gold or mat topaz with 24 carat gold.

Sensual silhouette: the new model Venus by Falvin Eyewear with precious rose gold

The soft, sensual form of frame model Venus is interpreted with a light construction, satisfyingly comfy fit, and a striking matt and shiny finish to symbolise charisma and subtle personality. FALVIN offers the additional possibility of a fully customised design, decorated with sparkling Wesselton diamonds. The brand works in close collaboration with a distinguished Danish jeweller to create the jewellery encrusted frames with a luxurious and compelling expression of individual style.

FALVIN’s exciting new eyewear designs include models Venus and Uranus. The frames will be available at international stockists from Spring 2020. They will show at the trade fair in Denmark: Copenhagen Specs March 7/8. Find out more at www.falvineyewear.com