The Austrian brand – Rolf Spectacles – who have pioneered the production of fine wood and horn spectacles made through a precise balance of technical innovation and time-honored artisan techniques, since 2009, is adding a new material to its collections in 2020.
The label, which has also developed its own unique collections using stone and 3d printed titanium is now adding a line made from a natural plant-based material taken from a species of the Euphorbiaceae family (commonly known as spurge), with exciting sustainable credentials.
“The plants are grown in tropical climates without any kind of genetic engineering, they don’t compete with food crops, and they can grow very tall, very quickly: where a spruce or a beech will only grow a few centimeters taller every year, this remarkable plant will shoot up six metres in just four months, and it comes back every year,” explains company founder and visionary Roland Wolf. “This makes the new material more sustainable and kinder to the environment than ever – and the perfect foundation upon which to build a new collection of glasses…”
www.rolf-spectacles.com
Interview: Linda Tol, TOL Eyewear
Amsterdam-based blogger, model and influencer Linda Tol lives life in fashion’s fast lane. Her own-brand eyewear collection is the embodiment of her fresh, elegant, unpretentious personal style. Eyestylist spoke to her in an exclusive interview during lockdown.
What is your earliest memory of fashion? I grew up in a village nearby Amsterdam. Together with my younger sister. I grew up with fashion. My mum has a deep interest in it and I guess it rubbed off on me. Growing up, she loved to dress us kids for school. It looked like it was our birthday every day.
When did you begin your journey / career in the fashion industry? Before I started blogging I worked in Fashion PR. Many stylists and journalists supported me to do something with my style. A blog was the perfect way to share my love, passion and inspiration for beauty and fashion. After 3 years working for the PR firm, I decided to start my own company and LindaTol was born.
What are your thoughts on the “influencer” industry and social media platforms as we know them today? Social networks are the biggest source of inspiration. Billions of us are using social media platforms every day. We use it for every part of our lives. In our personal relationships, for entertainment, at work and in our studies. Social media changed the way we communicate. It’s changing the way we do business, the way we are governed, and the way we live in society. Social media is real. Influencers share their personal life, experiences and stories. And people relate to influencers.
When you’re looking for a particular item; clothing, bags, accessories – what, for you, are the 3 most important attributes to the item / the brand it is produced by? 1/I invest in timeless pieces: wardrobe investments 2/Quality over quantity 3/I ask if it is environmentally friendly production?
Does quality / lasting wear for you have an influence on purchasing a product? Yes. For me it’s really important to invest in a piece. I only buy products that are timeless and the quality is really important to me. Quality means it lasts longer. It has a different value for me.
What is your stance on environmentalism and sustainability in the fashion industry and in day to day life? Shop less, Collect better – be mindful of your consumer habits – shop Brands That Prioritize Sustainability.
Do you think there’s a similar need for accessories to become sustainable? Not really a need. But the idea behind TOL Eyewear is to invest in a timeless pair of sunglasses. A pair of sunglasses you buy and wear for many years. It’s a luxury product.
How would you describe your own style / and how has it developed over time? Style is all about personality; it’s an expression of your individuality, so if you don’t feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, then it won’t feel authentic. My style is quite diverse, but it’s always really recognizably me. When I was younger, I used to try a little bit too hard – I’d wear too many crazy prints or statement pieces all at once – but in recent years my look has become more sophisticated. Now, a typical outfit for me is a pair of boyfriend jeans and a T-shirt, but I’ll finish it off with some super-girly slingbacks. Comfort is the most important factor for me when I’m piecing together a look, so I live in denim.
If you could choose one only one category of accessory to wear, what would the category be and why? Hard to choose between bags and sunglasses. I love bags. In the same way that different types of bags define your personality, the way you carry them defines it too. It’s practical. I love sunglasses because they are the finishing touch of the look. They make me feel strong and powerful. I also wear sunglasses in winter. It’s an attitude. They make people feel confident.
When did TOL Eyewear present itself as a potential business prospect? From the moment we proposed the project to the Italian factory who produces TOL Eyewear. They believed in the project from the very beginning.
What are your plans for this collection? We have so many ideas in mind. Our dream is to become a successful global brand.
If any, what is the mission statement / brand motto for TOL and it’s future customers? TOL is an Amsterdam based design studio with an international approach to eyewear and fashion that is overseen and embodied by myself and Marieke Meulendijks. All our work derives from a deep interest in fashion, contemporary art, interiors, architecture and people. Above all, every story and every project begins with the creation of a new emotion.
The brand’s mission is to reach a fusion between creativity, technical innovation and traditional craftsmanship. This allows them to offer eyewear characterised by high quality materials and the typical excellence of Italian manufacturing. This combination of innovation and tradition is the principle that inspires us to create and design for TOL.
On a personal level, what is your feeling towards this current period we’re living through – a pandemic, self isolation…how do you keep busy and mindful? It was not easy in the beginning. Staying positive is very important. I try to create a routine for myself. I wake up around the same time every day. I get dressed and get my make-up done every day. I plan meetings (via Zoom) and try to create as much content as I can for my personal account and TOL Eyewear.
What would be your advice to young fashion creatives looking to work in the fashion industry? Stay true to yourself and ignore the critics.
Find out more at www.lindatol.com.and @lindatol_ on Instagram. To purchase the sunglasses visit @toleyewear (available from July). Interview by Victoria G. L. Brunton for Eyestylist.com. All rights reserved.
Peoples from Barbados: the captivating Bajan way
Jalicia Nightengale wears PFB
A vision of sun-drenched island vistas and fabulous colours, Peoples from Barbados eyewear by Alicia Hartman returns to inspire uplifting reflections for the future with new photography by Jaryd Niles-Morris, and Barbadian model Jalicia Nightengale.
Accompanying the imagery, and for the first time, the brand is publishing poetic words dedicated to the precious community from where it draws hope and inspiration – by the travelling street poet, Kevin Devaney.
“If the future that you are gazing towards is as bright as the Bajan sun, remember, it is a star and you are too, Peoples from Barbados” Kevin Devaney for PFB Eyewear
Peoples from Bardados eyewear lives and breathes the beauty, colour and spirit of the Bardados community. Produced exclusively in Japan, the eyewear collection highlights an extraordinary versatility in design style. The collection has grown to a complete set of 10 models, incorporating styles for men and women. PFB13, worn by Nightengale in the new shoot, is created in a pastel shade of mysterious purple pink acetate with glamorous grey undertones, finished with a high-end Japanese polishing technique to reveal a graduated shiny to matt finish across the surface. https://peoplesfrombarbados.com Find your PFB style at Alicia Hartman’s online store: www.eyeqstylistopticians.com
Eyewear stores / Centro Ottico Bastia: Insta personality
In the third and final recommendation in our series on creativity on Instagram this week, meet Chiara Veronese @centro_ottico_bastia, a young Italian optician and designer with an eye for style and curated imagery.
Chiara Veronese’s IG profile @centro_ottico_bastia is colourful, personal and full of fun and glamour. With a background in art and graphic design, Veronese took over her father’s optical store in 2016, and has a special passion for independent creative design. “After graduating from the University of the Arts London in 2011 I studied to be an optician in Italy,” she told Eyestylist. ” Today I’m the owner, the manager, the creative, the cleaner: I’m a one-woman band!”
With posts that visualise the beautiful chic style of the shop, as well as Chiara’s personal edit of eyewear, design, fashion and accessories, a few very elegant selfies are also highlighted as part of the styling of this page, demonstrating the unique qualities of the frames in store.
“My IG inspiration is always connected with independent brands and creative individuals,” she says. “I follow many accounts on travel, design and ceramics, and I have a soft spot for Japanese photography and architecture. I’m very attracted to one-off projects, collaborations and hybrid design (useful vs beautiful).”
Asked how she’s faired in lockdown, she says she has tried to see it as a chance to explore creativity within the limits of her home. “For IG I’ve been using only what is immediately available and mundane, everyday objects and settings. I also had the opportunity to experiment with my first, rudimentary posts via IGTV.” Via Veneto 54, Loc. Bastia, 35030 Rovolon PD, Italy. Find out more about Centro Ottico Bastia at the new website: www.centrootticobastia.it
Nina More: Insta inspiration “from the heart”
In our special series about creativity on Instagram, we introduce @nina_more_eyewear, a new Insta page by the Spanish design brand Nina Mûr designed to “connect, support and share” across the optical/optician community.
The Spanish label, already present on Instagram with their brand page @nina_mur_eyewear, have launched a second page @nina_more_eyewear, with design and lifestyle inspiration specifically for the optical community. “We wanted to share our knowledge, inspiration and philosophy with passionate opticians,” Lorena Serrano, Co-founder and Creative Director told Eyestylist. “To inspire and empower them to improve their sales – and also to feel good. On this page we highlight sustainability, slow luxury, arts & crafts, design and innovation.”
The page curates a wide variety of imagery about design, display, creative composition, colour and eyewear inspiration based on the brand’s main values but translating them into ideas and tips about window dressing, set design and decoration, marketing concepts and elegant minimal ideas for presentation.
“We see this side of Nina as a new window on our work – beyond glasses,” explains Lorena. “It talks about our philosophy and our soul and our activities beyond eyewear as a creative agency. Here you will find more variety of content and more value, giving ‘more’ and sharing ‘more’.”
Nina Mûr is a refined wooden eyewear label – crated by Davide Fichera and Lorena Serrano and based in Madrid. The label focuses on independent production, high quality and sustainabile materials, innovation and craft. Visit @nina_more_eyewear by @nina_mur_eyewear on Instagram – and find out more at www.ninamur.com