Karavan Kids
These colourful, fun sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses for babies provide style and protection against the sun’s potentially harmful rays to developing eyes. Prunelle is an environmentally friendly product as well – the frames are made out of castor oil. Yes! Castor oil! The French based company wanted to make a “green” product that would be safe for baby’s fragile skin and eyes, and they have succeeded with this snappy little design. Spring hinges and silicone nose pads ensure that the frames stay in place. Further details: www.karavanproduction.com JG
Katya
Götti Switzerland
Separating me from acetate requires a really amazing frame. Sven Götti did it! The moment I tried on the Katya sunglasses, I realised the enjoyment to be found in wearing titanium. This is a feel-good frame – the high square shape is extremely graceful, and the lenses are a delicate shade of violet. An additional asset is the magical “Spin & Stow” temple, with its fully integrated hinge that can spin. A simple movement to revolve the temples, and the sunglasses become extremely flat and readily slide into a case or your pocket (see our January reviews, where we feature model Larry, we are both fans!). These frames are so enjoyable to wear, that getting accustomed to a new lens prescription was achieved without problem. Götti frames are available at the sleek, chic Lucerne boutique Götti & Niederer www.gotti-niederer.ch and in Barcelona at Soler Centre Visual www.solercentrevisual.com JG
Götti Switzerland www.gotti.ch
14298 / 3Quart
Christian Roth
Acetate is a versatile material for frames and the opportunity to use colourful handmade acetates is never wasted by designers Christian Roth and Eric Domege, who were two of the first spectacle creators to set trends (in the 1980s and 1990s) and dictate the look of the moment…this pair of sunglasses, pictured in orange, is also available in classic havana. It has a strong oversize square eye shape, and the acetate has a special striated pattern which gives it a unique handmade, vintage feel; the light orange tinted lenses which allow the eyes to be seen below them unite with the frame to create a style which is unusual and playful. CN www.christian-roth.com
303 W-Eye
Matteo Ragni
A new entry on the eyewear scene in Italy, which hasn’t yet reached the UK but it will soon. 303 has a pure shape and is made of sheets of wood and aluminium which may sound a bit surprising….but the use of these two materials together has been carefully studied to offer flexibility and a curvature in the frame that moulds to the wearer’s face. This style features the tropical timber Wenge; other woods featured in the collection are maple, ebony, cherry, walnut and there are more! A very precise artisanal production technique is used to make each model…and the varnishing and finishing is all done by hand.